PRESS RELEASES

TORONTO, ON, Friday, May 24, 2024: Today Your Toronto Zoo unveiled the completion of a transformative greenhouse renovation project. The finished project will improve guest experience, enhance conservation messaging, advance our sustainability efforts and is fully accessible. The event was attended by the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge Park, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, Councillor, Scarborough-Rouge Park and Board of Management, Toronto Zoo and Dolf DeJong, CEO Toronto Zoo.

Your Toronto Zoo is celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, and like any milestone it is both a time of reflection – celebrating some amazing conservation wins, and a time to ask ourselves what role we will play in the next 50 years. We can’t know what the future will hold, but we do know we will be Guardians of Climate, and the new greenhouse is another step in our fight against climate change.

"We are thrilled to unveil our newly renovated greenhouse, which represents a significant milestone in our efforts to create engaging and educational experiences for our guests," said Dolf DeJong, CEO, Toronto Zoo. "This project underscores our commitment to conservation, sustainability, and providing the highest quality care for our plants and animals. This new open concept design and wider pathways have made the greenhouse more accessible to our guests as we work towards ensuring your Toronto Zoo is a Zoo for all."

“This project underscores our commitment to conservation, sustainability, and providing the highest quality care for our plants and animals” says Councillor and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, Scarborough-Rouge Park. “This new open concept design and wider pathways have made the greenhouse more accessible to our guests as we work towards ensuring your Toronto Zoo is a Zoo for all."

“This is a great example of an organization here in the Scarborough community creating an accessible, common space with a focus on sustainability and wellness” says Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge Park. “As one of the largest and most used public outdoor spaces in our city, I am proud we were a part of this critical infrastructure investment to further improve the quality of life for Scarborough— Rouge Park residents”.

Previously, only one section of the greenhouse was open to Zoo guests, while the others were used for production purposes only. The newly renovated greenhouse features immersive botanical displays across interconnected houses, each dedicated to different botanical zones. This reimagined space creates engaging and educational experiences for guests while improving the welfare of the Zoo's plant collection.

The renovation project, made possible by the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) and Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), sought to showcase the Zoo's diverse plant collection year-round.

The deteriorating condition of the greenhouse's roof prompted the need for renovation, which ultimately transformed the space into a conservatory-style botanical collection. Key improvements include the installation of higher R-value insulation for improved heating efficiency during Canada's long winter season, as well as the implementation of a new automated computer system to control various environmental aspects of the greenhouse.

One of the highlights of the renovated greenhouse is its role in supporting ongoing renovations and transitions within zoo habitats and exhibits. By providing suitable plants for different animal habitats, the greenhouse ensures authenticity for the animals while enhancing the overall guest experience. Additionally, the greenhouse accommodates the seasonal nature of certain display items, such as orchids that bloom periodically, contributing to our conservation messaging.

Strategic decisions were made to showcase the diversity of plant species, including the inclusion of specific thematic areas like the desert and rainforest sections. Moreover, the greenhouse emphasizes sustainability and creative reuse of materials, such as incorporating apple trees from a previous orchard into garden beds.

From a horticulturist's perspective, the transition from potted plants to garden beds is particularly exciting, as it allows for better root development and overall plant health. There are no chemicals or pesticides used within the greenhouse. Our approach is fully organic, using mechanical and biological control methods.  

In addition to enhancing the guest experience and conservation efforts, the renovated greenhouse plays a crucial role in your Toronto Zoo's sustainability initiatives. By facilitating propagation and production for Pavilion spaces, the greenhouse allows the zoo to grow its own plants rather than importing them, aligning with the zoo's core values of conservation and sustainability. Additionally, the greenhouse now uses rainwater collected from its roof via a cistern system, promoting environmental sustainability and providing a pure water source beneficial for sensitive plants like orchids.