Annual Report 2014 - Assiniboine Park Conservancy

Transcription

Annual Report 2014
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ASSINIBOINE PARK CONSERVANCY INC.
2014 Annual Report
2014 Annual Report
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1Welcome
2 Message from the Chair of the Board
3 Message from the President and CEO
4 Capital Development
5 New Entities
9 Refurbishment
11 Level of Care
14Imagine a Place Campaign
16 Programs & Services
17 Connecting with the Community
20 Conservation & Research
22 Staff & Volunteer Resources
WELCOME!
24 Financial Statements
Hartley Richardson, Chair, APC Board of Directors
and Margaret Redmond, APC President and CEO.
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2014 Annual Report
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Message from the
Chair of the Board
Message from the
President and CEO
When the Assiniboine Park Conservancy launched the Imagine a Place Campaign and set out to raise
$200 million to fund the redevelopment of the Park and Zoo, we had lofty goals and a bold vision.
After all, we are responsible for breathing new life into one of Winnipeg’s most cherished and valuable
community assets.
For the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, 2014 was a remarkable year; a year marked by a string of amazing
achievements, incredible progress, and defining moments in the history of the Park and Zoo.
In the first phase of the campaign, we revitalized the Heart of the
Park. In the second phase, we are continuing to work which will
modernize and give new purpose to the Assiniboine Park Zoo. The
opening of the Journey to Churchill exhibit on July 3, 2014, was an
integral milestone in the redevelopment and a magical day that I
will never forget.
Coming out of one of the coldest winters on record in Manitoba,
the arrival of spring brought welcome relief and a visit by Their Royal
Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. The
highlight of the visit was the opportunity to give Prince Charles a
preview of the Journey to Churchill exhibit that would open just
a few weeks later.
Just a few hours before the official opening of the exhibit, I was
standing in the Gateway to the Arctic building as a group of local
media came through on a tour. As they stood in the underwater
viewing tunnels known as the Sea Ice Passage, a small polar bear face
and paws suddenly broke through the surface of the water. Everyone
froze and waited breathlessly, whispering words of encouragement.
And then it happened. Kaska dove in and the crowd erupted with
cheers, cameras documenting this incredible moment for the world
to see. A second bear followed moments later and we all marvelled
at the sight of these beautiful bears swimming gracefully around us.
This was the moment we had been waiting for and the experience
we had been talking about for so long.
We have reached the midway point in our redevelopment plan,
and there is more to come. With projects like Journey to Churchill
we have set the bar high and intend to keep it there as we turn our
attention to new developments.
The most significant of these is a new plant-based cultural attraction
in the southeast corner of the Park. Like Journey to Churchill, this new
facility will be world-class. It will house stunning displays of exotic
plants from around the globe and explore the connections between
plants, people, and cultures.
Over 4.5 million people visit Assiniboine Park each year. It is common
ground for people from all walks of life and integral to the quality of
life we enjoy in Winnipeg.
With the support of our government partners, foundations, and
private donors, we have made great progress. Thank you for your
support – we would not be where we are today without you.
Hartley T. Richardson
Chair, APC Board of Directors & Imagine a Place Campaign
The Royal Tour was followed by a whirlwind of activity and
preparation for the summer ahead. When we closed the Zoo for
10 days to put the finishing touches on Journey to Churchill, it was
all hands on deck. Staff and volunteers rallied and pulled out all
the stops to get the job done.
On July 3, we re-opened the Zoo and invited the world to discover
the magic of the north in the heart of the continent. This momentous
day kicked off another incredible summer at the Park.
The Red River Co-op Summer Entertainment Series returned with
a stellar line-up of free music, art, and movies in the Park. We
hosted an event for more than 200 tour operators and travel writers
from around the world and gave 400 children and families facing
health and/or socio-economic challenges a once-in-a-lifetime Zoo
experience at the inaugural Wildest Dreams event. As summer came
to a close, we held the first ever Sound & Sky Benefit Concert for the
Park featuring Blue Rodeo and Spirit of the West.
The remainder of the year was highlighted by the arrival of Blizzard
and Star, two orphaned polar bear cubs from northern Manitoba, the
announcement of another new exhibit at the Zoo – the McFeetors
Heavy Horse Centre – which will open in the summer of 2015, and
the Home for the Holidays Show at the Conservatory.
The efforts of so many are reflected in these moments. We achieved
these milestones as a team and each department carried their
share of the load at different times. The entire Assiniboine Park
Conservancy family – Board members, staff, volunteers, and donors
– should feel profound pride in what we have given this community
and each and every visitor to Assiniboine Park and Zoo.
What we have achieved together as an organization and
as a community is extraordinary. And for that, you have my
heartfelt thanks.
Margaret Redmond
President and CEO, Assiniboine Park Conservancy
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New Entities
CAPITAL
DEVELOPMENT
Since the
International
Polar Bear
Conservation Centre
(IPBCC) opened,
four orphaned cubs
and one juvenile
polar bear have
been successfully
transitioned from
life in the wild to
life in a zoological
environment. Three
of these bears
are now living in
Journey to Churchill
as ambassadors Journey to Churchill
for their species. On July 3, 2014, the highlyThe other two will anticipated Journey to Churchill
remain at the IPBCC exhibit opened at Assiniboine
until they are big Park Zoo following opening
ceremonies attended by
enough to be safely representatives of all three levels
integrated with the of government, community
larger bears. leaders, donors, media, and
invited guests.
Journey to Churchill features
expansive new polar bear,
Arctic fox, wolf, muskox,
caribou, snowy owl and seal
habitats. Interactive interpretive
components include a short
film experience inside what is
presently Manitoba’s largest
360-degree theatre, incredible
underwater viewing tunnels,
and more.
The exhibit is also home to
the International Polar Bear
Conservation Centre (IPBCC),
a state-of-the-art facility that
allows the Assiniboine Park Zoo
to more actively contribute
to environmental and wildlife
education, research, and
conservation. The IPBCC, which
opened in January 2012, also
houses Canada’s only transition
centre for orphaned and at-risk
polar bears made possible
through a unique partnership
with Manitoba Conservation and
Water Stewardship.
The Journey to Churchill
exhibit has breathed new
life into a Zoo that was in
desperate need of repair. It has
transformed it into a world-class
destination that now attracts
tourists, travel writers, and
visitors from around the globe.
Journey to Churchill represents
an entirely new experience
that is uniquely Manitoban and
reflects incredibly well on our
city and province.
The opening of the Journey to
Churchill exhibit is a significant
milestone in achieving the
Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s
vision for the Zoo. It will move
away from a largely un-themed
animal collection to integrated
experiences organized into
biogeographic zones with
the main focus on native
species and the recreation and
celebration of Manitoba wildlife,
geography, and culture.
Journey to Churchill was made
possible with $34 million in
support from the Province of
Manitoba, $28.1 million from the
City of Winnipeg, and private
sector support from individuals,
families, foundations, and
corporate donors.
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New Zoo Entrance
The Zoo’s new entrance, which
also opened on July 3, 2014, was
designed to accommodate a
higher volume of Zoo visitors,
enhance visitor services and
create a first impression that sets
the tone for an entirely new Zoo
experience. The new building
and amenities represent
a dramatic and essential
improvement over previous
admission facilities.
The 11,410-square-foot, multipurpose facility is located just
east of the old Zoo entrance on
Roblin Boulevard. It features a
welcoming plaza, a dedicated
visitor services centre, and
accessible washrooms. A new
gift shop, appropriately named
Wild Things Unique Gifts is
accessible to shoppers with
or without Zoo admission.
To better serve visitors, the new
entrance houses a broad ticket
counter, four self-serve ticket
kiosks to help ease line-ups,
and a separate membership
services area. The Assiniboine
Park Conservancy also launched
a new online web store where
visitors can purchase tickets
in advance.
Horticultural elements
surrounding the new facility
are inspired by the natural prairie
and wetland areas and forests
of Manitoba. The new entrance
also features energy efficient
LED light fixtures and has been
designed to take advantage
of natural light through
expansive windows.
2014 Annual Report
The new Zoo entrance was the recipient of a
2014 City of Winnipeg Access Award. Universal
accessibility was one of the key design
objectives for the new entrance. Accessibility
features include:
• Gently sloped landscaping and accessible
parking with a dedicated drop-off/
pick-up zone.
• Automatic doors for all public spaces.
• Millwork for ticket booth, guest services and
retail area accommodates wheelchair visitors
and people of all heights.
• Accessible washrooms for visitors
and staff.
• Use of textures and materials selection that
allows for intuitive way-finding.
Geothermal
Energy System
The Zoo’s new Journey to
Churchill exhibit features a
number of sustainable design
and operational features that are
invisible to Zoo visitors including
a new geothermal energy
system that meets 100% of
the heating and cooling needs
of the exhibit.
The geothermal energy is
conducted by a closed loop
system of plastic pipes under
the Zoo’s parking lot that
circulates a methanol mixture.
This transfers heat from the
earth into buildings in winter
and during the summer, moves
heat from the buildings back
into the earth.
The new district geothermal
energy system provides a clean
and renewable energy source
for four detached buildings in
Journey to Churchill:
• Gateway to Arctic building
• Tundra Grill
• water treatment complex
• the International Polar Bear
Conservation Centre.
The Assiniboine Park
Conservancy (APC) selected
geothermal energy over
fossil-fuel options as part of
our commitment to addressing
climate change and being a
model for modern conservation
practices. APC will also benefit
from a significant reduction
in long-term energy costs for
the exhibit.
The Assiniboine Park Zoo’s
Geothermal Energy System
was funded in part by a
$105,160 grant from the
Manitoba Geothermal
Energy Incentive Program.
New Tiger Enclosure
In February, the Zoo completed
construction of a spacious new
habitat that offers an abundance
of natural shade and room to
roam for the Zoo’s Amur tigers.
At over 26,000 square feet,
the enclosure is nearly nine
times larger than the old tiger
habitat. The new enclosure also
features an area for Positive
Reinforcement Training sessions,
allowing visitors to learn about
Amur tigers and experience
how the husbandry of these
animals is managed. In August,
a clay-lined pool was added to
the exhibit.
New Animals
Amur Tigers
In January, the Zoo welcomed
two male Amur tiger cubs,
brothers Samkha and Vasili,
from the Calgary Zoo. The cubs
were moved to Winnipeg on
a recommendation from the
Species Survival Plan (SSP)
based on their potential for
future breeding. The Assiniboine
Park Zoo is a founding member
of the Amur tiger Species
Survival Program, which
collates the collection of tigers
in North America and matches
pairs to ensure the most diverse
genetics possible.
Harbour Seals
The opening of Journey to
Churchill marked the addition of
harbour seals to the Zoo’s animal
collection. Seals and other
marine animals are an important
part of the northern ecosystem
represented in Journey to
Churchill. While ringed seals
are the primary food source for
polar bears in the wild, Hudson
Bay is home to a number of seal
species, including harbour seals.
As the seal pool has room for
up to eight animals, the Zoo is
actively pursuing opportunities
to acquire more seals.
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Refurbishment
2014 was a year where extensive refurbishments were made all across
Assiniboine Park and Zoo resulting from the funding provided by the
City of Winnipeg.
Wolves
Wolves weren’t part of the
original vision for Journey to
Churchill, but the late additions
have been a huge hit with Zoo
visitors. The enclosure where the
Zoo’s five wolves currently reside
was initially intended for polar
bears. However, with two other
dedicated polar bear enclosures,
the Zoo had room for another
northern animal species and
wolves were a natural fit.
The Zoo’s timber (grey) wolf
pack includes one female and
four males. Though originally
intended to be a short-term
addition, we are extending their
stay and visitors will be able to
see the wolves in Journey to
Churchill for at least another year
and maybe longer.
Without her protection and
the necessary survival skills, the
cubs had no chance of survival
and Manitoba Conservation and
Water Stewardship determined
the most appropriate course of
action was to relocate the bears
to the International Polar Bear
Conservation Centre (IPBCC).
The cubs’ names – Blizzard and
Star – were selected through
an online Facebook poll. The
siblings will eventually move into
the Journey to Churchill exhibit
where they will be gradually
integrated with the Zoo’s other
polar bears: Hudson, Storm,
Kaska and Aurora.
Polar Bears
In September, two polar bear
cubs were spotted by helicopter
near a well-known denning
area along the Hudson Bay
coastline. Despite an extensive
search, efforts to find the cubs’
mother were unsuccessful.
Red Pandas
In 2014, the Zoo continued
to be an active participant
in the Species Survival Plan
(SSP) for red pandas, a species
identified as vulnerable by
the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
mainly due to habitat loss
in Southeast Asia. The Zoo’s
breeding female gave birth
to two male cubs in June. In
addition, three adult red pandas
were transferred to the Zoo; a
male and female pair from the
Zoo de Granby in Quebec, and
a male from a zoological facility
in Japan.
Cougar
In early December, the
Assiniboine Park Zoo accepted
a young female cougar cub
from the Calgary Wildlife
Rehabilitation Society after
she was found orphaned and
struggling to survive on her
own in the wild. Since the Zoo
is already home to two adult
cougars, a temporary exhibit
space has been created for the
new cub at the north end of
the Zoo while we look for a
home for her at another zoo
where she will hopefully be able
to participate in the Species
Survival Program.
AZA Accreditation
In September, following a
rigorous inspection and review
process, the Assiniboine Park
Zoo was granted accreditation
by the Association of Zoos &
Aquariums (AZA). Only four
other Zoos in Canada currently
hold AZA accreditation,
along with some of the most
recognized and respected
zoological organizations in the
world. Accreditation sends a
message to our visitors and the
international zoo community
that we are fully committed to
upholding the highest standards
for animal care, conservation,
and education now and in the
future. It will open doors to
new partnerships and initiatives
that allow us to make a real
difference in the conservation of
at-risk animal species.
In order to meet Association
of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
and Canadian Association of
Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA)
exacting standards for animal
facilities during this year’s
certification process extensive
refurbishment was undertaken
all across the Zoo.
Zoo Hospital and
Animal Care Facility
The Zoo Hospital and Animal
Care Facility received an
$800,000 investment in
renovations in 2014. This
investment in the aging
veterinarian facility includes
upgrades to the building’s
exterior envelope in particular
the roof and exterior siding
where additional insulation
was added to improve overall
efficiency. The interior of the
building dedicated to animal
care was completely refreshed
with new lighting and HVAC
equipment as well as an
overhaul to the surgical suite and
the creation of a room dedicated
to diagnostics.
Native Bird Building
At the Native Bird building new
exterior cladding was added
and the entire exterior exhibit
was re-landscaped and new
mesh was installed throughout.
This was accompanied by
new interpretive signage and
upgrades to the building’s
electrical room which have
made for a welcoming space
for the great grey owls and the
burrowing owls that call this
exhibit home.
Kinsmen Discovery
Centre
In the Kinsmen Discovery
Centre, the birds in flight room
was completely refreshed and
landscaped offering a bright
new airy space for visitors to
get an unobstructed view.
Additionally much of the
building was painted and new
interpretive signage installed
to offer greater learning
opportunities for visitors when
viewing the many wonderful
animals such as the meerkat
and sloth.
Toucan Ridge
Building on the major
renovations that were
completed in 2011, in 2014
additional work was undertaken
around the perimeter of the
building’s to install new gutters
and downspouts to ensure
water is directed away from the
buildings foundation and out of
the exterior exhibits.
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Level of Care
Forest
Management
Nature Playground
Picnic Shelter
East Gate Building
Formerly the main Zoo entrance
and gift shop, the east gate
building was renovated in 2013
to accommodate a temporary
penguin exhibit and updated
and refreshed again in 2014
to house the Assinboine Park
Conservancy’s Education
Programming and Volunteer
Resources Departments. The
building received a new roof and
new LED lighting throughout.
The Nature Playground picnic
shelter has become a favourite
spot for many families to enjoy
an afternoon meal. In 2014, the
shelter was repainted along
with many of the picnic tables
found throughout the Park and
Zoo. Some of the work in this
refurbishment exercise was
accomplished by the many
dedicated APC volunteers who
so generously offer their time.
Zoo Commissary
The Zoo Commissary is the
main food distribution and
handling facility for all animal
feed and it too was in need of
upgrades in 2014. Consequently
the large walk-in cooler and
freezer were rebuilt, the entire
building was painted, and
lighting upgraded allowing
the building to continue to be
maintained as a sanitary animal
food handling facility.
A Forest Management Plan for
Assiniboine Park was developed
in 2011 to maintain the overall
health of Assiniboine Park’s
forests and provide a diverse
habitat for animal species
throughout the seasons.
The plan includes ongoing
monitoring of overall forest
health, the removal of invasive
species as needed, and strategic
new plantings throughout
the nearly 300 acre park. The
following steps were taken
in 2014 to ensure that future
generations can experience all
of the benefits of the forest
within the Park enjoyed by
today’s visitors.
• More than 3,000 trees,
largely spruce and a number
of species to represent
the northern Manitoba
landscape, were planted
in the Journey to Churchill
exhibit in Assiniboine
Park Zoo.
• New plantings in the Park
were diversified with
multiple tree species
and cultivars, ensuring
a more healthy and
sustainable mixture of
trees into the future.
• Invasive plant removal
continued throughout
the Park, with the removal
of non-native species such
as Eurasian Buckthorn in
the understory to allow
the surrounding native trees
to thrive and grow to their
full potential.
• The Riparian Forest
Restoration project
continued with the
revegetation of plant
materials, giving the natural
process of regeneration a
helping hand and reducing
the time required for the
return to a mature and
healthy ecosystem.
• Shade trees of various
species were strategically
planted within the Zoo to
provide shade and desirable
microclimates within animal
exhibits and in public areas.
• The Terry Fox trail was
planted with over 100 native
and ornamental trees. In
the coming year native
herbaceous material will be
added to the area.
• Thanks to a grant from
Manitoba Hydro for forest
restoration, 172 trees and
understory plants were
planted around the steam
train. This project will
continue in 2015 with a total
of 400 trees chosen for their
ability to be a habitat or a
food source for birds and
butterflies, increasing the
biodiversity of this forest.
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Landscape Upgrades
Throughout the spring and
summer of 2014, the horticulture
and grounds teams worked
together to upgrade a number
of gardens throughout the Park
and Zoo, giving them a fresh
look for the year. The Portage
Avenue interface was renovated
by upgrading the shrub and
perennial beds. This provided
for a much more attractive
2014 Annual Report
Zoo, the stonework in the shrub
and flower beds at the entrance
to Toucan Ridge was realigned
and the beds were then filled
with new plantings.
Pathway Improvements
Over the years, many of the
pathways within the Assiniboine
Park Zoo had become
deteriorated and improvements
were required to fix some of
the crumbling areas. Areas that
were repaved in 2014 include
inside the main entrance to
the Zoo, and the pathways
surrounding Toucan Ridge, the
North American animals section,
and near the snow leopard
enclosure. A new pathway was
added that links the former
East Gate parking lot to the Zoo
parking lot making that area
of the Park more accessible to
visitors travelling by foot or by
bike. Additional pathway work
will continue throughout 2015.
Horticultural Highlights
entrance to the Park for visitors
arriving from Portage Avenue. In
addition, upgrades were made
to all of the shrub beds in the
Formal Gardens by cleaning up
the shrub materials and proving
fresh mulch into all the beds,
allowing for a much cleaner
look. Within the Assiniboine Park
Conservancy joined the
Canadian Garden Council (CGC)
in 2014. This relatively young
organization is responsible for
promoting public gardens and
garden-related activities across
Canada. The CGC is comprised
of member gardens from across
the country and positions
Assiniboine Park as one of
Canada’s leading public gardens.
Canada’s Garden Day, an initiative organized by the Canadian
Garden Council, was celebrated
on June 13, 2014 in public
gardens throughout the country
with a variety of activities for
garden enthusiasts, families,
schools and tourists. APC
celebrated the day by partnering
with the Canadian Peony Society
and hosting the National Peony
Show at the Conservatory. This
national event attracted competitors from across the country
vying for the best in show prize.
For the first time, APC partnered
with the Winnipeg Bulb Project.
When the tulips finished blooming in the Leo Mol Sculpture
Garden, APC staff and volunteers
worked together to harvest the
bulbs and prepare them for storage. The bulbs were then given
to the Winnipeg Bulb Project
in the fall of 2014 and were
redistributed to families and
individuals for urban greening
projects.
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ASSINIBOINE
ASSINIBOINE
PARK
PARK
CONSERVANCY
CONSERVANCY
INC.
2012
2014
Annual
Annual
Report
Report
Imagine a Place
2014 Campaign News
Major Funding Announcements
In 2009, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy unveiled a bold redevelopment
plan that is breathing new life into Assiniboine Park and Zoo. In just a few
short years, with the support of the private and public sectors, APC has
added tremendous value to Winnipeg’s historic Assiniboine Park. By building
innovative facilities, instituting operational disciplines, and developing
creative and informative programming, the Park continues to gain a
reputation as a world-class destination.
The goal of the Imagine a Place
Campaign is to raise $200 million
to fund this redevelopment,
which will be completed in
several phases. The first phase
focused on renewal and
investment in the Heart of the
Park. In the second phase, the
focus shifted to the revitalization
and modernization of
Assiniboine Park Zoo. A highlight
of this phase was the opening
of the redevelopment’s
signature exhibit, Journey
to Churchill, in July 2014.
In the next phase of the
redevelopment, APC has the
opportunity to further capture
the imagination of Manitobans,
Canadians, and visitors from all
corners of the globe by offering
inspiring experiences in natural
environments found beyond
the climate of the prairies, while
celebrating the beauty of our
own geography and climate.
We will shift our focus from the
animal kingdom to the lifesustaining world of plants with
the proposed development of an
iconic new horticultural themed
attraction and gardens in the
southeast corner of the Park.
A total of $9.3 million was raised from the
private sector in 2014 with a cumulative total
of $130 million raised to date from both the
private and public sectors.
May 28
July 17
September 10
September 24
Silver Jeans Co.™, a division
of Western Glove Works, a
family-owned business that has
produced quality denim products
for 93 years, announced a gift
of $500,000. The donation has
been recognized in the Snowy
Owl Habitat within the 10-acre
Journey to Churchill exhibit. The
spacious exhibit has space for 10
– 12 owls, leaving room for future
hatchlings that may come as a
result of the Zoo’s participation in
a Species Survival Plan.
Desjardins Insurance announced
a $500,000 donation toward
the revitalization of the
Park’s extensive network of
pathways used by thousands
of runners, walkers, and cyclists
throughout the year. The plan
for the revitalization of the Park’s
pathways includes maintenance
and improvement of existing
pathways, enhanced accessibility,
and new pathways in some
areas of the Park. The gift is the
largest single donation Desjardins
has made in Western Canada.
Western Financial Group,
a subsidiary of the Desjardins
Group, also supported the capital
campaign with a gift of $100,000.
Ray McFeetors, former CEO and
Chairman of Great-West Lifeco,
announced a gift of $2 million to
establish the McFeetors Heavy
Horse Centre at the Zoo. The new
exhibit will take visitors back to
a time in our province’s history
when heavy “horse-power”
was still heavily relied on in
pioneer-era industries such as
agriculture, forestry, mining, and
road construction. In addition
to Mr. McFeetors’ personal gift,
Great-West Life has pledged
$250,000 toward the exhibit.
The McFeetors Heavy Horse
Centre will open in the summer
of 2015.
A bronze polar bear sculpture
commissioned by Bob Williams
as a gift to the Assiniboine Park
Conservancy was unveiled at
the Zoo. Williams, President and
CEO of Swancoat Investments
Ltd., is a founding member
of the Assiniboine Park
Conservancy Board of Directors,
a former chair of Polar Bears
International, and an avid
collector of Canadian art. The
9-foot-tall bronze sculpture,
entitled “Mother Polar Bear
and Cubs”, has been installed
in the plaza outside the Zoo’s
new entrance.
APC Family Campaign
In October, APC launched its annual staff and volunteer giving
campaign. The campaign achieved a 67% participation rate among
staff, which represents a 50% increase over 2013. With donations from
volunteers included, the campaign raised close to $27,000, a 74%
increase over the previous year!
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Connecting with the Community
In 2014, education activities at
Assiniboine Park and Zoo —
including camps, workshops,
tours and programs— engaged
more than 16,000 people. In the
fall, following the opening of
Journey to Churchill, APC added
four new Manitoba curriculumconnected programs suited
to grades one through 12 that
focus on polar bears and climate
change issues.
New Education
Partnerships
PROGRAMS &
SERVICES
The Education Departments of
Assiniboine Park Conservancy
and The Manitoba Museum
partnered on a new day-long
program for high school
students, which was rolled out
for the 2014-2015 school year.
The programs are held at the
Assiniboine Park Zoo and the
Manitoba Museum and focus
on Arctic adaptations, climate
change and conservation
efforts taking place at the
International Polar Bear
Conservation Centre (IPBCC).
Parks Canada and APC’s
Education and Conservation
& Research departments
collaborated on a pilot outreach
education project at the
Assiniboine Park Zoo in July and
August 2014. This project will to
enhance the visitor experience
at the Zoo and increase visitor
education and awareness of
Parks Canada protected wildlife
and ecosystems. The Manitoba
Field Unit programming focuses
on Wapusk National Park’s
role in protecting the habitat
of the Western Hudson Bay
population of polar bears and
other sub-arctic species, with
the Journey to Churchill exhibit
and the International Polar Bear
Conservation Centre (IPBCC)
serving as both the setting
and teaching tools. Building
on the success of the 2014 pilot
Project, Parks Canada will deliver
outreach education programs
to visitors at the Assiniboine Park
Zoo June through August, 2015
to 2017.
Foodology
Foodology is a pilot program
initiated by the Assiniboine Park
Conservancy and Marymound
organization that provides
young people and their families
with foster care, therapy and
addictions support, and more.
The program aims to help
youth understand how active
experiences such as gardening,
harvesting and food preparation
are related to nutrition and
well-being. Last summer,
20 youth from Marymound
rolled up their sleeves and
learned about gardening,
pickling, vermicomposting,
beekeeping, and baking bread
and bannock in an outdoor
oven at Assiniboine Park.
Organizers saw an immediate
change in participants, noting
the opportunity to explore and
learn at their own pace reduced
tension and created a fun
educational environment.
Sustainability
Awareness
Conservancy, Take Pride
Winnipeg! Inc. and Manitoba
Education for Sustainable
Development Working Group
partnered with 16 exhibitors
for the inaugural Sustainability
Day held in Journey to Churchill
on October 2, 2014. Nearly 500
visitors of all ages attended the
Zoo that day, learning about
resource recycling, climate
change mitigation, fair trade and
many more sustainability
topics. That evening, a
fundraising dinner and silent
auction was held, benefiting the
three non-profit organizations
involved. The event was a
success and a total of $3,700
was raised for Conservation
and Research initiatives at the
Assiniboine Park Zoo.
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2014 Annual Report
2014 Annual Report
661
8,509
940
4,255
1,397
1,114
In 2014, 45 partners contributed $596,223 for community
programming in Assiniboine Park and Zoo through sponsorships,
grants and in-kind donations.
children ages six to 12 attended
spring and summer camp.
participants attended curriculum-linked school and group
programs at the Park and Zoo in 2014.
participants took part in outreach programs
delivered by APC’s Education Programming team.
people participated in guided tours of Assiniboine Park & Zoo
people participated in leisure programs such as art, crafting, and botanical
classes, family & tot programs, sleepovers and recreation programs.
students participated in education field trips subsidized
by the Assiniboine Park Conservancy.
Home for the Holidays
From November 21 to
January 4, the Conservatory
served as the host for APC’s
inaugural holiday show, entitled
Home for the Holidays. The Palm
House, Display House and the
lobby of the Conservatory were
transformed with horticultural
displays inspired by the classic
children’s novel ‘Around the
World in 80 Days’ by Jules
Verne. Elements from the story
incorporated into the display
included a train, globe and
an elephant, all made from
living plant material. Nearly
5,000 visitors took in the show
throughout the holiday season.
Proceeds from the Home for the
Holidays show support the care
and maintenance of Assiniboine
Park’s gardens and horticultural
displays offered free of charge
year-round to Park visitors.
Summer
Entertainment Series
The annual Red River Co-op
Summer Entertainment Series
at Assiniboine Park offered more
than 30 concerts and events
from June to August at the Lyric
Theatre and Leo Mol Sculpture
Garden, as well as a variety of
art exhibitions at Park venues.
The entire series is offered free
of charge to the public and
made possible solely through
sponsorship support.
Benefit Concert
On September 5, APC held the
inaugural Sound & Sky Benefit
Concert at the Lyric Theatre.
Popular country-rock band Blue
Rodeo, with special guests Spirit
of the West, performed live for
a crowd of more than 8,000
people. All proceeds support
the Red River Co-op Summer
Entertainment Series.
Wildest Dreams
On August 27, the Assiniboine
Park Conservancy hosted the
inaugural Wildest Dreams event
at Assiniboine Park Zoo. Wildest
Dreams provides a once-ina-lifetime Zoo experience for
children facing health and/or
socio-economic challenges.
From the moment these
children and their families
walked through the doors,
they were treated to an evening
full of special events and
activities beyond an everyday
Zoo visit. In 2014, APC partnered
with CancerCare Manitoba
Foundation, The Salvation
Army, St. Amant Foundation,
MaryMound and The Dream
Factory, to identify children in
need who would benefit most
from this very special event.
In addition to making this fun
and memorable experience
possible for these children and
their families, Wildest Dreams
is also a fundraiser. The event
raised $30,000 with proceeds
supporting initiatives that help
make programs for children
throughout the Park and
Zoo physically and financially
accessible to those in need.
19
20
2014 Annual Report
2014 Annual Report
visit was also an opportunity
for the participants to improve
communication skills, develop
stronger relationships with
researchers at the Zoo and
other southern facilities, and to
experience the City of Winnipeg.
Conservation & Research
Ikaarvik: From Barriers
to Bridges
From October 20 to 23, APC’s
Conservation and Research
Department welcomed a group
of visitors as part of the
Ikaarvik: From Barriers to
Bridges program. Ikaarvik is a
team consisting of researchers
and community members
from Arctic communities, the
Vancouver Aquarium, and
ArctiConnexion as well as
partnering zoos and aquariums
including the Assiniboine
Park Zoo. The goal of the
program is to develop and
strengthen communications and
partnerships between northern
and southern communities,
improve the role northern
communities have in scientific
research, and assist the public
and policy makers with a better
understanding of the Arctic.
During the four day visit,
discussions focused on what
life is like in the Arctic and
ways to help APC improve our
representation of the Arctic
perspective within the Zoo. This
The knowledge gained and
experiences shared by the
participants of Ikaarvik are
unique and irreplaceable.
Assiniboine Park Zoo hopes
to further develop relationships
with northern communities
of Nunavut. Having these connections allows APC to develop
accurate stories of the north in
our Arctic education programs.
Burrowing Owl
Recovery Program
The Manitoba Burrowing
Owl Recovery Program
(MBORP) was established in
2010 in cooperation with the
Assiniboine Park Conservancy,
Turtle Mountain Conservation
District, Manitoba Conservation
and Water Stewardship, and the
Portage Natural History Group.
MBORP is an important, ongoing
conservation project at the
Assiniboine Park Zoo.
The aim of the program is to
increase the wild population of
Burrowing Owls in Manitoba.
To accomplish this, each year
young birds are brought to the
Zoo to overwinter, increasing the
number that survive. Assiniboine
Park Zoo veterinarians and
zookeepers provide overwinter
housing and care for all Burrowing Owls in the program.
These owls are kept off display
to ensure they do not become
habituated to humans – this
could cause problems when
they are in the wild. Enrichment,
including artificial nest burrows
and live prey training is provided
for all captive release owls. In the
summer these owls are moved
back to southern Manitoba to
breed and be released into the
wild. APC’s Conservation and
Research team helps by using
genetic methods to determine
if new chicks are male or female
so they can be properly paired
for breeding when released as
adults. Owls are paired in a way
that provides the most genetic
variation for the species.
APC also plays a vital role in
educating thousands of Zoo
visitors annually about the
Burrowing Owl, the recovery
program’s activities, and other
endangered species in Manitoba.
Field Research in
Churchill, MB
Spring 2014 marked the second
annual field research trip to
northern Manitoba for APC’s
Conservation and Research
Department. The team travelled
to Churchill to observe and
count ringed seals on the
ice and harbour seals in the
Churchill Estuary. The objective
of this project is to provide
new and valuable insight
into the impacts of climate
change on the animals of the
Arctic by monitoring how seal
populations change over time.
Seals are a key component of the
Arctic ecosystem and especially
important to Inuit and polar
bears. The Churchill Estuary is a
biologically rich area and home
to ringed, harbour, and bearded
seals. Accessibility to the study
animals and support from the
Churchill Northern Studies
Centre makes it an ideal place
to study behavior and
population dynamics using
non-invasive methods.
While in Churchill, the team
collected data and samples
from both ringed seal and
harbour seals and these results
have already been used by
one student at the University
of Winnipeg.
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22
2014 Annual Report
2014 Annual Report
Staff & Volunteer Resources
Volunteer Resources
APC’s Volunteer Resources
experienced another year of
growth, both in the number of
volunteers and the number of
unique volunteer opportunities
available. The opening of
Journey to Churchill, as well as
an increased number of special
events throughout the Park
and Zoo, provided volunteer
opportunities in every APC
business unit throughout the
year. During peak summer
months, APC had 350 people
volunteering on a regular basis.
In 2014, volunteers were trained
as Visitor Services Concierges
at the new Zoo entrance,
greeters for evening events
such as Wildest Dreams, the
International Police Women’s
Conference, Sustainability Day,
and the Home for the Holidays
Show at the Conservatory and
other activities. Other volunteers
donated their unique skill
sets to APC’s Finance, Executive
Office, Human Resources
and Resource Development
departments. In addition, a
volunteer role for Interpreters
was introduced at the Zoo,
with 14 volunteers participating
in specialized training. APC’s
dedicated team of volunteers
continues to provide APC with
needed volunteer support
every day of the year, providing
exceptional customer service to
visitors and support to staff.
Staff Developments
APC’s 2014 annual seasonal
recruitment plan geared up in
spring for the busy summer
season and the opening of
Journey to Churchill. An online
applicant tracking system
provided by North Star Human
Resources Inc. was introduced
to increase efficiency in the
recruitment process and support
APC in recruiting over 250 new
and returning incumbents to our
Operations and Visitor Services
business units.
Customer Service
Training
In the spring, APC launched
“Creating an Experience”,
level two of the customized
“Extraordinary Experience”
customer service training
program. “Inspire an Experience”
(level one of the program)
provided all APC staff and
volunteers with a full day of
training on APC’s Customer
Service Standards: Engage,
Empower, Exceed. Level two
enhanced their understanding
to an applied level with 12 hours
of practical training delivered
across four modules. By the
end of 2014, new and existing
staff and volunteers in front-line
service positions across the
organization completed the
entire “Extraordinary Experience”
program as part of APC’s people
readiness strategy for the
opening of Journey to Churchill.
Going forward APC will continue
to provide the program to train
new, and ensure returning and
current staff and volunteers are
kept updated.
23
24
2014 Annual Report
Summarized Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund Balances for the year ended December 31
Deloitte LLP
360 Main Street, Suite 2300
Winnipeg MB R3C 3Z3 Canada
Tel: (204) 942-0051
Fax: (204) 947-9390
www.deloitte.ca
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR ON THE SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
To the Members of,
Assiniboine Park Conservancy Inc.
The accompanying summary financial statements, which comprise the summarized balance sheet as at December 31, 2014 and the
summarized statement of operations and changes in fund balances for the year then ended, are derived from the audited financial
statements of Assiniboine Park Conservancy Inc. (the “Organization”) for the year ended December 31, 2014. We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on the financial statements in our report dated April 16, 2015. The financial statements, and the summary financial
statements, do not reflect the effects of events that occurred subsequent to the date of our report on those financial statements.
The summary financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
Reading the summary financial statements, therefore, is not a substitute for reading the audited financial statements of the Organization.
Management’s Responsibility for the Summary Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation of a summary of the audited financial statements.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the summary financial statements based on our procedures, which were conducted in
accordance with Canadian Auditing Standard 810, Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements.
Opinion
In our opinion, the summary financial statements derived from the audited financial statements of the Organization for the year ended
December 31, 2014 are consistent, in all material respects, with the financial statements, in accordance with the Canadian Auditing
Standard 810, Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements.
Chartered Accountants
Winnipeg, Manitoba
April 21, 2015
25
2014 Annual Report
26
2014 Annual Report
Summarized Balance Sheet as at December 31
Summarized Statement of Operations and Changes in Fund Balances for the year ended December 31
2014
2013
ASSETS
Current Cash and short term investments
$
Accounts receivable
Government grants & remittances receivable (Note 1)
Construction advance receivable (Note 1)
Inventory Prepaid Expenses
11,078,980 207,214 1,065,758 -
206,776 338,550 12,897,278 Long term
Capital assets (Note 1)
Art collections
Employee benefits receivable
$134,453,525 $111,264,814
LIABILITIES
Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Deferred contributions - operating
Notes payable
Current portion of long-term debt
$
$
107,415,851 13,702,402 437,994 6,899,404 274,322 20,900,000 382,000 $
10,030,750
154,378
251,265
2,189,821
177,985
350,522
13,154,721
84,035,016
13,542,552
532,525
9,017,215
158,949
13,900,000
382,000
28,455,726 23,458,164
Long term
446,421 91,365,630 1,250,244 206,827 526,386
71,910,875
1,632,244
301,358
121,724,848 97,829,027
Deferred contributions - operating
Deferred contributions - capital
Long-term debt
Accrued employee benefits
NET ASSETS
Restricted
Unrestricted (Note 2)
13,702,402 (973,725)
13,542,552
(106,765)
12,728,677 13,435,787
Note 1
$134,453,525 $
111,264,814
On July 3, 2014, the Journey to Churchill Exhibit which includes the Provincially owned International Polar Bear Conservation Centre (“IPBCC”) and Polar Bear Facilities were
substantially completed and opened to the public. The Province of Manitoba has a $30 million investment in the IPBCC and Polar Bear Facilities, which include the Gateway
to the Arctic Building, the Animal Holding and Filtration System Building and the Polar Plunge. As a result, the Province’s $30 million investment in these capital assets do not
appear on the Conservancy’s balance sheet. In addition, the Province provided the Conservancy with $4 million in capital grants for the Journey to Churchill.
REVENUE
2014
City of Winnipeg Other operating grants
Gifts and sponsorships
Amortization of deferred contributions
Park revenues
2013
$
12,207,000 206,776 459,337 5,280,426 10,115,966 $
12,207,796
137,333
499,178
3,491,725
7,460,181
28,269,505 6,234,667 23,796,213
5,120,555
22,034,838 18,675,658
EXPENSE
1,661,894 349,611 5,302,901 160,926 2,388,558 1,093,434 11,944,474 $
1,533,481
167,115
3,364,825
148,288
1,819,238
966,253
10,667,579
22,901,798 18,666,779
(Deficiency) Excess Of Revenue Over Expense (866,960)
8,879
Unrestricted Fund Balance, Beginning of Year
(106,765)
(115,644)
(973,725)
$
(106,765)
Total Revenue
Direct costs of park revenues
Administration
Interest
Amortization of capital assets
Insurance
Operations
Utilities
Wages, benefits and contract services
Total Expense
Unrestricted Fund Balance, End of Year (Note 2)
$
$
Note 2
In 2014, the City of Winnipeg and the Conservancy agreed to the deferralof $1 million of the operating grant to which the Conservancy was entitled under the Lease and
Funding Agreement between the two parties. As a result, in 2014 the Conservancy budgeted for and incurred an operating deficit of approximately $867,000. The City
provided an additional $1 million operating grantto the Conservancy in 2015 which will eliminate the accumulated deficit of $974,000.
2014 REVENUE BY SOURCE
2014 EXPENSE BY CATEGORY
n City of Winnipeg 43%
n Wages, benefits and contract services 41%
n Other operating grants 1%
n Direct costs of park revenues 21%
n Gifts and sponsorships 1%
n Administration 6%
n Amortization of deferred
contributions 19%
n Interest 1%
n Park revenues 36%
n Amortization of capital assets 18%
n Insurance 1%
n Operations 8%
n Utilities 4%
27
2014 Annual Report
28
2012 Annual Report
Deferred contributions - Capital
for the year ended December 31
2014
2013
Contributions received
City of Winnipeg $ 13,333,000 $
Province of Manitoba (Note 1)
3,105,160 Foundations and Charities
2,594,999 Individuals
1,998,605 Corporations
3,703,417 15,749,000
3,734,519
3,734,039
3,592,047
Total Contributions
24,735,181 26,809,605
(5,280,426)
(3,491,725)
Deferred Contributions - Capital, Beginning of Year
71,910,875 48,592,995
Amortization of deferred contributions
Deferred Contributions - Capital, End of Year 2014 CONTRIBUTIONS – CAPITAL
n City of Winnipeg 54%
n Province of Manitoba 13%
n Foundations and Charities 10%
n Individuals 8%
n Corporations 15%
$91,365,630 $71,910,875
29
30
2014 Annual Report
assiniboinepark.ca
55 Pavilion Crescent • Winnipeg, Manitoba • R3P 2N6
info@assiniboinepark.ca
PH 204 927 6000
TF 1 877 927 6006
F 204 927 7200

Annual Report 2014 - Assiniboine Park Conservancy

Transcription

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