Conservation | Little Rock Zoo

Our Conservation Vision

The Little Rock Zoo positively impacts our world by educating about and participating in the conservation of wildlife, wild places, and natural resources.

At the Little Rock Zoo, our mission reaches far beyond the animals in our care. As Arkansas’s only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoo's and Aquariums (AZA), we are proud to be a leader in conservation—working both locally and globally to protect wildlife, wild places, and the natural resources we all depend on.

Our Conservation Priorities

We focus our efforts on five core priorities:

Work locally to protect wild places and species within Arkansas
Work globally by partnering with field conservation organizations and AZA SAFE programs across the world
Form connections by telling our stories clearly and directly
Engage the local community in conservation actions
Model resource conservation through recycling sustainability actions

How We Make an Impact

The Little Rock Zoo supports conservation by committing time, funds, and expertise to programs that make a measurable difference. We prioritize partnerships that benefit not only species and habitats but also the people who live alongside them. We make an impact by:

Partnering with trusted local and international conservation organizations
Regularly evaluating each partnership for responsible use of funds and alignment with our mission
Encouraging staff participation in both in-situ (field) and ex-situ (zoo-based) conservation programs
Reviewing TAG Regional Collection Plans (RCPs) to identify potential conservation opportunities
Maintaining long-term partnerships with organizations focused on Asian elephant conservation in alignment with AZA standards
Participating in AZA Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) by leading the SAFE Sloth Bear program and supporting additional AZA SAFE initiatives

Our Wildlife Conservation Strategy

We follow a tiered approach to funding and supporting conservation partners:

Tier 1: Legacy Partners

These long-term partners (5+ years) represent a variety of species—mammals, birds, and reptiles—and show consistent progress and communication. Zoo staff are deeply engaged through site visits, AZA programs, and shared projects.

Tier 2: Champion Partners

These partners align with our conservation goals and have proven impact. They have either grown from Tier 3 or are past partners with whom we’ve reengaged based on performance and alignment.

Tier 3: Special Projects

This tier includes newer or smaller organizations we support through short-term funding or special initiatives (typically $1,000–$1,500). These partnerships may grow over time into higher tiers.

AZA Conservation Partnerships

This includes AZA Species Survival Plans (SSPs) and SAFE Programs that we support in various ways, including serving on committees, financial support, and in-kind support.

Each partnership is reviewed regularly, and decisions are made to renew, upgrade, or rotate funding based on results and alignment with our mission. We also maintain an “emergency fund” for partners experiencing emergencies or unexpected costs. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

The Zoo is committed to improving green practices throughout our grounds. The Zoo promotes a conservation culture on grounds which makes conservation accessible to everyone. The Zoo accomplishes this goal by:

Support an active Green Team Committee and a Zoo-wide Sustainability Plan
Implement and review the Zoo’s Plastics & Sustainability Policy
Highlight green initiatives for both guests and staff
Explore and incorporate green building practices into new construction
Investigating opportunities for grants for Zoo facilities
Partner with Little Rock-based groups on eco-friendly community programs

From Vision to Action

At the Little Rock Zoo, conservation starts with a commitment—and grows into action. From protecting native Arkansas wildlife like the Eastern Collared Lizard to championing recycling efforts that reduce waste and protect habitats, we’re turning our mission into measurable impact.

Every species matters, and every action counts. Learn more about our local conservation initiatives and find out how you can make a difference—right here at home.

Eastern Collared Lizard Conservation

Recycling Initiatives

The Wildest Value in Town!

Little Rock Zoo Memberships

Family Fun at the Zoo!

Memberships support the Zoo's efforts to promote conservation and education. It is the perfect way to benefit humans and animals, alike!