A YEAR of FIRSTS 2007 Friends of the National Zoo Annual Report

As we celebrate FONZ’s 50th anniversary in 2008, we have the wonderful opportunity to reflect upon five decades of success in supporting the
Smithsonian’s National Zoo. It is also time to take stock of how we can do more to advance the Zoo and its animal care, conservation science, education,
and sustainability mission in our next half century. In 2007, we marked many firsts, from record revenues to new partnerships to the birth of our first giant
anteater pup. And, we used these opportunities to gain focus for the future: The FONZ Board of Directors began the year by devising a new Strategic Plan
that includes the mission statement you see on the preceding page and the following strategic goals:
1. Provide an Unsurpassed Zoo Visitor Experience
2. Expand the Partnership Relationship with the National Zoo and Other Partners
3. Achieve Organizational Excellence and Financial Strength
We’re excited about what we’ve accomplished and what lies ahead. Through our close partnership with and support for the National Zoo, we work to save
wildlife and habitats—irreplaceable riches on our unique planet. This can only be done if we inspire people to join us and make a difference. As you will
read in the following pages, we continued to advance on this front in 2007.
Meanwhile, the Zoo continues its move toward meeting Director John Berry’s goal of becoming the world’s finest zoo within a decade. Our plan is to
support this effort and in the process become the world’s finest zoo-support organization.
We hope you will gain a sense of our progress while leafing through this report. But don’t just take our word for it: Come experience the Zoo on foot or
online. Together we will help protect our planet’s stunning wildlife not just today, but for future generations.
Robert J. Lamb Executive Director, Friends of the National Zoo Robyn S. Kravit President, Friends of the National Zoo