Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
|
Total |
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Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 169,864,829 | 171,671,347 | 197,635,149 | 181,826,674 | 193,870,983 | 914,868,982 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.... | 0 | |||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | 0 | |||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 169,864,829 | 171,671,347 | 197,635,149 | 181,826,674 | 193,870,983 | 914,868,982 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | 4,380,630 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 910,488,352 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 169,864,829 | 171,671,347 | 197,635,149 | 181,826,674 | 193,870,983 | 914,868,982 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 3,208,573 | 1,713,779 | 442,458 | 601,117 | 2,340,956 | 8,306,883 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 6,060,043 | 5,847,497 | 6,072,371 | 5,849,329 | 2,478,649 | 26,307,889 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 951,570,958 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
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| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
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| 9 Distributable amount for 2019 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2019 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2019 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2019 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2019 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2019: | ||||
| a From 2014....... | ||||
| b From 2015....... | ||||
| c From 2016....... | ||||
| d From 2017....... | ||||
| e From 2018....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2019 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2014 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2019 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2019 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2019, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2019. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2020. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2015..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2016..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A - FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT CONTINUED | 1. In January 2020, the World Health Organization recognized the novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, as a pandemic. Beginning March 16, 2020, all WCS's zoos and aquarium were temporarily closed to the public in accordance with New York State executive orders and guidance related to the pandemic. Outdoor exhibits at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo reopened to the public on July 24, 2020. Indoor exhibits at those facilities and outdoor and indoor exhibits at the New York Aquarium reopened to the public on August 24, 2020. The reopened facilities are operating in accordance with New York State safety guidance and directives, including attendance capacity limitations. The operations of WCS's Global Conservation programs were also affected by local governmental and other guidance and requirements, which in some cases disrupted planned programmatic activity. The incidence of COVID-19 has therefore negatively affected WCS's operating results. It is anticipated that the effects of COVID-19 may continue to negatively affect WCS's financial position, results of operations and cash flows of WCS. However, given the uncertainty of the pandemic's duration, severity, and economic impacts, the ultimate financial effects cannot be known at this time. 2. WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and NIH (National Institutes of Health) scientists partnered with the Republic of Congo Ministry of Health to develop a low-cost educational outreach program and surveillance system for wildlife mortality that has continued now for over a decade. With this surveillance system If an Ebola outbreak among wildlife, or an epizootic, could be detected early on, measures could be put in place to prevent the virus from spilling over and causing a human outbreak. The surveillance network is comprised of hunter-gathers, park rangers, and WCS-affiliated project personnel who report great ape and mammal carcasses they encounter to a trained response team. To establish and maintain the hunter-gatherer surveillance network the response team visits villages, with permission of the village chief, and delivers a verbal presentation on the basics of Ebola virus transmission to all interested community members. The emphasis is, 'do not touch, move or bury the carcass and contact the surveillance network immediately'. While not every Ebola outbreak will be proceeded by wildlife deaths, this early warning system for wildlife mortality is building trust and awareness and it may help give future responders an upper hand. 3. WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and other conservation NGOs, government agencies, and universities conducted one of the largest studies ever of its kind, and identified where and how to save coral reef communities in the Indo-Pacific. The study outlines three viable strategies that can be quickly enacted to help save coral reefs that are threatened by climate change and human impacts. The study involved the efforts of more than 80 authors who surveyed coral abundance on more than 2,500 reefs across 44 countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The findings revealed that the majority of reefs had functioning coral communities with a living cover of architecturally complex species that give reefs their distinctive structure. After the damage caused by severe heat stress during the 2014-17 El Nio event, the authors found nearly 450 reefs in 22 countries across the Indo-Pacific that survived in climate 'cool spots' that should be prioritized for urgent protection and management. 4. Wildlife Conservation Society along with local and international NGOs-joined forces with four Central American Countries and the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), indigenous peoples and local communities today to launch the 5 Great Forests Initiative, a critical collaboration to protect Mesoamerica's five largest forests. Mesoamerica's five great forests-the Maya Forest in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize; the Moskitia in Nicaragua and Honduras; the Indio Maz-Tortuguero in Nicaragua and Costa Rica; the Talamanca Region in Costa Rica and Panama; and the Darien in Panama and Colombia-together cover more than 120,000 square kilometers. They are home to more than 7.5 percent of the planet's biodiversity, such as the jaguar and endangered Baird's tapir, hold nearly 50 percent of the region's forest carbon, and provide important ecosystem services to 5 million people, including clean water, clean air, food security, and climate stability. The Initiative will ensure that over the next 10 years No wildlife species in the great forests go extinct, 10 million hectares of land are protected, 500,000 hectares of forest are restored and illegal cattle ranching within the boundaries of the five forests ceases entirely. 5. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) was granted the use of the Olam Farmer Information System (OFIS) to tackle forest encroachment in the Bukit Barisan Selatan (BBSNP) landscape in southern Sumatra. WCS will use OFIS to survey participating farms on the forest frontier, recording and monitoring data on farm boundaries, coffee yields and productivity, the number and age of coffee trees; economic, social and health infrastructure; and the surrounding ecosystem. This will allow the partnership to deliver tailored training and incentives to farmers for the production of legal and deforestation-free coffee. At the same time, this will enable participating companies to reduce their risks of sourcing from the national park, while supporting solutions in priority areas. 6. WCS Chile is launching its first membership campaign in the hope of establishing a network of 5,000 people committed to preserving the Karukinka Natural Park. Karukinka Park, managed and preserved by the WCS Chile since 2014, protects almost 130,000 acres of old-growth woods with trees that are up to 300 years old and 70,000 acres of boglands. These are the biggest terrestrial carbon sinks that exist at this latitude in the world, they absorb between 200 and 300 million tons of CO2 thus helping relieve the climate impact. Karukinka Park is the biggest protected area of the Tierra del Fuego island and it is home to the main populations of Chilean emblematic animal species such as the guanaco, the condor, and the fueguino fox. On its coast, there are two fragile and ecologically important reproductive colonies of elephant seals and black-browed albatrosses. 7. A study from WCS's Papua New Guinea program has found that the demand for feathers for ceremonial headdresses from the highland cultures of Papua New Guinea is putting a vulnerable species of parrot in peril. Looking at traditional headdresses in Kerowagi District in Chimbu Province that use the red feathers of Pesquet's parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus), a species classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It was estimated that between 160,000 - 280,000 parrots were likely harvested. Although these headdresses are treated as heirlooms, the data suggest that around eight percent of the Pesquet's parrot population is still harvested every year for demand in Kerowagi District alone. one of the keys to protecting the parrots in the future is preserving the heirloom headdresses to reduce or eliminate the need to harvest additional parrots. 8. WCS researchers discovered a new colony of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) on a remote island in Argentina. The penguins were found on the eastern side of Isla de los Estados off the eastern tip of Tierra del Fuego at the southernmost end of the South American continent. WCS has been supporting long-term research and monitoring of the Magellanic penguin and works to conserve them by helping improve the management of commercial fisheries and of offshore drilling and the transport of oil in the Southeast Atlantic. WCS also works to protect core reproductive sites for the species in coastal Patagonia in order to ensure their long-term survival. The Magellanic penguin is listed as "Near Threatened" on IUCN's Red List, and the global population-estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.6 million pairs-is decreasing. The main threats to the species are climate change, mortality from fishing gear entanglement, overfishing of prey species, petroleum pollution, egg collection, and unregulated ecotourism. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B - SECOND ACCOMPLISHMENT CONTINUED | 1. A pack of three male dhole (Cuon alpinus), a species of Asiatic wild dog, debuted at the Bronx Zoo and can be seen in their habitat adjacent to the Himalayan Highlands. Dholes are carnivores native to portions of southern and central Asia. They inhabit forests and grasslands in Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; India; Indonesia; Lao; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; and Thailand. In the wild, they live in packs of about 12 animals, but packs of up to 40 individuals have been documented. They are social, but unlike some other wild canids, do not have a complex social hierarchy. The alpha male and female are normally the breeding pair and the rest of the pack largely consists of their offspring. Dholes have a fox-like appearance, with a brownish-red coat with a dark, bushy tail. In some regions, populations have distinctive white patches around the neck, chest, belly and feet. Adult dhole weigh between 25 and 45 pounds. Dhole numbers in the wild are decreasing due to human activities, including land development resulting in habitat loss, hunting, and diseases from domestic dogs. Their wild populations are severely fragmented and they are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to the IUCN, estimates indicate there are fewer than 2,500 adult dholes remaining in the wild. 2. Two little blue penguin chicks (Eudyptula minor) hatched at the Bronx Zoo. With these two chicks, the Bronx Zoo little blue penguin colony now includes 16 birds. Last year, seven penguins from the New England Aquarium were brought to the zoo for breeding. The chicks were raised by their parents for several weeks before being moved to another area of the Aquatic Bird House where they are being reared by keepers so they are comfortable taking their fish diet from staff. Once they have sufficiently matured, they will rejoin the colony. The colony at the Bronx Zoo was initially established with birds hatched at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. They are being bred based on recommendations from the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative breeding program designed to enhance the genetic viability of animal populations in zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). 3. The gaur (Bos gaurus) herd at the Bronx Zoo has grown by seven calves (two males; five females) since the addition of a new breeding male in 2018. Two of the female calves were born this past year bringing the total of the herd to 25. The Bronx Zoo has the only gaur breeding program in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Gaur are native to Southeast Asia and are largest wild cattle species in the world. Males are larger than females and can grow to 11 feet in length and weigh more than 2,200 pounds. The species is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and populations are decreasing due to human activity. 4. work was completed on the Chelonian Propagation Center this past fall. This off-exhibit facility occupies four recently renovated rooms of Bronx Zoo's Zebra House. The new facility will be devoted to the housing and reproduction of key program species of turtles; Roti Island snake-necked turtles (Chelodina mccordi), black-breasted leaf turtles (Geoemyda spengleri), bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii), Chinese big-headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) and several species of Asian box turtles (Cuora species). The Roti Island snake-necked turtles are zoo-produced progeny that will be sent back to Singapore Zoo later this summer and then eventually transferred to a new breeding facility in Kapang, Timor, Indonesia. These turtles are housed in a biosecure room and are part of a WCS reintroduction program as this species is thought to be extinct in the wild. The bog turtles are on loan from The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and New York Department of Environmental Conservation. We hope to either breed these turtles and release head-started offspring into native habitat where the turtles have been extirpated, or eventually release the adults. Staff have had great success reproducing black-breasted leaf turtles. We participate in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for this species. The Asian box turtles are another SSP program and the new facility will give us a dedicated space to hibernate these turtles, which is essential for viable reproduction. 5. The New York Aquarium Conservation Programs ongoing work, in partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to track the movements of great whales in New York waters, has expanded into New York Harbor, and gained a new partner in Equinor-the Norwegian state oil, gas and alternative energy company-who has the largest leases for offshore wind energy installations off of New York. Working together with Equinor, we are developing a new kiosk for installation in Ocean Wonders, which will build awareness and monetary support for our conservation work, and give visitors at the aquarium a chance to listen in near-real time to our monitoring of four species of great whales. Even closer to home, we are working to promote ecological health and environmental justice to the under-served community of Coney Island itself as a founding member of the Coney Island Creek Conservancy, whose charter is to enhance educational, community and Citizen Science access and protection of Coney Island Creek. 6. The New York Aquarium continued its ongoing acoustic and satellite telemetry work on sand tiger, sandbar, blue and shortfin mako sharks, there has been a strong partnership developed between our Aquatic Health team and the well-publicized work of OCEARCH, a consortium working to tag, track and assess populations of White Sharks along the East coast. Our work on sand tiger sharks has now extended into reproductive assessments and assessment of reproductive triggers, which will provide baseline data to inform captive breeding of sand tiger sharks here at the New York Aquarium. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C - THIRD ACCOMPLISHMENT CONTINUED | 1. Two red panda cubs (Ailurus fulgens refulgens) made their public debut at WCS's Prospect Park Zoo. WCS has been successful breeding red pandas at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo. The breeding programs at each park are part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative breeding program administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) designed to enhance the genetic viability and demographic stability of animal populations in accredited zoos. The red pandas at the Prospect Park Zoo, Styan's red pandas, are a subspecies from the eastern portion of the Himalayan range in China and northern Myanmar. The subspecies of red panda at the Bronx Zoo and Central Park Zoo are western red pandas (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) which are native to the western part of the Himalayas. Styan's red pandas are a bit larger and have a deeper red color. 2. The Prospect Park Zoo received a pair of endangered Chinese crocodile lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) from a US Fish and Wildlife Service confiscation of wild caught animals. The species range is limited to southern China and Vietnam with a wild population estimate of roughly 1,000 animals. The pair bred and a single youngster was born (crocodile lizards are viviparous). While this SSP species has bred successfully in zoos, this pair represents a new blood line for the population. 3. The Queens Zoo welcomed two new cougar cubs (Felis concolor). The cubs were discovered orphaned by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and temporarily housed at Utah's Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City where they were prepared for their journey to New York. All cougars in AZA accredited zoos are rescued, non-releasable animals. This program represents an example of zoos and aquariums working in partnership with various government agencies to provide homes for animals while offering messaging opportunities regarding strategies to reduce human/wildlife conflict in hopes we won't be needed to rescue them in the future. 4. The Central Park Zoo had a new bird-of-paradise (Lophorina superba) chick that hatched during the year has grown into a healthy sub-adult. It has been transferred to a larger flight cage where it will continue to grow stronger and become a mature adult. This is our fifth successful hatch in two years raising the total population in AZA institutions to 28 birds. CPZ and San Diego Zoo are the only two institutions to successfully hatch superb bird-of-paradise in the past few years. 5. The Prospect Park Zoo acquired a new male North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), Spike, to pair with the young female, Needles. A second group of 12 emerald tree boas (Corallus caninus) was born to PPZ's breeding pair. This species of snake is ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young. The young snakes are doing well and we have already received a number of requests for them from other zoos. In addition, a pair of Solomon Island spiny neck monitors (Varanus spinulosus) produced eggs, which were not fertile. The good news is that this is the first clutch from the female who has just come into breeding age. If subsequent clutches hatch, it will be a first in any AZA accredited zoo. 6. Queens Zoo introduced a new male trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) to its resident female. The two bonded almost immediately and have become inseparable. Young produced by our swans are sent to Iowa where we are working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to restore the population of swans in the Midwestern migratory pathway. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D - OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT | WCS'(Wildlife Conservation Society) zoos and aquarium have partnered with KultureCity to make the Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo sensory inclusive with the New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo and Queens Zoo working toward certification in the coming months. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for guests with sensory sensitivities during their visits to these iconic New York City wildlife parks. The certification process entailed the staff at the zoos being trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, and verbal cue cards (produced in conjunction with Boardmaker) will also be available to all guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. Guests can look for signage in the park to help identify areas of high volume ("Headphone Zones") and areas to take a break ("Quiet Areas") Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to over stimulation and noise. With their new certification, the WCS zoos will be better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible. |
| FORM 990, PART V, LINE 4B - FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES | AFGHANISTAN, ARGENTINA, BANGLADESH, BELIZE, BOLIVIA, CAMBODIA, CAMEROON, CENTRAL AFRICA REPUBLIC, CHILE, CHINA, COLOMBIA, CONGO (REPUBLIC OF CONGO), DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, Ecuador, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, FIJI, GABON, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDONESIA, KENYA, LAOS, MADAGASCAR, MOZAMBIQUE, MONGOLIA, MYANMAR, NIGERIA, NICARAGUA, PARAGUAY, PERU, PAKISTAN, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, RWANDA, SINGAPORE, SOLOMON ISLANDS, SOUTH SUDAN, THAILAND, TANZANIA, UGANDA, UNITED KINGDOM, VIETNAM. THE LIST ON ATTACHMENT 1 IS LIMITED TO 10 COUNTRIES, THIS IS A COMPLETE LIST. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 6 - CLASSES OF MEMBERS OR STOCKHOLDERS | WCS IS A NEW YORK NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION WITH NO STOCKHOLDERS. THE ELECTED TRUSTEES OF WCS CONSTITUTE THE MEMBERS OF WCS, WITH FULL VOTING RIGHTS AND SUCH OTHER POWERS AND AUTHORITY RESERVED TO "MEMBERS" UNDER THE NEW YORK NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION LAW. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 7A - ELECTION OF MEMBERS AND THEIR RIGHTS | SEE RESPONSE ABOVE REGARDING LINE 6 |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 7B - DECISIONS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF MEMBERS | SEE RESPONSE ABOVE REGARDING LINE 6. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 10B - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING CHAPTERS | WCS HAS NO CHAPTERS. WCS HAS BRANCH OFFICES IN A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS. WCS HAS AFFILIATES. WCS HAS ADOPTED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO ITS BRANCH OFFICES AND AFFILIATES. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 11B - ORGANIZATION'S PROCESS TO REVIEW FORM 990 | WCS'S 990 IS PREPARED BY THE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMPTROLLER'S STAFF IN CONSULTATION WITH OTHER WCS OFFICERS AND STAFF AND WCS'S OUTSIDE AUDITORS. THE DRAFT IS REVIEWED BY THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL AND BY WCS'S OUTSIDE AUDITORS. BEFORE FILING, THE DRAFT 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND PROVIDED TO THE ENTIRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BY POSTING ON A SECURE WEBSITE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL THE TRUSTEES. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 12C - ENFORCEMENT OF CONFLICTS POLICY | WCS'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS ADOPTED A WRITTEN CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY APPLICABLE TO TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES AND ANOTHER WRITTEN CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY APPLICABLE TO EMPLOYEES. UNDER THESE POLICIES, TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE CONFLICTS AND POSSIBLE CONFLICTS WHENEVER THEY BECOME AWARE OF THEM. IN ADDITION, THE INDIVIDUAL WITH A CONFLICT MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSIDERATION OR ACTION ON THE RELEVANT MATTER. ANNUALLY TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS AND CERTAIN MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN A STATEMENT AFFIRMING THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE POLICY AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO ABIDE BY IT, AND ALSO TO IDENTIFY KNOWN CONFLICTS AND POSSIBLE CONFLICTS. UNDER THE APPLICABLE POLICY, ANY CONFLICT OR POSSIBLE CONFLICT IS TO BE DEALT WITH ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. IN THE CASE OF EMPLOYEES, BY MANAGEMENT UNDER SUPERVISION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, AND IN THE CASE OF TRUSTEES, BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 15A - COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR TOP OFFICIAL | UNDER THE WCS BYLAWS, THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY TO FIX THE COMPENSATION OF ALL CORPORATE OFFICERS. THAT COMMITTEE DECIDES THE FORM AND AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND SENIOR MANAGERS USING THE METHODS LISTED IN SCHEDULE J, PART I LINE 3. THE COMMITTEE IS COMPOSED OF PERSONS WITHOUT A CONFLICT WITH RESPECT TO ITS COMPENSATION DECISIONS, EXCEPT THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, WHO IS RECUSED FROM ALL DECISIONS RELATED TO HIS COMPENSATION. THE COMMITTEE RELIES ON APPROPRIATE DATA AS TO THE REaSONABLENESS OF COMPENSATION AND DOCUMENTS THE BASIS FOR EACH DECISION AT THE TIME THE DECISION IS MADE. THIS REVIEW IS DONE EVERY YEAR. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 15B - COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR OFFICERS | YES, SEE ABOVE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 19 - GOVERNING DOCUMENTS DISCLOSURE EXPLANATION | OUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, IRS 990, AND IRS 990T ARE POSTED AND AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AND ARE FURNISHED UPON REQUEST. THE IRS 990 IS ALSO POSTED ON GUIDESTAR. GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ARE FURNISHED UPON REQUEST. |
| FORM 990, PART VII - RELATED ORGANIZATIONS | INDIVIDUALS LISTED IN PART VII, COLUMN (A), DEVOTED THE FOLLOWING ESTIMATED HOURS PER WEEK TO RELATED ORGANIZATIONS. FOR ALL OTHER INDIVIDUALS LISTED IN PART VII, COLUMN (A), ZERO HOURS PER WEEK WERE DEVOTED TO RELATED ORGANIZATIONS. JOHN F. CALVELLI - 0.1 HRS/WK JOHN G. ROBINSON - 0.3 HRS/WK CHRISTOPHER J. MCKENZIE - 0.5 HRS/WK ROBERT CALAMO - 0.5 HRS/WK ROBERT G. MENZI - 0.2 HRS/WK LAURA STOLZENTHALER - 0.2 HRS/WK |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9-OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS EXPLANATION | Capital GAIN on K-1's (591,830) Ordinary Loss from K-1 389,634 Postretirement-related change (6,085,486) ___________ Total Part XI line 9 (5,047,136) |
| FORM 990, PARTS VIII, IX, X AND SCHEDULES | EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON WCS ACTIVITIES See Narrative Schedule O Part III Line 4a |
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