Affordable Access to All. Not at Our SFZoo.
I was shocked to learn that Director Tanya Peterson had opted out of participating in the Museums For All Program.
For those not familiar with the program, I took snips from the website.
> It allows those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) to can gain reduced admission, ranging from free to $5.00, to visitors presenting their EBT card. ... Museums for All is a national, branded access program that encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. ... Museums for All invites low-income visitors to feel welcome at cultural institutions. <
For a full description of program and list of participants visit..
Local participants include Calfiornia Academy of Sciences, DeYoung Museum, Aquarium of the Bay, Exploration and Oakland Zoo, who's website states, "We are proud to be a part of Museums for All..."
In my opinion, stopping this program shows that the Zoo is not inclusive to all income levels.
My second reaction was wondering if because of the timing, this wasn't some kind of money saving tactic to fund Peterson's Panda Plan.
Either way, it's in very poor taste, and discriminative. ... And to do it allegedly right before the Holidays, seems Calculated and Grinch-y!
Peterson may argue that there are still Free Days. Those days, which are typically first Wednesdays, have no bearing on the availability to All that the Museums for All discount helped. There are people and families who do not have the flexibility to visit the Zoo mid-week, due to work and school.
The Zoo does continue to offer a discount on Membership for SNAP recipients, which was implemented this past Summer. The discount is substantial, at 50% off all levels. That said, this Community Access Discount was never advertised, and doesn't come up from a search on their website. ... It seems like they want to keep it a secret.
The Community Access Discount on Membership is awesome and valuable to many, but does not help low-income day visitors or families who may not visit often, or can't afford a membership, even at the discounted rate.
*Update: I wrote this three days ago, Monday morning, before I went on my Zoo walk. I didn't publish it because I had a thought that I did remember seeing it on their website once, even though I remember thinking it was curiously placed and not easily found in regards to membership. When I didn't find it at all on a site search for this post, I asked when I got to the Zoo.
The Community Access Discount for Membership has also been discontinued. Last day was January 17, 2025.
Tanya Peterson is not a Friend to the Animals at Our Zoo, and not a Friend to Low-Income Members of Our Community. She needs to go. ... The Zoological Society supports her actions, whether against the innocent Animals who live at Our Zoo, or against certain groups of people. Our Zoo is desperate for big changes in Management. None of this is okay.
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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget. I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that. Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags. Does it help in searches, who knows.
#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees , #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison
This seems exclusionary, stingy, callous, and selfish - all words one could use to describe Tanya Peterson.
ReplyDeleteEliminating this policy goes against the charitable and benevolent spirit of public service.
From the zoo’s own website, SFZoo.org:
‘The mission of San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is to connect all people with wildlife, inspire caring for nature and advance’
Life is so hard for so many in San Francisco, and beyond. Why not be continue to be a source of joy and adventure?
If revenue is the issue, no one need look further than Tanya’s self-serving avarice. A caring director might take a pay cut. What does she do to deserve such a big salary anyway?
@Anonymous ... Thank you for your comment. Yes all those words and more are applicable to both Tanya Peterson's character and management style.
DeleteEveryone I had personally told, was angered by this action.
Thank you for pointing out yet another hypocrisy in the Zoo's Mission Statement. Right on target. .. "... connect ALL people..."
Tanya doesn't care about anyone's Joy. Orangutans had NO Joy living in cages, looking down at Chimps with frowns.
Pay Cut, you jest! She would never. Not even during Covid shutdowns, when Animal Keepers had to. She and top seven, no pay cut and still got bonuses!!! ... Rightfully so you ask, as she clearly does not deserve the salary she makes.