The 63-year relationship between Smithsonian鈥檚 National Zoo and Friends of the National Zoo, known as FONZ, is over because of pandemic-related financial pressures.
鈥淭his is a hard day. It鈥檚 a hard day for FONZ; it鈥檚 a hard day for the zoo as well,鈥� said Pamela Baker-Masson, National Zoo spokeswoman.
鈥� where it was untenable for FONZ and untenable for us to continue in the model, the partnership, that we had,鈥� she said.
Friends of the National Zoo is still exploring whether its new strategy will involve staying close with the Smithsonian and the D.C. community or expanding more broadly.
鈥淔ONZ is not leaving 鈥� we are reinventing,鈥� said Lynn Mento, executive director of Friends of the National Zoo.
There will be a new name, location and form, but not everything is changing.
鈥淲e are holding true to and to inspire the next generation of conservationists,鈥� Mento said. 鈥淲e are so dedicated to this community and the children and the families and the work and the animals that we鈥檙e going to be here 鈥� we鈥檙e going to be here in some form.”
The transition of will continue seamlessly.
鈥淎ll benefits transfer; everything will be the same,鈥� Baker-Masson said.
Also, big ticketed events sponsored by FONZ before the pandemic such as ,
and are expected to resume in some form.
鈥淎s we can gather large groups safely 鈥� we will be doing that again offering similar programs to our members that they had before,鈥� Baker-Masson said.
An undetermined number of FONZ employees will be hired by National Zoo after the zoo reopens and pandemic-related restrictions lift.
Baker-Masson believes the zoo experience will be the same for most visitors when they鈥檙e allowed to return, even if it鈥檚 managed a bit differently.
鈥淭he hardest part is that we鈥檝e worked side-by-side with colleagues we care deeply about and we formed friendships,鈥� Baker-Masson said. 鈥淲e just care a lot about the people and we鈥檝e been through a lot 鈥� all of us, FONZ and the zoo 鈥� having to say goodbye to people in the past year. So, that鈥檚 the hardest part.鈥�
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