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Le Blogue du Zoo - Zooblogue

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Environmental Vision

greenSince 2004, Granby Zoo has been integrating sound environmental practices into every aspect of its operations such as encouraging recycling, preserving drinking water and energy as well as purchasing nature-friendly materials. 

A new logo has been created to illustrate this environmental vision. Visitors will see it posted at several locations on the Zoo site. It will serve to identify the main steps taken to reduce drinking water or energy consumption, or to preserve the environment.  

 

2005 Finalist

In October 2005, Granby Zoo was a finalist for the environment excellence award in the large and medium enterprise category from the Fondation estrienne en environnement (FEE)  and the Conseil régional de l’environnement de l’Estrie (CREE).

 

CAZA Prize

The Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) underlined Granby Zoo’s work at its 2005 annual conference by awarding it a prize in the Exceptional Accomplishment category, for the 70% reduction in its drinking water consumption.

 

Non-Smoking Zoo

 

Granby Zoo is now a non-smoking zoo everywhere on its site with the exception of specially designated areas.

 

Water Preservation

 

Within the framework of its environmental action plan, Granby Zoo instituted a drinking water preservation and liquid waste emission reduction program in 2004. The fixed initial objective of a 40 % reduction in water consumption was largely surpassed, reaching 70%, the equivalent of the water consumption of 1,000 single-family homes.

All the animals living at the Zoo need drinking water in their diet and to survive. By the nature of its activities, Granby Zoo, including its water park, is a very big consumer of water. In fact, it was the second largest consumer of drinking water in the City of Granby (about 403,000m3) in 2003. Today, its water consumption is about 119,000 m3/year, representing a 70% reduction.  

 

Water Saving Steps (2004)

  • Installation of water meters
  • Evaluation of water consumption for each Zoo activity
  • Installation of new low-flow toilets and waterless urinals.
  • Installation of water warming bowls for the animals and pipe heaters
  • Detection and repair of several leaks on the aqueduct network
  • Instauration of new chemical parameters for the pools.
  • Better management of exterior water basins and filtration systems.

Water Saving Investments:

2004: $ 8,000

2005: $ 23,000

2006: $ 35,000 $ (predicted)

 

Energy Savings

In the upcoming years, Granby Zoo expects to continue improving its environmental performance by reducing its energy use (electricity, natural gas). Two thermal accumulators were installed during the construction of the new feline habitat and the veterinary hospital.  

This still experimental technology has been purchased by only six clients in Quebec. Eight machines are in use, including the two at Granby Zoo.

 

Energy Saving Steps (2005)

 

 
  • Energy studies for all existing Zoo buildings and those to come (electricity, natural gas, alternatives)
  • Installation of two off-peak thermal accumulators  
  • Geothermy
  • Solar water-heater

 

Anticipated Energy Saving Steps (2006)

 
  • Movement detectors to turn lights on in washrooms

 

Recycling

 

All the employees have been made aware of the virtues of recycling and efforts in that direction increase yearly. Here are a few of the small gestures adopted by our employees:

 

  • Choosing emails to send information
  • Reusing paper for note taking
  • Photocopying on both sides of the paper
  • Photocopying on both sides of the paper
  • Using washable utensils
  • Using their own coffee mug

 

Efforts are also made by our visitors as recycling bins now sit next to the garbage receptacles everywhere on the site. At Granby Zoo, one is never without the other.   

Recycled products:

  • Consigned containers: aluminium, plastic
  • Paper, carton, glass, metals, plastic
  • Empty printer cartridges
  • Cart batteries
  • Computer material
  • Used batteries  
  • Oil from fryers
  • Fluorescent lights
  • Aerosol cans
  • Used oil
  • Used solvents
  • Manure
  • Paint
  • Tires
  • Wood

 

Purchases Mindful of Nature

  • Organic soaps and grease removers. They are safe for the user, the animals and the environment.
  • Urban furniture and Amazoo water park games made of recycled plastics.
  • Perdure treated wood for cladding the new buildings. This new technique allows for the use of wood not meant for this usage (ex: poplar). The wood is heated to a very high degree (275° F) to damp proof it
  • Styrofoam is completely banned from our restaurants. In fact, all containers used by the restaurant sector are biodegradable. Those that aren’t are reusable.
  • Reusable recycled plastic bags.
  • The ventilation ducts of the new buildings are made of canvas, avoiding galvanized steel ducts whose fabrication method is more polluting.

In the coming years, Granby Zoo will pursue it course of becoming a little greener. And we are not short of ideas…

 

Ideas We Are Looking Into ¸

  • Using the extra water from the swimming pools to supply our above-ground water network.

  • Green roof

  • Retrieval of water from the gutters  

  • Solar wall

  • Solar energy  

  • Finding a use for putrescible waste from restaurants

  • Composting

  • Edible utensils

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