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A Sustainable Zoo

Here at Noah’s Ark, we are committed to protecting our local environment and future-proofing the zoo so we can reduce our carbon impact and care for the planet. Through our work, we aim to inspire the next generation to value the natural world, make sustainable choices and understand the role we can all play in protecting wildlife and habitats. We are proud to have received multiple awards recognising our sustainability efforts, reflecting our ongoing commitment to making a positive difference for wildlife, people and the planet.

What we are doing

  1. Curator Chris Wilkinson Inspecting The Tree Where Hed Spotted A Barn Owl Noahs Ark Zoo Farm Doug Evens

    We carbon balance

    At Noah’s Ark, we use Carbon Balanced Paper for our printed maps and leaflets, helping to reduce the environmental impact of the materials we produce. Through this scheme, the carbon impacts of our paper are balanced by supporting World Land Trust projects that protect threatened forests and vital wildlife habitats.

    It is a simple but meaningful way for us to make more responsible choices, reduce our impact and support global conservation through the everyday materials our visitors use.

  2. Man holding a hand full of freshly delivered compost

    We generate our own energy

    At Noah’s Ark, we are committed to generating as much of our own energy as possible and reducing our reliance on non-renewable sources. Almost half of the energy we use comes from renewable resources, including our biomass boilers and solar panels.

    We also work with a local waste company to turn leftover food into biogas, helping to reduce waste and support a more circular economy. Together, these practical steps help us lower our environmental impact and care for the planet in everyday ways.

  3. Photo showing a long rainbow slide in an indoor play area with eco friendly lighting and picnic benches

    We use energy efficient lighting

    Our on-site electricians have replaced almost all inefficient light fittings across the zoo with modern LED lighting and energy-efficient bulbs. This helps us reduce energy consumption, lower our environmental impact and make our site more efficient day to day.

    It is one of the many practical improvements happening behind the scenes at Noah’s Ark as we continue working towards a more sustainable future.

  4. Meerkat with red firehose enrichment cube

    We use recycled enrichment

    Our keepers are always finding creative and sustainable ways to enrich the lives of the animals at Noah’s Ark. By reusing suitable materials from local businesses, we can create engaging enrichment opportunities for our animals while also reducing waste and supporting our local community.

    From Christmas trees donated by local garden centres to coffee sacks and empty carpet tubes, these everyday items can become exciting new textures, scents and challenges for our animals to explore. It is a brilliant example of how sustainability and animal care can work hand in hand.

  5. Capybara eating watermelon

    We help local businesses recycle

    We are grateful to receive donations of fruit, vegetables and meat from a number of local businesses and suppliers. Where suitable, these donations are used to feed the animals in our care, helping us reduce waste while supporting strong links with our local community.

    It is another simple but valuable way that local partnerships help us care for our animals and make more sustainable choices across the zoo.

  6. Andean Bear in a green field with a yellow fire hose enrichment cube

    We recycle

    At Noah’s Ark, we are committed to reducing waste and recycling as much as possible across the zoo. We work with specialist partners including Grundon, Geneco and Farm XS to make sure our waste is managed responsibly and wherever possible, given a new purpose.

    Approximately 95% of waste on-site is recycled, helping us limit the amount sent to landfill and reduce our environmental impact. From recycling everyday materials to turning suitable food waste into renewable energy, these partnerships support a more sustainable way of working and help us care for the planet behind the scenes, every day.

  7. Brazilian Tapir

    We harvest rainwater

    At Noah’s Ark, we use rainwater harvesting to help fill pools and streams for animals across the zoo. Rainwater is collected from the roofs of animal houses, stored in underground reservoirs and then pumped into enclosures where it can be used as part of the animals’ habitats.

    Any surplus rainwater is passed through our recycling system and used elsewhere around the zoo. This helps us make better use of natural resources, reduce water waste and care for our animals and environment in a more sustainable way.

  8. Farm Shop Loyaly (3 Of 3)

    We use compostable packaging

    For over a decade, our café has used compostable, plant-based packaging for hot drinks and takeaway food, helping to reduce the amount of single-use plastic used across the zoo. We have also moved away from using plastic straws as part of our long-standing commitment to making more sustainable choices wherever possible.

    These everyday decisions help us reduce waste and make it easier for visitors to enjoy their day out while supporting a more sustainable future.

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    We educate

    A visit to Noah’s Ark is a chance to bring learning to life. Educational field trips give children and learners of all ages and abilities the opportunity to explore, ask questions and connect with the natural world in a fun, memorable setting.

    Our Learning Outside the Classroom accredited Education Programme offers a wide range of teaching sessions and learning resources designed to support the National Curriculum in an exciting, hands-on environment. From animal adaptations and habitats to conservation and sustainability, our education experiences help inspire curiosity, build understanding and encourage the next generation to care for wildlife and the planet.

    Learn more

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    We support global and local conservation projects

    Throughout the year, we run regular conservation events that help visitors learn more about wildlife and raise vital funds for incredible conservation charities. These events bring people together to celebrate amazing species, understand the challenges they face and discover how we can all play a part in protecting them.

    Following the arrival of Aqua, our rescued tiger, we continue to fundraise for Project Carnivora; our ambitious phased development creating immersive carnivore habitats and supporting our commitment to exceptional animal care, conservation and education. This ongoing project helps visitors see conservation in action and understand the difference their support can make.

    Learn more

  11. Clifton Coffee Machine

    We offer discounts...

    We encourage visitors to bring their own reusable hot drink cups by offering an exclusive discount on hot drinks when they do. It is a simple way to reduce single-use packaging while enjoying a warm drink during your visit.

    Visitors who purchase a reusable hot drink cup from Noah’s Ark can also enjoy their first hot drink for free, helping make sustainable choices even easier.

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    We support local

    Within both our Food Barn and Farm Shop, we are proud to support local suppliers and champion more sustainable choices. By sourcing locally where possible, we help reduce food miles, cut down on single-use plastics and showcase the brilliant produce available from our region.

    Visitors can discover more about the local businesses and suppliers we work with by clicking the link below.

    Read more

Campaigns

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm supports a range of conservation and sustainability campaigns throughout the year, helping visitors learn more about wildlife, take positive action for nature and support vital conservation charities.

BIAZA BioBlitz

Each year, BIAZA organises BioBlitz, a campaign that encourages people to get hands-on with wildlife surveying and monitoring. At Noah’s Ark, visitors can take part in activities such as pond dipping, bird watching and bug surveying in our conservation area.

This work is also supported by Noah’s Natives, a dedicated group of staff and volunteers from across the zoo who work together to protect, survey and monitor native species on site. The wildlife recorded during these activities is collated to support native species monitoring and help build a better picture of the wildlife found here at the zoo.

BIAZA Love Your Zoo Week

Every May half term, Noah’s Ark takes part in BIAZA’s Love Your Zoo Week, a national campaign celebrating the important role modern zoos play in conservation, education and research.

It is a brilliant opportunity for visitors to discover more about the work happening behind the scenes at Noah’s Ark and learn how zoos are helping to protect wildlife both locally and around the world.

Annual Conservation Events

Each year, Noah’s Ark takes part in a variety of annual conservation awareness days linked to the amazing species in our care and the conservation work that supports them. These events help visitors learn more about the challenges facing wildlife and discover how they can get involved.

Keep an eye on our What’s On page for the latest updates on upcoming conservation events, including:

  • World Tapir Day
  • International Primate Day
  • International Tiger Day
  • World Giraffe Day
  • World Elephant Day
  • Bear Awareness Day

You can help at home

Small everyday choices can make a big difference for wildlife, people and the planet. Reducing waste, reusing what we can and recycling properly all help protect natural resources, reduce pollution and care for the habitats that animals depend on.

Plastic waste is one of the biggest challenges facing the natural world. In landfill, some plastics can take hundreds of years to break down, while in the ocean they can become microplastics that are harmful to marine life and can move through the food chain. Food waste is another important issue, as it can produce harmful greenhouse gases when sent to landfill.

The good news is that making more sustainable choices at home can be simple. Here are five easy ways to help:

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle

Reduce what you buy where you can, reuse items before throwing them away, and recycle correctly using your local recycling services. Choosing products with less packaging, repairing items and donating things you no longer need can all help reduce waste.

2. Choose greener journeys

Where possible, try walking, cycling, car sharing or using public transport for shorter journeys. Even swapping a few car trips each week can help reduce emissions — and often brings the added benefits of fresh air, exercise and saving money on fuel.

3. Cut down on single-use plastic

Simple swaps can make a real difference. Reuse your shopping bags, carry a refillable water bottle and bring a reusable cup for hot drinks. At Noah’s Ark, we offer a discount on hot drinks when visitors bring their own reusable cup.

4. Compost food waste

Composting food waste helps keep it out of landfill and turns it into something useful. If you do not have space for a compost bin at home, many local councils provide food waste collections, making it easier to dispose of food waste responsibly.

5. Turn it off

Saving energy and water starts with small habits. Turn off lights, taps and appliances when they are not needed, and avoid leaving devices on standby where possible. These simple actions help reduce everyday consumption and support a more sustainable future.

Every positive choice counts. By making small changes at home, we can all play a part in protecting the natural world for future generations.

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