Salisbury Zoo Commission
The Salisbury Zoo Commission is a 501 (c)(3) with the mission of raising funds to support the Zoo’s Education Department, the Marketing and Development Department and the Zoo’s conservation initiatives.
The Commissioners are appointed through the Mayor’s office with approval from the City Council. They provide oversight to the Zoo. The Zoo Commission was founded in 1976 and became a non-profit in 1984. The Zoo’s revenue programs; events, membership/sponsorship, education programs, gift shop/concession, produced by the Zoo Commission provide approximately 35% of the overall operating funds for the Zoo.
Zoo Commissioners
Ronald G. Alessi, Sr. – Chairman; R. Hardy Rudasill – Commissioner (at Large); Eric Pippen – Commissioner (at Large); Linda Wainer – FOSZ Representative; Karen Lutz – Docent Representative; James Maybury – Commissioner (at Large); George Mengason – Commissioner (at Large); Lee Beauchamp – Commissioner (at Large); Dave Harris – Commissioner (at Large); Brian Raygor – Commissioner (at Large); Dr. Clifton Griffin – Commissioner (at Large); Lorraine Bozman – Herb Society Representative
Delmarva Zoological Society
Delmarva Zoological Society (DZS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was incorporated in 2009. Its main goal is to raise money for capital projects for the Salisbury Zoo. For the past 9 years DZS has been working on “The Renew the Zoo” project. This project includes, the new animal health clinic, Australia and the William E. Morgan Conservation Center. Learn more here!
Salisbury Zoological Park Docent Association
To support the education, recreation, and conservation missions of the Salisbury Zoological Park. As tour guides, docents escort and provide educational information to scheduled groups at the Salisbury Zoological Park. They give educational talks on and off Zoo grounds and they rove throughout the Zoo to educate Zoo visitors about the Zoo’s animals. They help to mentor new docents as they go through their training.
Friends of the Salisbury Zoo (FOSZ) Board
The Friends of the Salisbury is a volunteer board and its purpose is to promote the mission of the Salisbury Zoo Commission. It is responsible for promoting membership with the Zoo and to provide volunteers to assist in planning and participating at Zoo events and support the Salisbury Zoo’s public relations. Assist in fund-raising activities.