Saint Louis Zoo announces 2018 awards

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Saint Louis Zoo announced its 2018 Conservation and three other Saint Louis Awards at its 27th annual Marlin Perkins Society Celebration on November 14th.

The Marlin Perkins Society has grown from 48 to more than 1,100 members over the past 27 years and has generated over $27 million in revenue – all to help fund Zoo operations.

Conservation Award

The Saint Louis Zoo Conservation Award was presented to Onnie Byers, Ph.D., Chair of the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG). The CPSG is a part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the world’s oldest and largest conservation organization. It takes much coordination to get many organizations to work together, and in her leadership role, Dr. Byers is responsible for the organization, design and facilitation of a wide range of species conservation planning to help save wildlife. Dr. Byers has been instrumental in facilitating conservation planning around the world, which includes her work with the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute as an affiliate scientist. She has participated in strategic planning sessions for the WildCare Institute, as well as planning sessions to save hellbenders and American burying beetles.

The Saint Louis Zoo Conservation Award is presented by the Saint Louis Zoological Park Commissioner to recognize the achievements of someone who has contributed to the understanding and appreciation of wildlife throughout his or her lifetime.

Individual Award

The Saint Louis Zoo Individual Award was presented to Judy and Jerry Kent. Mr. and Mrs. Kent began their philanthropic journey at the Zoo as members in 1998 and have since grown to be dedicated Marlin Perkins Society members and avid Zoo supporters. Their most prominent gift to the Zoo is recognized at Sea Lion Sound, which also was selected as the “Best Zoo Exhibit” by USA Today’s 10Best for 2018. Along with gifts to The Living Promise Campaign, the Kents also have dedicated many years of support to the Zoo as members of the Heritage Society. Jerry served on the Saint Louis Zoo Association Board in 2007 and later continued his admirable commitment of service on the Zoological Park Commission in 2013 and then serving as its Chairman.

The Saint Louis Zoo presented its 2018 Saint Louis Zoo Individual Award to Jerry and Judy Kent at the 27th annual Marlin Perkins Society Celebration on Nov. 14, 2018. (S. CARMODY PHOTOGRAPHY)

Corporate Award

The Saint Louis Zoo Corporate Award was presented to Centene Corporation. Through its corporate charitable foundation, green practices, community outreach and social responsibility, Centene has been a leader in the St. Louis metropolitan region. The company and its employees are committed to a mission of transforming the health of the community they serve. Centene has been transformational with their involvement at the Saint Louis Zoo. They have supported Zoo events, and many Centene employees have served as board members and corporate volunteers. Centene has been a Marlin Perkins Society corporate member for 10 years, and many Centene executives are individual members as well. The Centene Charitable Foundation has supported the Zoo as an underwriter for A Zoo Ado and ZOOFARI. The company’s gift to The Living Promise Campaign is recognized at the Sea Lion Sound show pool as is their support in Centene Grizzly Ridge.

Jeffery P. Bonner (left), Dana Brown President & CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo, and Joe Ambrose (far right), President of the Saint Louis Zoo Association, presented the 2018 Saint Louis Zoo Corporate Award to Centene Corporation at the 27th annual Marlin Perkins Society Celebration on Nov. 14, 2018. Accepting the award for Centene were Mark Eggert (second from left), Caryl Flannery (center), and Cynthia Brinkley (second from right). (S. CARMODY PHOTOGRAPHY)

Foundation Award

The Caleb C. and Julia W. Dula Educational and Charitable Foundation received the Saint Louis Zoo Foundation Award. Since the Foundation’s first gift to the Saint Louis Zoo in 1996, the Dula Foundation has consistently sought to assist the Zoo in its conservation and educational endeavors. Besides financial gifts, the Foundation trustees have provided their leadership and insight in helping the Saint Louis Zoo as board and committee members. The Foundation has provided the Zoo with over $900,000 in financial support through gifts and grants and has expressed its longstanding commitment to the Zoo through generous annual unrestricted gifts. The Foundation’s philanthropy is recognized in River’s Edge at the “Wightman Warthog Wallow.”

The 2018 Saint Louis Zoo Foundation Award was presented to the Caleb C. and Julia W. Dula Educational and Charitable Foundation at the Zoo’s 27th annual Marlin Perkins Society Celebration on Nov. 14, 2018. From left: Susan Werner and Ashley Wightman Scott, Trustees of the Dula Foundation. (S. CARMODY PHOTOGRAPHY)

The Individual, Corporate and Foundation Awards are presented by the Saint Louis Zoo Association to honor those Zoo supporters and advocates whose commitments exceed expectations in contributing both time and resources to the Zoo.

FEATURED IMAGE/R. Eric Miller, Executive Director of Saint Louis Zoo Wild Care Institute, Onnie Byers, Ph.D., Chair of the Conservation Planning Specialist Group and Winthrop B. Reed III, Chair of the Saint Louis Zoological Park Commission/S. CARMODY PHOTOGRAPHY

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