Sustainability Steering Committee
GOAL: Sustainability Steering Committee
The Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC) was formed in late 2021. The Committee is composed of Zoo staff from throughout the organization who meet as a large group monthly to discuss sustainability topics, and meet in small groups called Focus Teams to address various sustainability goals. The SSC also oversees the Green Fund, an annual allocation dedicated to making improvements in the Zoo’s natural resource usage.
If you are interested in joining the SSC, please fill out this form or reach out to one of our two 2025 Sustainability Steering Committee Co-chairs:
Dustin Crawford at dustin.crawford@dallaszoo.com
Chris Corpus at chris.corpus@dallaszoo.com
Dallas Zoo Sustainability Steering Committee Purpose
The Dallas Zoo Sustainability Steering Committee exists to support the integration of sustainability across the Zoo, support the achievement of the 2030 goals, and support communication efforts of sustainability efforts.
- Engage. Facilitate communication and engage organizational peers in the implementation of sustainable actions and strategies.
- Normalize. Embed sustainability as a cultural norm and support the continuation of these programs, while leveraging staff diversity as a strength.
- Lead. Establish Dallas Zoo as a sustainability leader for the local community and industry peers.
SSC Cultural Norms
- Intention. We agree to engage perspectives from across the organization and practice active listening as we do.
- Respect. We treat each other with dignity and acknowledge peer input as valid.
- Diversity. We recognize diversity as a valued strength.
- Support. We commit to help each other and our peers in learning about, working toward, and accomplishing our sustainability goals.
Sustainability Steering Committee [Updated: Mar 2025]
- Adam Garland, General Manager for SSA
- Ann Knutson, Zoological Manager
- Chris Corpus, Director of Conservation
- David Smallwood, Assistant Supervisor of Education
- Donny Shubert, Environmental Manager
- Nicole Sweeney, Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving
- Dustin Crawford, AVP, Capital Projects and Facilities Maintenance
- Jessica Flores, F&B Operations Manager
- Shannon Lunny, Conservation Interpreter
- Sean Greene, Executive Vice President/Park Operations
- Sydney Wasson, Conservation Culture Coordinator
Achievements
D CEO Finalist
The Sustainability Steering Committee was a finalist for the D CEO 2023 Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards!
Green Fund 2025
For the past three years, the SSC has allocated funds to sustainability improvements at the zoo. This year, the Zoo has dedicated $20,000 to sustainability projects that will be ranked and prioritized based on their environmental, financial, and social impacts. The winning projects will be released soon! Previous years’ projects have included:
- Compost bins
- Water submeters
- Manure handler trough filling project in animal barns