The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park is one of few Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos in the United States that does not receive local or regional tax support for the zoo’s operating budget. This means the zoo is fully self-funded and that every dollar made here is directly reinvested into the Zoo. Economic and environmental sustainability are at the forefront of our operations.
Our Mission
To connect the community with wildlife and nature through engaging, interactive experiences.
Our Vision
To be THE regional destination that inspires appreciation and stewardship of wildlife and the natural world.
AZA Accreditation
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. The AZA has the most comprehensive and respected accreditation program for zoological parks and aquariums in the world. The AZA first began accrediting zoos and aquariums in 1974 and has been improving its program for 50 years. It’s widely considered the global “gold standard” for animal organizations, as AZA members place our highest priority on exceptional animal care. AZA standards cover every aspect of running a successful zoo or aquarium, but animal welfare is at the core of all standards. The accreditation requirements for ongoing animal welfare assessment are among the most challenging and encompassing available.
In short, to become an AZA accredited organization, a zoo or aquarium must adhere to the highest standards of animal care in the world. The organization must also dedicate resources to conservation and education, as well as operate with sustainable practices and ensure their staff are suitably trained and provided with opportunities for professional growth and development. Fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture are AZA accredited.
In 2021, the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park received the AZA’s Quarter Century Award, acknowledging 25 years of continuous accreditation. We value our accreditation status and are proud to be counted amongst world’s foremost leaders in animal care and welfare, conservation, and conservation education.
Learn More about the AZAGovernance
The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park is owned and operated by Wisconsin’s Brown County. We are one of several organizations overseen by the County’s Education & Recreation Committee. Other organizations include:
Location
We are located about 10 miles northwest of downtown Green Bay, surrounded by the Brown County Reforestation Camp of the Brown County Parks System. The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park and Reforestation Camp together function as a 1560-acre recreational area serving over half a million visitors every year. There are miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding, and other nature trails to delight every outdoor enthusiast year-round. Snowshoe and cross-country ski trails in the winter months provide miles of unbroken trails within the forest. Less than a half mile walk from the NEW Zoo’s entrance is also the Reforestation Camp Campground, which features an assortment of both rustic and full hookup camping sites with showers, restroom facilities, a playground, and more.
