PROJECTS
TRANSFORMATION & CONSERVATION
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Valley Zoo Development Society
The Valley Zoo Development Society (VZDS) is a registered charity and friend of the Edmonton Valley Zoo (EVZ). The VZDS is proud to take a lead role in the EVZ’s stunning transformation into a special place that inspires love and learning of the natural world.
Impact of Your Support
Children are fascinated by the natural world, especially by animals. By providing them with a fun setting where they can learn about animals & nature, we can create life-long ambassadors for the long-term health of our planet.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION!
Overview
The Valley Zoo Development Society has been a partner of the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Valley Zoo since 1989. Our mandate is the continued awareness and development of the Zoo, including its conservation and education programs. We believe that a zoo is an essential part of a healthy community and that the City of Edmonton is particularly blessed with the Edmonton Valley Zoo at its heart in our spectacular River Valley.
The ‘Storyland Valley Zoo’ was leading edge in 1959. Times have changed. Today, the Edmonton Valley Zoo has gone from a 5-acre petting zoo featuring storybook characters to a 21st-century centre of learning, research, and conservation.
This enormous undertaking marks the beginning of a new direction that will continue to evolve and adapt, ensuring the protection of our future and the future of the animals we share this planet with. We aim to provide a space that inspires the love and learning necessary for saving these species.
Together with the City, we’re excited to build on the Zoo’s rich legacy—transforming it from its cherished Storyland past into a world-class, conservation-focused destination committed to delivering unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.
Current Projects
Hover over the images or continue scrolling to learn more about our current and future developments. To view past projects we are proud of, click the button below.
Aspen Restoration
NATIVE HABITAT & AN IMPROVED WATERSHED
ASPEN RESTORATION
NATIVE HABITAT & AN IMPROVED WATERSHED
Red Panda Yard
AN OUTDOOR PLAY ZONE
RED PANDA YARD
AN OUTDOOR PLAY ZONE
Carnivore Modernization
Modern Habitats & Natural Homes
CARNIVORE MODERNIZATION
MODERN HABITATS & NATURAL HOMES
The Aspen Parkland Restoration Project will transform the Edmonton Valley Zoo’s landscapes into vibrant, living classrooms. Moving beyond the City’s standard turf-based design, this initiative will re-naturalize 9,000 square meters with native plants from Alberta’s Fescue and Mixed Grass prairie types, enrich an open exhibit space with up to 55 trees and shrubs representing Boreal and Foothills forest ecosystems, and breathe new life into the ten-year-old green roof of the Arctic Shores exhibit.
These enhancements will immerse visitors in the beauty, diversity, and resilience of native ecosystems that once flourished in Edmonton’s river valley over a century ago. With every step through the Zoo, guests will connect with restored habitats, experience the sights and textures of Alberta’s wild landscapes, and leave inspired to protect the natural world.
The Red Panda Yard Landscape Project will bring fresh life and adventure to the Edmonton Valley Zoo’s red panda habitat. This initiative will design and install new plantings, boulders, and climbing features—carefully planned to minimize disturbance to the existing environment—while creating a dynamic, enriching space for these charismatic animals.
By increasing habitat complexity and weaving in natural elements reminiscent of the red pandas’ wild Himalayan home, the project will offer both the animals and visitors a more immersive experience. Guests will enjoy seeing the red pandas explore, climb, and interact with their revitalized surroundings, deepening their connection to this endangered species and its faraway mountain ecosystem.
The Carnivore Modernization Project will transform and modernize the Zoo’s carnivore habitats to exceed the rigorous standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Outdated enclosures from the original Storyland Valley Zoo will be replaced with modern, immersive environments that bring guests into the heart of each species’ natural home. From snow leopards to Canadian lynx, servals, red foxes, and Amur tigers, every habitat will be designed to inspire awe, deepen education, and strengthen conservation connections.
Upgrades include bird-friendly glass for barrier-free viewing, zoo mesh fencing for safety and visibility, and thoughtfully themed landscaping—whether it’s Aspen Parkland, Himalayan cliffs, African grasslands, or tiger forest. Visitors will see animals climb, stalk, hide, and explore, just as they would in the wild, while enjoying shaded viewing areas, heating for cold days, and new interpretive opportunities.