For more than 20 years, The Dawes Arboretum and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have enjoyed a unique and fruitful partnership, working together to support the health and enrichment of the Zoo’s animals through horticulture.
“We keep close tabs on our Main Grounds plant removal list and if a particular plant or plants fit the Zoos' list of approved browse material,” said Dawes’ Collection Specialist Jeff Bowman. “We try to coordinate with them so they will have fresh food for their animals. Renovation projects in The Arboretum’s natural areas can also supply the Zoo’s animals with browse.”
Since 2003, Dawes has supplied the Zoo with over 80,000 linear feet of browse—fresh plant material consisting of leaves, branches and twigs that serves as natural, nutritious food for a variety of animal species. By pruning the plant material, The Arboretum’s collections have the opportunity to grow properly.
“Dawes has things that no one else has,” said Stoyan Lordanov, Horticulture Manager at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. “They are trimming plants that are among the most desirable for our animals. The variety is crucial because different animals prefer different plants at specific growth stages.”
Dawes’ Interim Director of Science & Conservation Holly Latteman states, "We are thrilled that our standards of care for our collections feeds the animals at the Columbus Zoo."
We are proud to continue this collaboration, providing sustainably grown and thoughtfully sourced browse to support the well-being of the animals at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.