Attractions & Recreation

Building Green

Building an eco-friendly facility

Consistent with Edmonton's vision to build sustainable infrastructure, projects at the zoo will be models of environmental responsibility.

The new Arctic Shores exhibit will capture and reuse storm water run-off and feature a green roof* to reduce the volume of run-off. Pool water will be filtered naturally by plant materials in working wetlands and reused. Pine-beetle kill wood will be used in building construction, landscape plantings will be drought tolerant and dark sky compliant exterior lighting** will be used.

All new buildings at the zoo will take advantage of natural light and air ventilation and incorporate features that harness green technologies to leave a smaller ecological footprint on the natural systems and wild places that the zoo is working so hard to conserve.

* A green roof is a roof that is built to grow plant life on it, so as to allow the building to blend into the natural background, reduce the environmental impact of the building, and create habitat for native plants and animals.

**Dark sky compliant lighting is reduced voltage lighting that shines downward instead of upward. Artificial light that radiates upward and outward works to decrease visibility at night and wastes energy. It also disrupts plants, animals and the environment.

For more information:

Edmonton Valley Zoo

13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	attractions@edmonton.ca