Lehigh Valley Zoological Society

What Lehigh Valley Zoological Society does

Lehigh Valley Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating Lehigh Valley Zoo, a 29-acre zoological park located within the 1,100-acre Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania. Founded as the managing entity in 2004 but with institutional roots tracing to the 1906 establishment of Trexler Nature Preserve, the organization is AZA-accredited and maintains a collection of 325+ animals across 125+ species, including 22+ species managed under the AZA Species Survival Plan Program. It employs approximately 50 full-time staff with additional seasonal and part-time personnel, and serves 230,000+ annual visitors primarily from Eastern Pennsylvania and Western New Jersey.

The organization's product surface is anchored by daytime zoo admission ($12-$18 per ticket depending on age and group size) and supplemented by a diversified portfolio of revenue modules: tiered annual memberships ($65-$500) with AZA reciprocity at 150+ institutions; corporate sponsorships (St. Luke's, Jaindl Farms, LVHN, First Commonwealth FCU, Kay Builders, and others); signature events including the Winter Light Spectacular (55,000+ guests annually), Conservation Gala, and RunWild 5K/10K; education programs serving 35,000+ students per year; animal encounters ($149-$400 per session); birthday party packages; summer camps ($200-$400); facility rentals; and a symbolic A.D.O.P.T. animal adoption program. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via the FareHarbor booking platform, gate admissions, and membership sales, with corporate sponsorship handled through an internal sales and marketing function led by a Director of Sales and Marketing.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue architecture: earned revenue from admissions, memberships, programs, and events is supplemented by charitable contributions, corporate partnerships, and capital campaign fundraising, most recently targeting a $10 million Children's Activity Area project ($3.7M raised as of December 2025). The organization maintains multi-channel marketing across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and email, and has executed a sustained cadence of exhibit expansions (Habitat Madagascar in 2023, Rothrock Red Panda Peak in 2024, Children's Activity Area Phase 1 in 2025, Phase 2 groundbreaking in 2026) alongside recent animal acquisitions and conservation partnerships with the Seneca Nation of Indians and Wildlife Restoration Foundation.

Name

Lehigh Valley Zoological Society

Legal name

Lehigh Valley Zoological Society

Website

https://lvzoo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Lehigh Valley Zoological Society operates an AZA-accredited nonprofit zoo within Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville, PA, serving 230,000+ annual visitors through admission, memberships, education programs, corporate sponsorships, signature events like Winter Light Spectacular, and conservation initiatives across 325+ animals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoos and Wildlife Conservation Education

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL), Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation education
• Zoo admission services
• Animal encounter programs
• Membership zoo passes
• Nonprofit zoological services

Headquarters

HQ city

Schnecksville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: Entry fees for zoo daytime admission; tiered pricing by age category; revenue collected at gate or via online booking platform FareHarbor.
2. Memberships: Annual membership passes providing unlimited daytime admission, discounts on events and retail, and reciprocity with other AZA zoos. Multiple tiers from Individual ($65) to President's Circle ($500).
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; includes one-time gifts, recurring gifts, tribute gifts, commemorative bricks and benches, and legacy/planned gifts.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual partnerships with local businesses for animal habitat naming rights, event presentation, and educational program sponsorship. Valued business partners include St. Luke's, Jaindl Farms, LVHN, First Commonwealth FCU, and others.
5. Events and Special Programming: Revenue from signature events including Winter Light Spectacular, Conservation Gala, RunWild 5K/10K, and adult day camps. VIP ticket upgrades available for premium experiences.
6. Education Programs: Fees for group programs, camps, animal encounters, keeper for a day, job shadow, zoo tours, scout programs, and virtual programming.
7. Retail and Concessions: On-site dining through Geakers at the Zoo and Cockatoo Cafe; retail through The Nature Store; ice cream through Mini Melts; animal adoption packages through A.D.O.P.T. program.
8. Facility Rentals: Private event rentals including birthday parties, corporate events, and group outings at venue spaces like Penguin Pavilion, Outdoor Dining Terrace, and Bison Lodge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Lehigh Valley Zoological Society operates an AZA-accredited nonprofit zoo on a 29-acre site within the 1,100-acre Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, providing daytime animal exhibits and educational programming centered on wildlife conservation. The core service is daytime zoo admission complemented by fee-based animal encounters, education programs, summer camps, birthday party packages, annual memberships, facility rentals, signature events such as Winter Light Spectacular, and corporate sponsorships. The organization's mission is to connect its community with nature to empower people to protect wildlife, supported by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit structure relying on admissions, memberships, donations, and event revenue.

Product overview

Lehigh Valley Zoo operates as a single-visit admission-based attraction with multiple interconnected experience modules. The core product is daytime zoo admission providing access to over 325 animal ambassadors across 125+ species. Additional revenue streams include Animal Encounters (private animal interaction programs), Group Programs (school and organization educational visits), Birthday Party Packages, Summer Camps, Annual Memberships, and Facility Rentals. The zoo also hosts seasonal Special Events including the major Winter Light Spectacular holiday light display. Education Programs and Conservation initiatives serve as mission-driven offerings supporting the zoo's nonprofit conservation education objectives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zoo Admission Tickets Daytime admission to Lehigh Valley Zoo providing access to all animal exhibits, habitats, and general guest facilities across the 29-acre zoo within Trexler Nature Preserve. Sold at gate or online via FareHarbor with tiered pricing by age category and group rates for 15+ guests.
• Animal Encounters Private educational programs offering up-close interactions with ambassador animals including giraffes, penguins, sloths, otters, raccoons, reptiles, skunks, and crowned cranes. Each encounter includes an educational presentation and direct animal interaction for participants ages 5 and up.
• Group Programs Educational programs for schools and community groups including Animal Kingdom Presentations, Conservation Exploration Programs, Sensory Programs, Zoo Tours, Virtual Programming, and Zoo Reach outreach. Programs align with Pennsylvania Department of Education Science Standards and serve over 35,000 students annually.
• Birthday Party Packages Two-hour daytime birthday party packages for children including private party room, zoo admission for up to 20 guests, free birthday child admission, and optional pizza, drinks, ambassador animal presentations, and Adopt an Animal add-on.
• Summer Camps Week-long summer day camps for children ages 4-14 featuring animal-themed activities, nature exploration, and hands-on encounters with animal ambassadors. Programs include Animal Adventures ($200), Zoo Detective Camp ($300), Jr. Zookeeper Camp ($400), and other themed camps.
• Zoo Memberships Annual membership programs offering unlimited daytime admission, discounts on events, dining, and retail, and free or discounted admission to over 150 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. Tiers include Individual ($65), Couple ($95), Family ($125), Family Plus ($175), and President's Circle ($500).
• Winter Light Spectacular Annual holiday light display event featuring over 1.7 million twinkling lights, nightly musical princess performances, photos with Santa, seasonal treats, and VIP experiences. Averages 55,000 guests annually since debut in 2014 and has been featured by USA Today and Los Angeles Times.
• Facility Rentals Private event rentals for family reunions, company picnics, and fundraisers at venue spaces including Penguin Pavilion, Outdoor Dining Terrace, and Bison Lodge. Used for corporate events, team-building, and group outings.
• Keeper for a Day Behind-the-scenes three-hour program for animal lovers ages 10 and up to experience zookeeping duties, including an exclusive zoo tour and behind-the-scenes access. Priced at $250 per participant.
• Adopt an Animal (A.D.O.P.T.) Symbolic animal adoption program where 100% of purchases support animal education and conservation efforts. Available for animals including bison, giraffe, sloth, wolf, penguin, and kangaroo.

Quantifiable outcome

• Educated more than 5 million people since founding
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• Seneca Nation of IndianscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Bison conservation partnership facilitated by Wildlife Restoration Foundation. LV Zoo, Lehigh County, and Seneca Nation collaborated on bison relocation from Trexler Nature Preserve to Seneca Nation lands in New York. Part of broader tribal buffalo program to protect bison species while preserving North America's cultural heritage.
• Wildlife Restoration FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Facilitation partner for bison relocation program between LV Zoo and Seneca Nation. WRF coordinates Zoo-Tribe Partnership and supports conservation herd management at Trexler Nature Preserve.
• Lehigh CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-management of Trexler Nature Preserve bison and elk herds. County owns the preserve; LV Zoo provides daily management of the 1,100-acre preserve's wildlife and the 29-acre zoo facility since 2004.
• Lehigh Valley Health Network (now Jefferson Health)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Motherhood Partner of LV Zoo. Sponsorship of LVHN Otter Stadium. Collaborative animal births and veterinary care. Healthcare partner supporting zoo's conservation mission.
• St. Luke's University Health NetworkflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of St. Luke's Children's Hospital Playground within Children's Activity Area. Lead donor in CAA capital campaign. Healthcare network partnership for family wellness and children's programming.
• First Commonwealth Federal Credit UnionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of First Commonwealth FCU Giraffe Barn. Naming rights for giraffe habitat. Corporate sponsor for education programming and events.
• United Federal Credit UnionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of RunWild 5K/10K conservation fundraiser. Corporate sponsor of birthday party packages. Financial services partner with community focus.
• Jaindl FarmsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNaming sponsor of Jaindl Penguin Pavilion. Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard lead donor. Long-standing community partner in conservation and agriculture. David Jaindl serves on Board of Directors.
• Kay BuildersflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of annual Conservation Gala. CAA campaign lead donor. Real estate development company with strong community investment in Lehigh Valley.
• Arbor Insurance GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Bluey Summer Bubble Bash event. Insurance provider supporting family-friendly zoo events and community engagement.
• Kilimanjaro DistilleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Spirit Station at Winter Light Spectacular, offering warm refreshments during holiday event.
• Riverbanks Zoo & GardenminorOthersSource zoo for new animal residents. Common ostrich Gabrielle and plains zebra Forrest acquired from Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, SC in May 2026.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Buttonwood Park Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo in New Bedford, MA operated by a nonprofit zoological society. Closely comparable in governance (nonprofit society model), size, education programming, and New England/Mid-Atlantic regional positioning.
• Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: AZA-accredited zoo and conservatory in Saint Paul, MN operated within a city park system. Closely comparable as a free/affordable, conservancy-style zoo with strong education programming and family visitation model.
• Philadelphia Zoo: Pennsylvania-based, AZA-accredited zoological park offering animal exhibits, encounters, and family programming. Directly comparable in category, accreditation tier, and target family demographic in the same Pennsylvania market as Lehigh Valley Zoo.
• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: AZA-accredited zoological institution in Pittsburgh, PA offering animal exhibits, education programs, and signature events. Comparable in category and Pennsylvania footprint, though larger in scale and visitor capacity.
• Elmwood Park Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo in Norristown, PA offering animal exhibits, education programs, and signature events. Closest peer in scale, governance structure, and regional Eastern Pennsylvania family market.
• Brandywine Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo in Wilmington, DE within Brandywine Park, operated by the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Highly comparable in size, exhibit style, and Mid-Atlantic family/education focus.

Broad incumbents

• Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): One of the world's largest AZA-accredited zoos operated by WCS in New York City. Comparable in nonprofit zoological mission and conservation programming but at metropolitan scale well beyond Lehigh Valley Zoo's regional scope.
• Smithsonian's National Zoo: Major federally-operated zoological park in Washington, DC with global brand recognition. Overlaps with LV Zoo in mission and exhibits but operates at vastly greater scale and as a free public institution rather than a membership-driven nonprofit.

Regional players

• Hersheypark: Major Pennsylvania-based family entertainment destination including Hershey's ZooAmerica. Competes for the same regional family visitation, ticket spend, and group outing dollars within driving distance of the Lehigh Valley.
• Clyde Peeling's Reptiland: Specialty zoo in Allenwood, PA focused on reptiles and amphibians with education programming. Comparable as a Pennsylvania-based, education-forward animal attraction, though narrower in species scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LehighValleyZooYouTube/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/LehighValleyZoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lehigh-valley-zoological-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/lvzoo
• TikToktiktok.com/@lehighvalleyzoo

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lehigh Valley Zoological Society