ARCTIC SHORES
THE CONSERVATION CAROUSEL Project
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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!
Arctic Shores
Status: COMPLETE!
Budget: $16.7-million (Including $7-million from the Government of Alberta)
Opened: 2013
Arctic Shores brings the wonder of Canada’s northern coastlines to life, creating an immersive environment that celebrates the animals and landscapes of the Arctic. Home to harbour seals, northern fur seals, Arctic foxes, and ground squirrels, this exhibit replicates an authentic Arctic shoreline and offers guests a rare opportunity to experience the beauty and challenges of life in the North. The habitat features a spacious indoor/outdoor pool designed to enhance animal well-being and provide visitors with captivating underwater views, as well as engaging play and learning areas, including a pingo for exploration and a whale bone-inspired climbing structure.
More than just a habitat, Arctic Shores reflects Canada’s pride in its Arctic heritage and its commitment to conservation education. The design allows animals to move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces, choosing their comfort levels naturally, while visitors gain insight into animal care, training, and northern cultures. Through this project, the Edmonton Valley Zoo invites guests to connect more deeply with the Arctic ecosystem—and to appreciate the resilience of the wildlife that calls it home.
Built-in Sustainability
As part of a commitment to the environment, Arctic Shores includes many sustainable features – ones that will meet the Zoo’s needs while protecting the environment and leaving an affordable legacy. Some of these features include:
- Green roof to minimize storm-water runoff
- Capturing stormwater and treating it on site using streams and a salt water marsh
- Treating the water in the seal pool on site with a combination of mechanical equipment and natural wetlands so it can be reused in the animals aquatic home
- Drought tolerant landscaping
- Dark sky compliant exterior lighting
- Use of reclaimed wood in building construction
Meaningful Projects
As an Arctic Ambassador Centre, the Edmonton Valley Zoo partners with Polar Bears International to inspire action on climate change and the protection of Arctic habitats. The Arctic Shores exhibit reflects this shared commitment by connecting guests to the fragile northern ecosystem and the species that depend on it. Through close-up animal experiences and educational programs, visitors gain a deeper understanding of how everyday choices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard the future of polar bears and other wildlife living in a warming world.