Special to The
Truth
Toledo Zoo leaders recently met with community leaders
during a luncheon in June to discuss the progress made
with the Zoo’s Diversity Initiative. Representatives
from area minority organizations reviewed the Zoo’s work
to date and were encouraged to offer suggestions for
continued progress.
“We’ve made
progress in our diversity efforts, though we’re not
‘there’ yet,” said Dr. Anne Baker, executive director.
“Diversity is a journey.” The Zoo’s efforts have focused
on three key areas: recruitment/diversity awareness,
contracts/vendors and community outreach.
Addressing a
shortage of minority candidates involved in animal care
– one of the key hiring fields for the Zoo – a
partnership with Toledo Public Schools’ Natural Science
& Technology Center’s Animal Management program is
mentoring and encouraging young people to pursue careers
in animal care. Additional efforts to recruit minority
candidates include advertisements in local minority
publications and work with the Greater Toledo Urban
League. All Zoo employees attend mandatory diversity
awareness training.
Diversity
among the Zoo’s contract service providers is another
important aspect of the initiative. During the Zoo’s two
recent major construction projects, 14 to 18 percent of
the overall construction budget was spent with minority
contractors. Over the past four years, the Zoo’s use of
minority vendors for goods and supplies has steadily
increased.
Community
outreach, the third segment of the Zoo’s Diversity
Initiative, is critical to its long-term success. The
Zoo’s outreach efforts have involved the Boys & Girls
Club of Toledo and Head Start of Greater Toledo, in
addition to connecting ZOOTeen volunteers with the
Frederick Douglas Center, Sofia Quintero Arts and
Cultural Center, Bethany House and many more community
centers.
