Zoo Buddy: Box Turtles! – KNOE

Report on the Conservation and Educational Role of the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This report outlines the activities of the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, focusing on its role in conservation, education, and community development. The zoo’s initiatives, particularly concerning the native Eastern box turtle, demonstrate a strong commitment to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – Fostering public knowledge and awareness of local biodiversity.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Protecting and promoting the welfare of terrestrial ecosystems and native species.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Serving as a vital cultural and green infrastructure asset for the community.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborating with community organizations and volunteers to achieve conservation objectives.

Species Profile: The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

The Eastern box turtle, a species common to North Louisiana, serves as a key subject for the zoo’s educational and conservation messaging. Its biological and behavioral characteristics are outlined below:

• Anatomy: The turtle’s shell is an integral part of its body, fused to the spine and composed of vascular keratin. This structure makes the shell sensitive to touch.
• Defense Mechanism: The species is named for its ability to fully enclose its head and limbs within its shell, forming a protective “box” against predators.
• Habitat and Behavior: As a terrestrial species, it cannot swim but frequents shallow water bodies to cool down.
• Diet and Toxicity: Its diet includes various types of mushrooms, which can render the turtle poisonous if ingested by a predator.
• Reproduction: Females lay clutches of 7 to 14 eggs underground.

Contribution to SDG 15: Life on Land

The zoo directly supports the protection of local biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems. By housing and providing information on the Eastern box turtle, the institution contributes to SDG 15 in the following ways:

1. Educating the public on the species’ physiology, thereby dispelling harmful myths such as the belief that a turtle can be separated from its shell.
2. Promoting awareness of native wildlife, which is fundamental to the conservation of local biodiversity.
3. Providing a controlled environment for species observation and appreciation, reducing pressure on wild populations.

Contribution to SDG 4: Quality Education

The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo functions as a center for community learning, advancing SDG 4 by providing accessible and engaging educational opportunities. While the main Reptile Building is temporarily closed, educational outreach continues through several channels:

• Formal Programming: Reptiles, including the box turtle, are available for inclusion in structured educational programs and private events such as birthday parties.
• Informal Learning: Zoo staff facilitate informal educational encounters by taking animals on walks through the zoo grounds, allowing for direct public engagement.

Contribution to SDG 11 & SDG 17: Sustainable Communities and Partnerships

The zoo enhances community well-being and fosters collaborative action, aligning with the principles of SDG 11 and SDG 17.

• Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 11): The development of the new Louisiana Purchase Exhibit, projected to open in spring 2026, represents a significant investment in the region’s cultural and educational infrastructure.
• Public Engagement and Partnerships (SDG 17): The zoo actively encourages community involvement through its volunteer program, which is managed in partnership with the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society. This collaboration is a model for achieving shared conservation goals.

Operational and Contact Information

• Exhibit Status: The Reptile Building is closed during the construction of the new Louisiana Purchase Exhibit.
• Public Inquiries: For more information, the public may call 318-329-2400.
• Hours of Operation: The zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Interested parties can contact the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society via its Facebook page.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • The article mentions that the zoo offers educational programs where the public can interact with reptiles. This directly relates to providing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, specifically in the area of environmental and biodiversity education.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo serves as a green public space and a site of natural heritage for the community of Monroe. The article highlights its accessibility by providing opening hours and information on activities, and it mentions ongoing construction for a new exhibit, which is an effort to safeguard and enhance this community asset.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  • The core subject of the article is the Eastern box turtle, a terrestrial species. By housing these animals, the zoo contributes to the conservation of biodiversity (ex-situ conservation) and raises public awareness about local wildlife and terrestrial ecosystems, which is crucial for protecting life on land.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • The article encourages community involvement by mentioning the opportunity to volunteer with the zoo through the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society. This highlights a partnership between a public institution and civil society to achieve common goals related to conservation and education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.7

   • Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development…and appreciation of…biodiversity. The article points to this target by stating, “you can request some reptiles at educational programs or birthday parties,” which are platforms for educating the public about biodiversity and local species like the box turtle.

2. Target 11.4

   • Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. The zoo itself is a form of natural heritage for the community. The mention of “construction continues on the new Louisiana Purchase Exhibit” shows an active effort to maintain and improve this community resource.

3. Target 11.7

   • By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces. The article details that “The zoo is open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.” and provides links for prices, indicating it is an accessible public green space for recreation and learning.

4. Target 15.5

   • Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and…protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. By housing and caring for box turtles, the zoo participates in the conservation of local fauna. Educating the public about them, as described in the article, is a key component of broader conservation strategies aimed at protecting species in their natural habitats.

5. Target 17.17

   • Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article’s call to action, “You can also volunteer with the zoo. Contact the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society through their Facebook page,” is a direct example of fostering a partnership between the zoo and the public (civil society) to support its mission.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 4.7

   • The article implies an indicator through the availability of “educational programs.” Progress could be measured by the number of educational programs conducted or the number of participants in these programs.

2. Indicator for Target 11.4

   • The ongoing “construction crews believe the new exhibit will be open sometime in the spring of 2026” implies an indicator related to investment in cultural and natural heritage. Progress could be measured by the total expenditure on the preservation, protection, and conservation of the zoo as a natural heritage site.

3. Indicator for Target 11.7

   • The article states the zoo is “open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.” and offers various activities. An implied indicator is the number of annual visitors to the zoo, which would measure the public’s access to and use of this green space.

4. Indicator for Target 15.5

   • While not a formal UN indicator, the context of the article implies that the number of native species housed and cared for by the zoo could serve as a measure of its contribution to ex-situ conservation and biodiversity protection.

5. Indicator for Target 17.17

   • The mention of volunteering with the “Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society” directly points to an indicator. Progress can be measured by the number of volunteers engaged with the zoo through its partnership with the zoological society.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: knoe.com