Strengthen the future.
Like you, our passion for wildlife and nature is unwavering. As the nonprofit fundraising partner of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, The Zoo Society helps turn community passion into action.
We raise essential funds to help care for over 350 species—from inquisitive octopuses to mighty muskox. This support also helps children across Pierce County access the zoo through scholarships, camps, and educational programs that ignite a lifelong love for nature.
Together, we strengthen the connection between people and animals by making sure the zoo continues to thrive today and for future generations.
The Zoo Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds exclusively to support Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, WA. While the zoo is operated by Parks Tacoma, we are its philanthropic engine helping fuel innovation, elevate care, and expand access through community support.
Through donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, and events, we invest in:
- Expert veterinary care and daily animal enrichment
- Conservation projects from the Puget Sound to Southeast Asia
- Educational experiences and youth scholarships
- Innovative exhibits and behind-the-scenes research
To advance the animal care, access, education, and conservation mission of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium by engaging the community, securing resources, and inspiring lifelong connections with wildlife.
Our Mission
A community where people of all ages and backgrounds are connected to wildlife and the botanical world, inspired by conservation, and invested in a thriving zoo for generations to come.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest. The 29-acre zoological park was established in 1905 and attracts about 700,000 visitors a year. It is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), which ensure rigorously high standards of animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education, and more. The zoo sits within the 700-acre Point Defiance Park, offering spectacular views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is operated by Parks Tacoma, the oldest independent park district in Washington.
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– President – Larry Clark Human Resource Consultant
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– Vice President – Kati O’Brien Non-Profit Consultant
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– Treasurer – Cameron Moorehead Columbia Bank
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– Secretary – Patricia Schenk Community Volunteer
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– Past President – Jacque Hoflich Community Volunteer
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Melissa Ashton Teacher – Puyallup School District
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Samantha Baxley COO – Cyclone Services
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Judith Bell Community Volunteer
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Adrienne Brand Community Volunteer
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Kim Burkes Union Avenue Compounding Pharmacy
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Benjamin Constance, MD, MBA Washington Emergency Care Physicians
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John Guadnola Attorney
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Mark Hansen Hinshaw’s Acura
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Dave Mets VP of Flight Operations – Alaska Airlines
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Pete Reyes Psychiatric Nurse
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Bri Simpson Manager of Sales and Customer Service – REI
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Ruth Erwin-Svoboda Principal – Central Park Elementary
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Garret Sweet Community Volunteer
No. While the zoo functions under the umbrella of Parks Tacoma, we raise funds as a separate nonprofit partner to support the zoo’s mission.
Your gift supports vital zoo programs including animal care, conservation efforts, youth education, field trips, and more.
Yes. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your donations to The Zoo Society are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Through event sponsorships, community grants and matching gifts. Reach out to us to explore custom opportunities.
