Inspiring the Next Generation of Conservationists

Woodland Park Zoo volunteer Carol Proesel’s lifelong passion for animals makes her an ideal member of the zoo family. After retiring from Northern Trust and relocating to Seattle from Chicago, Carol was skeptical that any zoo could meet her high expectations set by her beloved Lincoln Park Zoo, where she spent countless hours volunteering.

Yet, she gave Woodland Park Zoo a try and since 2013, she has served as an invaluable asset to our keepers and visitors. Carol also supports the place she now loves most with philanthropic resources to ensure the zoo can thrive today and for future generations.

From her first volunteer shift, it was a true match made in heaven. Carol’s mentor and zoo volunteer introduced her to the zoo’s Family Farm, where she serves as a keeper aid volunteer and helps prepare meals for the goats, pigs and donkeys. Connecting with the goats (her favorite) and seeing children interact with the animals keep Carol inspired.

“The farm plays an important part helping with empathy for youngsters, teaching them to be kind and gentle with animals,” Carol says. “Personally, my volunteer experience at the Family Farm has allowed me to truly connect with animals directly.”

This connection between humans and animals plays a vital role in Woodland Park Zoo’s empathy work. Carol describes this as an opportunity to “know that we are living in their home, and not they in our home. The zoo increases awareness of their natural habitats and vulnerability in the wild.”

According to Carol, one of the zoo’s best kept secrets is how our animal care team and volunteers go the extra mile for our more than 900 animals. Specifically, she wants more people to know about the treatments for our older animals—which include laser treatments, physical therapy and massage to make them comfortable and help them live their best lives.

Woodland Park Zoo plays a very important role in Carol’s life. “After completing my docent training, I honestly felt like I had completed college level courses,” she says. “The training and the people I met, both staff and volunteers, have truly enriched my life,” she says. In addition, Carol finds joy in sharing the zoo with her children and grandchildren, who love the zoo’s summer camp programs.

To ensure the zoo continues to inspire future generations of children and adults, Carol has named the zoo as a beneficiary of her Roth IRA and contributes to the zoo annually. “I donate to specific areas like animal health, Family Farm and, most recently, to the Living Northwest Conservation program. I believe in estate planning, and also want to enjoy the benefits of my donations while I am alive.”

The continued generosity of our LionHearts Society members like Carol ensures that we will continue creating an incredible zoo experience that saves species here in the Pacific Northwest and around the world while inspiring new conservationists. Thank you for being part of Woodland Park Zoo’s LionHearts Society and supporting our mission today, and forever.

If you would like more information about using your IRA to support Woodland Park Zoo or including a gift to us in your estate plan, please contact Alex Kerl at 206.548.2437 or alex.kerl@zoo.org.