facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
examined National Zoo facilities and identified areas that were failing as exhibit areas.
These were incorporated into a 10-year renewal plan in 2000.
D. Planning Policies
Over the years, planning policies and focus have changed with the National Zoo. Often
these alterations have been reflections of various directors’ ideals. They have also been
adjusted to resemble trends of an era, but most often planning policies have been updated
to make the most of new advances and knowledge about the animals exhibited at the
National Zoo and the world around them.
Washington, DC has a guiding planning document, The Comprehensive Plan for the
National Capital, which states goals, objectives, and planning policies to direct and
manage growth in Washington, DC. This plan contains both Federal Elements and
Washington, DC Elements.
The Federal Elements of the Comprehensive Plan are directed at existing and future
federal lands and facilities in the National Capital Region, and contain recommendations
for growth and development. These elements contain policy guidelines for: federal
facilities, federal employment, foreign missions and international organizations, parks
and open space, visitors to the Capital, natural environment, and preservation and historic
features. The National Capital Planning Commission administers the Federal Elements
(NCPC, 2004).
Ongoing Renewal Efforts
Prior to the development of the most recent Strategic Plan, renewal efforts have been
taking place throughout the National Zoo. Thematic zones have been used to blend the
National Zoo’s pre-existing priorities of education, research, and conservation into a
single interpretive experience that focuses on one animal or group of animals. Not only
do these exhibits provide an interactive and fun experience to the visitor, they prompt one
to ask questions and become involved in the research and conservation method (Cooper-
Lecky Architects, et al., 1986).
The Think Tank is one example of these animal programs. The Think Tank forces
visitors to ask themselves, “what is thought?”, while fostering conservation by teaching
one to view species as cognitive beings. The Amazonia Science Gallery has proven itself
an exceptional avenue to bridge the gap between scientist and visitor. Individuals get to
see the work being done by researchers and communicate with them directly to have a
greater concept of what daily work in the sciences is like. The Kid’s Farm exhibit
opened in 2004. Here children are able to see where the foods they eat every day come
from; this is a hands on exhibit that explains the abstract concept of species interaction.
The first phase of the Asia Trail is another program which recently opened to the public
(in late 2006) (SI/FONZ, 2006a). All animals in the Asia Trail Exhibit are endangered
species and the National Zoo is involved in interior situ and exterior situ research on
many of them.
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