About Us
For more than 100 years, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has been a place where people connect with wildlife and the natural world.
A Century of Wild Discovery and Conservation
As Connecticut’s only zoo, we play an active role in protecting endangered species through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan programs. Through conservation, education, research, and immersive guest experiences, we offer students, families, and wildlife lovers an urban haven in which to learn about—and help protect—the animals we share the planet with.
AZA Accredited
Beardsley Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Envisioning a world where all people respect, value, and conserve wildlife and wild places, AZA is committed to being a global leader in promoting species conservation and animal well-being by leveraging the size, scope, expertise, and public trust of its member institutions.
Our Mission: Fostering Connections with Wildlife to Inspire Conservation Action
We recognize that people come to the Zoo to see, experience, and connect with animals. We also recognize that their connection doesn’t start with us, but it’s through a visit or program that their connection can be strengthened, nourished, deepened.
Why do we want people to feel connected to animals? To inspire them to change their lives in ways that protect and restore wild animals and wild places. We ask them to join us in our work and our mission by creating lasting emotional connections.
Our Values: Conservation, Credibility, Community, Compassion
Conservation
At Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, we actively engage in revitalizing wildlife and educating the community about the importance of biodiversity. Conservation is the critical litmus test for setting institutional priorities.
We restore and revitalize wildlife and their habitats through sustainable practices and active participation in conservation initiatives. Every team member plays a crucial role in driving our mission forward. Every staffer and volunteer is a conservationist.
Credibility
We represent the Zoo professionally with partners and the public. We demonstrate operational excellence to instill trust and confidence with investors and the community.
We embrace evidence-based practices and a growth mindset through continuous evaluation and improvement.
Community
We nurture the health and vitality of our surrounding community, from Bridgeport to Connecticut and beyond. We ensure the Zoo is accessible and inclusive to all residents and visitors.
We support and develop the welfare of our Zoo community, inclusive of our staff, our volunteers, and our animals. We value the connections we foster between each other and recognize the complex interconnectedness of our organizational systems. We rely on each other to succeed and understand that our actions impact those around us.
Compassion
Compassion informs our approach to wildlife and education. At Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, we advocate for animal welfare and inspire our community to act with kindness and empathy for all living beings.
We extend empathy and grace and take proactive action to help each other and to accomplish our mission. By treating all living beings with empathy and respect, we create a culture of kindness that resonates throughout our Zoo.
Our Leadership
The leadership team is committed to advancing wildlife conservation, education, and meaningful connections between people and the natural world.
Dr. Jim Wharton
CEO
Lindsay Durkee
Director Rentals and Events
Nicolette Possematto
Director People & Culture
Jim Knox
Curator of Education
Rob Tomas
General Curator
Winston van Buitenen
Director of Finance & Business Operations
Board of Directors
Members of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Board of Directors provide guidance and support to the Zoo, bringing a wide range of skills, experience, and expertise to assist with operations and fundraising. They help raise awareness of the Zoo’s programs and actively promote its activities, united by a shared passion for conservation, education, and creating engaging, memorable experiences for visitors.
President
- Mitchell Cohen
Vice President
- Judi Cardello
- Dean DeBiaseM&T Bank
Treasurer
- Harvey Rosenbloom
Secretary
- Michael KaufmanDay Pitney LLP
Board Members
- Bernadette Baldino
- Joseph BurkeLiberty Bank
- William KelleherCon Edison
- Claudette KunkesClinical Psychologist Private Practice
- Catherine LadnierCompliance Consultant
- Craig McLeodConnecticut Community Bank N.A.
- Barbara Miller
- Mike RoseLockton Companies
- Bruce T. SilverstoneRetired, Aquarion Water Company
- Michael FischerGolden Bear Partners
- Margaret St. John MeehanDayPitney
- Bob Natt
Work with Us
Bring your passion for wildlife and conservation to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo! Whether you’re interested in animal care, education, horticulture, or visitor services, our team offers opportunities to make a real impact on the lives of our animals and the people who visit. Join us and help inspire a deeper connection to the natural world while contributing to meaningful conservation and community programs.
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo DEIA Statement
In embracing a model of institutional excellence and achievement through constant assessment, evaluation, and improvement, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo recognizes the need for both internal drivers and external collaborators in advancing its goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. In so doing, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo strives to fulfill its potential by creating a welcoming and tolerant culture that attracts employees, guests, vendors, volunteers, students, board members, and donors who fully reflect the population within the community and broader population that it serves. As Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo fulfills its mission to educate the public about the richness of biodiversity and the critical need for species survival, it must strive on an organizational level to embrace the wondrous diversity of the human race in order to continue to thrive.
Vendors which are owned by an ethnic or racial minority group, women, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans or persons with disabilities, who are interested in providing goods or services to the Zoo in the following areas - catering, signage, landscaping services and supplies, promotional goods, embroidery/silk screening, construction and related trades and pest control, are encouraged to send company information to Jennifer McIntosh, DEIA Coordinator, jmcintosh@beardsley.org.
Declaración de la DEIA del Zoológico Beardsley de Connecticut
Al adoptar un modelo de excelencia institucional y logros a través de evaluaciones, análisis y mejoras constantes, el Zoológico Beardsley de Connecticut reconoce la necesidad de contar con impulsores internos y colaboradores externos para avanzar en sus objetivos de diversidad, equidad, inclusión y acceso. Al hacerlo, el Zoológico Beardsley de Connecticut se esfuerza por alcanzar su potencial creando una cultura acogedora y tolerante que atraiga a empleados, invitados, proveedores, voluntarios, estudiantes, miembros de la junta directiva y donantes que reflejen plenamente a la población dentro de la comunidad y a la población en general a la que sirve. . A medida que el Zoológico Beardsley de Connecticut cumple su misión de educar al público sobre la riqueza de la biodiversidad y la necesidad crítica para la supervivencia de las especies, debe esforzarse a nivel organizacional por abrazar la maravillosa diversidad de la raza humana para poder seguir prosperando.
Proveedores que sean propiedad de un grupo minoritario étnico o racial, mujeres, miembros de la comunidad LGBTQ+, veteranos o personas con discapacidades, que estén interesados en proporcionar bienes o servicios al Zoológico en las siguientes áreas: catering, señalización, servicios y suministros de paisajismo, promoción. Se recomienda que los fabricantes de productos de construcción, bordado/serigrafía, construcción y comercios relacionados y control de plagas envíen información de la empresa a Jennifer McIntosh, coordinadora de DEIA, jmcintosh@beardsley.org.