Our commitment to conservation

Our commitment to conservation is exemplified through our efforts on campus, in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), through the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for the red wolves, radiated tortoises, and ring-tailed lemurs. We also support off-campus efforts through partnerships with local wildlife and educational organizations, supporting sustainable butterfly farmers, and donations to conservation causes.

Species Survival Plan

Closeup of three red wolf pups being held by a member of the Museum's animal care team

Red wolf

Red wolves first came to the Museum in 1992. Since then 25 pups have been born on our campus.
A ring-tailed lemur sits on a wooden platform.

Ring-tailed lemur

Ring-tailed lemurs are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Closeup of a radiated tortoise.

Radiated tortoise

The critically-endangered radiated tortoise lives in the forests and scrublands of Madagascar.

Public engagement in science

The Museum works with policymakers, scientists, and community organizations on important scientific and societal matters, including climate change, its effect on social justice and equity, and the implications of red wolf reintroduction.

Key Exhibits and Programs

Public Forums

Community Resilience to Climate Change, centered around two climate change-related catastrophes (extreme drought and sea-level rise) to gauge public values related to potential planned resilience strategies.

Climate-Conscious NC, a public forum and series of facilitated conversations about climate change and citizen science.

Citizen Science Programs

Wild Wolf Watch, a citizen science project to track wolves, wolf prey items, and other wildlife in Alligator River.

Raleigh/Durham Heat Watch, a citizen science project aimed at measuring heat expression across Raleigh and Durham, NC.

Exploring Durham Flood plain Hazards, a citizen science project between MLS, ECWA, and ORNL exploring current and future flood hazards in urban Durham, NC.

Chronolog Stations in Explore the Wild, where visitors will observe and document our wetlands’ seasonal and long-term changes.

Future Work

Youth Climate Summit: Developed by the Wild Center as a part of the Youth Climate Program, the Youth Climate Summit is a yearly conference for teens to empower young people to take climate action in their schools and communities.

Participating in ISeeChange, a long-term engagement in Wilmington, NC, flooding project.