San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Wins Prestigious Award

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is often recognized for its work with wildlife, but the nonprofit conservation organization was recently recognized for its work with plants.

The American Public Gardens Association named San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, which operates the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the recipient of the Garden Excellence Award.

The Safari Park in Escondido and the San Diego Zoo in downtown San Diego are known for their work with wildlife, but they are also award-winning, accredited botanic gardens. Not only are they home to nearly 2 million plants combined, but they serve as hubs for vital plant conservation projects.

"We're incredibly honored to receive this high recognition from APGA," said Adam Graves, director of horticulture at the San Diego Zoo. "It's a testament to the dynamic talents of the entire plant team at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and our commitment to safeguarding biodiversity."

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an accredited botanic garden and level IV arboretum comprised of two campuses that cover an estimated 1,900 acres.

The 100-acre San Diego Zoo is home to more than 700,000 individual plants, including a prominent assemblage of close to 13,000 specimens representing 3,100 species. The 1,800-acre Safari Park features more than 1.3 million plants representing 3,700 species.

Both parks serve as spaces to educate visitors about biodiversity and the importance of habitat preservation. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance also manages two conservation locations including the Biodiversity Reserve and Samataguma Ranch comprising over 1,550 acres of protected space.

The organization's plant conservation efforts are international in scope, working with partners around the world to help save some of the most endangered plants including orchids in Palau, cycads in South Africa, and oaks in California and Mexico. The team works extensively with the nearly extinct Torrey Pines, which is the rarest native pines in the U.S.

The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park also serve as rescue centers for rare and endangered plants, as well as plants confiscated from illegal trafficking.

"When guests visit, they're transported to wild natural landscapes from across the planet — from dense jungles to dry deserts," said Raj Brown, director of horticulture at the Safari Park. "We hope they leave with a deeper appreciation for plant life and its essential role in healthy ecosystems."