Our Conservation and Research team and one of our dedicated volunteers were recently honoured with awards from Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for their outstanding contributions to conservation and community engagement.

Saving the Poweshiek Skipperling Butterfly

The Grassland Butterfly Conservation program was recently honoured with the 2025 North American Conservation Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, jointly awarded with our partners at Minnesota Zoo and John Ball Zoo. This award recognizes our collaborative work to prevent the extinction of the critically endangered Poweshiek Skipperling butterfly.

As populations dwindled in the wild, we partnered with Minnesota Zoo and John Ball Zoo to lead a coordinated, science-based recovery effort. This bi-national partnership protects the only remaining Poweshiek Skipperling populations in the world: at the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve in Manitoba, and in prairie fens in Michigan. Each year, the three organizations collectively release thousands of Poweshiek butterflies to restore wild populations.

The critically endangered Poweshiek skipperling, sitting on a black-eyed Susan this past summer.

Our Grassland Butterfly Conservation program has produced remarkable results for Poweshiek Skipperling in Canada. In 2025, we successfully released 174 Poweshiek butterflies, and collected over 1,600 eggs in preparation for next year's release—critical milestones recognized by the Colonel G.D. Dailley Award for Ex-Situ Species Propagation, which honours outstanding achievements contributing to the long-term survival of animal species.

Celebrating Volunteer Excellence

We could not do what we do without our dedicated volunteers, and we're thrilled to share that Beverlee (Bev) Hicks, an 11-year volunteer, was awarded the CAZA Volunteer of the Year Award of Merit for her exceptional work and dedication.

Bev has contributed over 7,400 volunteer hours, supporting more than 15 departments across the Zoo, Park, and The Leaf. Her impact can be seen throughout our facilities—literally. One project she leads involves creating artificial vines from recycled garden hoses for animal enrichment. On your next visit to the Zoo, look for her handiwork in the Linnaeus's two-toed sloth, ring-tailed lemur, and white-handed gibbon habitats. She has also crafted fly masks for the donkeys to help keep them comfortable during the summer months.

Bev Hicks (left), making the artificial vines from recycled garden hoses for animal enrichment.

Her contributions extend beyond animal well-being to supporting the Zoo financially. Bev upcycles animal feed bags from our Animal Nutrition Centre into reusable tote bags, which are sold at our annual volunteer pop-up market, with proceeds supporting the animal care fund. She has also been a part of our annual Volunteer Trivia Night Committee since 2017, leading the creation of the questions asked. This special event has helped raise thousands of dollars for important programs in the Zoo and Park.

When we opened the Wildlife Rescue and Drop-off Centre earlier this year in partnership with Wildlife Haven, Bev was among the first volunteers to sign up. Since then, she has helped dozens of animals receive the care they need.

If you've visited with Winston the Polar Bear, our Zoo's beloved mascot, at any of our events, you've almost certainly met Bev! Lovingly nicknamed "Mama Bear," she helps ensure Winston gets where he needs to be to delight our guests.

Bev with Winston the Polar Bear.

Congratulations to Bev, our Conservation and Research team, and everyone at the Zoo for these outstanding achievements!