Woodland Park Zoo- PRESS RELEASE
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Editor note: To arrange interviews with Deborah Jensen or zoo staff, please call the zoo’s media line at 206.684.4838. Jensen is available for phone interviews as follows: Wednesday, February 27, 4:00-6:00 p.m. (PST); Thursday, February 28, noon-3:00 p.m. (PST); Friday, March 1, noon-3:00 p.m. (PST) SEATTLE - The Woodland Park Zoological Society today selected Deborah Jensen as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Woodland Park Zoo. Jensen, a nationally recognized conservation scientist, will be responsible for overall management of the 92-acre, award-winning zoo, including animal management, conservation programs throughout the world, education, research, physical improvements, marketing and operations. She will join the zoo’s team April 29. Jensen’s
selection culminates a two-year nationwide search. “Her experience
and background are ideally suited to the zoo’s mission of conservation
and education,” notes Maggie Walker, Zoo Society Board Co-Chair.
“She has excellent communication and visionary leadership skills
- essential qualities as the zoo moves into the next decade,” adds
Walker. Dale Sperling, Zoo Society Search Committee Chair, says, “Deborah was our top choice. We sought an individual with enthusiasm for the mission of the zoo and with broad experience in conservation leadership and nonprofit management.” Jensen served as Vice-President, Conservation Science Division, at The Nature Conservancy’s worldwide office in Arlington, VA. A forest ecologist by training, she brings to the zoo more than 20 years of experience in conservation and environmental science administration. She succeeds Zoo Society Executive Director/CEO Dave Towne, who served as Zoo Director from 1984 until 2000, and current Zoo Director Mike Waller, whose leadership at the zoo spans 16 years. Both executives are retiring this year and will remain available to assist with the transition of the new President. “Under the leadership of Dave Towne and Mike Waller,” adds Sperling, “the zoo has become a premier institution. We now have an opportunity to take the zoo to even higher levels with Jensen - a top-flight scientist and an excellent manager and administrator. She is the type of leader needed to take this world-class zoo to the next level.” “I am both honored and thrilled to join the highly dedicated and talented team at Woodland Park Zoo,” says Jensen. “Woodland Park Zoo has long been recognized as one of the best zoos in the world. It also is clearly cherished by the community, and is an important resource for students and teachers throughout the region in learning about conservation and biodiversity.” During her eight-year tenure at The Nature Conservancy, Jensen spearheaded science programs through a multi-year change process that transformed scientific activities from focusing on small preserves for endangered species to conserving networks of large landscapes and ecosystems. She managed a 200-person division with an annual budget of $13 million. While leading the science programs, she started the first nationwide post-doctoral conservation research program, the David H. Smith Fellows program, which will support 50 researchers this decade. A nationally recognized spokesperson on biodiversity and conservation, she is President-elect of the Society for Conservation Biology. She received a Ph.D., M.S. and B.A. from the University of California-Berkeley. Additionally, she has authored or co-authored more than 30 technical publications. Jensen is an avid outdoorswoman and looks forward to enjoying sea kayaking, skiing and hiking in the Seattle area. She is married with a 5-year-old daughter. The selection of Jensen comes on the heels of a unified management agreement approved this past December by Seattle’s City Council. The 20-year agreement will shift the zoo’s City management and operations to the Zoo Society. The City, which will retain ownership of the zoo, will continue to provide public funding, including the $2.5 million earmarked for the zoo each year by the Pro Parks Levy. In support of the agreement, the Zoo Society, which has raised more than $50 million over the past decade for new zoo exhibits and educational programs, will continue to provide ongoing annual support for zoo operations. Additionally, the nonprofit organization is committed to generating another $60 million for ongoing needs for animal exhibits, education programs and support facilities. Jensen’s tenure begins as the zoo embarks on the next phase outlined by Zoo Commission II in 1995 - to address needed improvements for animals, visitors and neighbors while expanding the reach and impact of the zoo’s conservation and education programs. “Zoos are key to building a conservation ethic in the next generation,” says Jensen, “and enable visitors to experience the majesty of wild animals and wild places while learning about the conservation challenges society faces. Woodland Park Zoo provides the citizens of Seattle with world-class educational and recreational experiences; over the next years, the zoo will build on those strengths and expand its contributions to conservation and education.” Exciting improvements are prescribed in the zoo’s updated Long-Range Plan. While the original 1976 LRP pioneered state-of-the-art zoo exhibitry, the updated plan aims to revolutionize how people use these exhibits as well as the rest of the zoo. The new plan places more emphasis on achieving a broadened public education mission on wildlife conservation and visitor services, including expanded on-site visitor parking. New physical developments include completion of long-needed new facilities for jaguars, African wild dogs and tigers. The zoo will open its African wild dog exhibit this summer. The proposed Long-Range Plan 2002 and Final Environmental Impact Statement are available for public review on the zoo’s Web site. Search Commitee Members:
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