Green Building Practices
At Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, conservation is always a top priority - even when we construct our buildings. Here is a list of green building practices for our facilities:
Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater & Zoo Hub
- On-site stormwater management
- Extensive use of native plants in the landscape
- 90% efficient HVAC system
- Engineered lumber
- Utilization of excavated rockery for landscaping features
Asia Forest Sanctuary
- Recirculating/filtered water features
- 90% efficient HVAC system
- Engineered lumber
- Recycled concrete for backfill
- Skylights for natural lighting
- Utilization of excavated rockery in exhibit landscaping
Front Gate, Entry, Café & Education Center
- 90% efficient HVAC system
- Engineered lumber
- Recycled concrete for backfill
Kid's Zone
- 90% efficient HVAC system
- Recycled concrete for backfill
- Use of landscaping swales to reduce water runoff to drain system
Health Care Facility
- Adaptive reuse of existing structure
- Roof mounted solar collectors
- Natural ventilation
- Green roof system
- Native plant landscape
- Radiant floor heating
- Rainwater harvesting
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified lumber
- Engineered lumber
- Enhanced daylighting
- 50% flyash concrete
- Recycled glass cullet used for backfill
- 90% efficient HVAC system
- Porous gravel paving
- Recycled sunflower hulls for counter tops
- Concrete wallboard siding
- Solar powered hot water heater
Other Green Practices
- Automatic flush devices to reduce water consumption.
- Hand sensors at sinks to prevent wasting water.
- Mulch throughout all plant beds to reduce irrigation usage.
- Environmentally friendly chemicals used for all housekeeping tasks.
- Drought tolerant and native plants used throughout site to reduce irrigation needs.
- Motion sensor room lighting throughout many facilities.
- Completed a light retrofit program throughout the zoo with a $100,000 loan and $30,000 grant from Tacoma Public Utilities.
- Replaced over 50% of the 600,000 lights used during Zoolights with LED lights.
- Purchase only energy efficient appliances for use throughout the zoo.
- Rain sensors on all irrigation systems to prevent operation during inclement weather.
