The Smithsonian National Zoo has increasingly incorporated messaging on gender equity, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and climate change into its programming and communications, according to a review of the institution's website and reports. This shift has drawn criticism from some organizations that argue these initiatives detract from the zoo's primary mission of conservation and species management.
Over the past several years, the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has emphasized issues such as DEI and climate change, as noted on its website. A 2021 article on the zoo's site, co-authored by seabird ecologist Autumn-Lynn Harrison and coral biologist Mary Hagedorn, posited that "gender equity, civil liberties and justice are necessary ingredients for peace and prosperity, but they also have a direct impact on resource use and climate change." The article further suggested that "one direct way we can bolster climate action is by addressing inequities in health and education across the globe."
A search for "climate change" on the zoo's website yields nearly 400 results, with articles addressing its impacts on various wildlife and habitats, including vernal pools, salamanders, wildfires, and coral nurseries.
The Smithsonian Institution has been under scrutiny, with the Trump administration focusing on rooting out what it terms "woke" messaging and DEI practices within federal agencies. The National Zoo's DEI efforts are detailed in its 2023 Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report, which outlines programs such as diversity-focused internships, LGBTQ family programming featuring rainbow-themed animal enrichment, and efforts to promote inclusive language within the zoo and aquarium professions.
Gabriella Hoffman, director of the Independent Women's Forum Center for Energy and Conservation, stated that "Americans visit zoos to learn about conservation efforts and admire animals, not to be shamed or feel guilt-ridden." Hoffman added, "Conservation has, sadly, been infiltrated by elements of DEI, ESG, and climate alarmism. This invites confusion and division into a space that should be science-first."
In 2021, Smithsonian Magazine highlighted the National Zoo's role in launching the Association of Minority Zoo and Aquarium Professionals, an initiative aimed at increasing racial and ethnic minority representation in zoo and aquarium careers. Smithsonian curator Craig Saffoe, a Black man in the field, wrote in the article about his desire to address the "dearth of black and brown faces" in his profession.
LGBTQ family programming has also been a recurring theme, particularly through the zoo's annual International Family Equality Day, which began in 2018. This event aims to engage the LGBTQ community through animal encounters, keeper talks, and other activities. In 2024, the event partnered with local LGBTQ organizations and featured a performance by the GenOUT Youth Chorus. While the zoo formally billed the event as International Family Equality Day, some participating groups referred to it as "Gay Day at the Zoo."
Jason Hayes, a Senior Research Fellow with the Heritage Foundation's Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment, expressed concern that "when ideologies, or at least science that is in question, start to take over and really rule the management of an organization like the zoo, then you start to have problems."
In January 2025, the Smithsonian announced the elimination of its Office of Diversity, aligning with administration efforts to reduce such offices, while stating that visitor accessibility efforts would be retained. However, some work profiles on the zoo's website, including that of Destination DC president and CEO Elliott Ferguson, still mention DEI as part of their professional activities.
Ricardo Stanoss, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's director for conservation capacity, was listed as a principal investigator for a community advisory group exploring a diversity-focused internship program and a master's degree in environmental justice and climate change. The zoo's Great Plains Science Program website also lists "Inclusion" as a core value.
The zoo maintains accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which requires member institutions to have written plans for accessible, welcoming organizational cultures. The AZA's website states that DEI is "embedded in everything we do," and in 2020, the organization acknowledged "systemic racism is embedded in our structures, culture and organizations." The Smithsonian is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), whose gender policy calls for gender-responsive conservation and inclusive participation. Additionally, the zoo collaborates with the Zoological Society of London on conservation efforts, utilizing a "decolonial lens" and aiming to embed 'justice, equity and inclusion' in its conservation work."
When asked for comment on current DEI implementation, a spokesperson for the Smithsonian's National Zoo provided a statement emphasizing its role as "the Nation’s Zoo—a place where people can experience wildlife, learn about the natural world and see conservation in action," and its mission to "save species."