Mission

The mission and vision of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is dedicated to creating adventure, conveying knowledge, conserving nature, and serving the community.

With the addition of our fourth pillar to our Mission Statement, Serving Community, we recognize the responsibility to partner with diverse and economically challenged communities in our daily work.
 

Diversity & Inclusion 

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden CELEBRATES the diversity of our plants & animals, staff, visitors, and community. We believe the Zoo should be a place where everyone can be themselves. We strive for the Zoo to be a place where differences are recognized, welcomed, and celebrated through our culture, processes, programs, and very presence in the community.
 

We ACKNOWLEDGE that inequity is an issue we must confront and address. We recognize that some communities face barriers that limit engagement with the Zoo and our mission. We are working to understand these barriers and take actions that will support systemic change to benefit everyone.
 

We COMMIT to openness and transparency. We will seek out and listen to diverse voices to help us shape our role in the community and as an advocate for social and environmental justice. Recognizing that we cannot achieve our mission without a central focus on equity, we commit to an intentional path forward.
 

Core Values – What We Believe/How We Act

Achieving our mission requires great people who actively demonstrate the following values & behaviors:

• Collaborative Relationships
  • Promotes pro-active, open communication across all levels/departments
  • Actively listens to and values others’ questions, concerns, and ideas
  • Meets face-to-face and fosters open discussions
• Positvitety & Energy 
  • Displays a positive attitude under all circumstances
  • Is passionate and energetic
  • Makes time to celebrate success
• Accountability, Mutual Trust & Respect 
  • Ensures expectations are well understood and holds self and others accountable
  • Holds self to high standards and always tries to do the right thing
  • Treats others with respect
  • Practices DWYSYWD (Do what you say you will do)
  • Acknowledges mistakes and learns from them
  • Takes ownership of problems/projects and shepherds the process to resolution
• Progressive Thinking 
  • Challenges the status quo in respectful and productive ways
  • Is a self-directed learner and strives to continuously further own knowledge
  • Demonstrates relentless pursuit for improvement
  • Thinks creatively; is willing to look for new and innovative ways to do things
  • Learns from others, both internally and externally
• Pride, Passion, & a Sense of Ownership 
  • Demonstrates respect and care for the living collection
  • Goes the extra mile to ensure the visitor has a great experience every visit
  • Is always an advocate for the Zoo with all audiences
  • Shows strong personal ownership of the Zoo and careful stewardship of its resources.