Profession, Articles, On a Personal Note
Stacey Ludlum
Growing Small: An Alternate Definition of ...

My company is just me. And that’s by design. I do not intend to hire employees and I purposefully keep my fees and client volume low. I view it as a complete success, but given the common perception of “business success,” I often wonder if others would agree… In this article, I outline my business strategy of Growing Small as an alternate measure of success.

Growing Small: An Alternate Definition of Success
Articles, On a Personal Note, Profession
Stacey Ludlum
Tips for Working with Introverted Consultants

Believe it or not, many consultants, including yours truly, are actually introverts! Learn the best practices for working with introverts by reading Felis Consulting’s somewhat self-effacing and certainly vulnerable ‘Top Tips for Working with Introverted Consultants.’

Tips for Working with Introverted Consultants
How-Tos, Master plans, Profession
Stacey Ludlum
Master Planning 101

As a designer dedicated to the long-term planning of zoos and aquariums, I’ve had to explain the process of master planning many times, and although every zoo and aquarium is different, the best master plans (i.e. those which have been implemented) always follow a similar structure. In this post, we address the most commonly asked questions to help you understand what master planning is, when is the right time to start, and who should be involved.

Master Planning 101
Case Studies, Reviews, Travel
Stacey Ludlum
Columbian Park Zoo: Gold-Standard Small ...

The city of Lafayette, Indiana has one of the oldest—and best—small zoos in the country. Recent renovations, thoughtful and modern designs, and focusing on providing for their local guests as top priority are a few reasons they are successful.

Columbian Park Zoo: Gold-Standard Small Municipal Zoo
Profession, News
Stacey Ludlum
Addressing DEAI in Zoos and Aquariums

Zoos and aquariums have a long way to go related to being community assets that are truly reflective of their surrounding communities. Recent discussions in the AZA suggest that instead waiting for ‘best practice’ solutions, that individual organizations must start somewhere acknowledging that our strategies will evolve as we all learn the most productive ways to approach DEAI.

Addressing DEAI in Zoos and Aquariums

economy

More Evidence of the Economy's Effect on Zoos

From Albuquerque, NM:

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From Reuters:

"Zoos Lack Funds to Inspire Obama's Future Scientists"

 

From Wildlife Conservation Society, New York:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHGuofPUnLo]

Small and Sad: Dubai Zoo's Relocation on Hold Again

Amidst the worldwide economic crisis, Dubai's exponential construction and growth has come to a screeching halt.  Countless numbers of projects have been put on hold, until costcutting measures can be instated, or until the lending market (on which Dubai solely relies for its development capital) thaws. Typical Path at Dubai Zoo

Among these projects is the desperately bad, 5 acre  Dubai Zoo.  Built in the 1960s in the area referred to now as "Old Dubai", the Zoo has a long history of re-designs, master plans, and promises unkept, but this was to be the one that worked. 

The city has been building to its master plan, progressing to the goal of a vast metropolitan area comparable to the world's greats.  Pockets of developments can be seen across the desert; a strange world of clusters of towering skyscrapers dotting a sea of sand, connected by the widest highway you'll ever see.  These pockets are the early developments of the metro's "cities", similar to NYC's burroughs.  Among the cities, Sports City, Industrial City, Waterfront City, and Dubailand. 

Cold Climate Bear Surviving the Scorching Dubai Heat

Dubailand was to be the new home for the Dubai Zoo.  Dubailand, currently under construction and halted, was to be an entertainment haven, offering a variety of theme parks, malls, and, of course, the new Zoo. 

Poor Conditions at Dubai Zoo

Trying to Keep Animals Cool as Best They Can

Details on the new zoo vary widely, but it appears to be approximately 200 acres and will include the zoo, a night safari, resort style accommodations, and education facilities. 

Current Plan for Zoo??

However, it remains to be seen if this relocation will actually occur, or will this just be another in a long line of unkept promises.

Read all about it here.

Aerial Rendering of Proposed Zoo

dubai-zoo-entry-rendering

We're a surprisingly social species.