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“In 2012, I set what I thought at the time was a bit of an outrageous goal,” says Ed Louis, director of conservation genetics at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, and founder and general director of the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP). “I said I wanted to plant a million trees in Madagascar over the next five years.”

When Tenley Propst said that all she wanted for Christmas was an elephant, she had no idea she would get that, and more.

There are those who play the field like rabbits, and those who find their true love and stick by them through thick and thin -- like the Madagascan giant jumping rat.

As you probably heard, in 2016, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium surpassed two million visitors for the year. We are thrilled that so many people come every year to enjoy our zoo and educate themselves about conservation. Of course, having that many visitors does pose its own unique environmental challenges.

Welcome to our new blog series highlighting the recipients of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Director’s Award, which honors exceptional talent, leadership and performance. This year, eight individuals received the award, based on projects they completed in 2016 that were broad in scope, complex and had a notable positive impact on zoo operations and/or the guest experience; or showed significant costs savings or added tangible value to a process or park operation or animal husbandry in general.

Today, we’ll hear from Jay Pratte, behavioral husbandry and welfare manager, who was recognized for overseeing the Advancing Bear Care 2016 conference, which was held at the zoo October 6-9, 2016.

In honor of Doc’s 50^th anniversary at the Zoo, we wanted to do something that commemorates all of the things that set him apart (besides his signature bottomless cup of coffee). The perfect tribute is the Dr. Lee G. Simmons Legacy Fund.

If the best gifts are those that have just a little bit of the giver reflected within them, then Mike Faust deserves a spot in the gift-giving hall of fame.

Thanks to the generous support of our patrons and donors from the business community, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has been honored to participate in an international partnership called HARCC (Honduras Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Center) that has been working to reduce the loss of biodiversity in Honduras.

For the past 25 years, families, organizations and individuals have supported Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium through our Adopt-an-Animal program. Their generous sponsorship has been invaluable to the zoo’s mission of animal care, conservation and education.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium will kick off the "50 Days of Doc" on October 13 in celebration of long-time former Zoo director and current Omaha Zoo Foundation chairman Dr. "Doc" Lee G. Simmons’ 50th anniversary.

Most of us who grew up going to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium have fond memories of engaging with the animals in the Red Barn. Over the years, as the zoo expanded, so did the opportunities visitors had to get up close and personal with its residents.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is fortunate to have many jewels in its crown. But one of the things that sets us apart from other zoos and makes us a global leader in conservation and education has always taken place a little behind the scenes.