Rhode Island Zoological Society (RIZS) is the non-profit organization that supports and maintains Roger Williams Park Zoo.  RIZS works to secure the public and private sector support needed by the Zoo to continue to develop new world-class exhibits [linked to about/master-plan],  make significant contributions to conservation and serve the community as a valuable source of environmental education, recreation and economic development.

By the mid 1960's, like so many zoos across the country, Roger Williams Park Zoo was showing visible signs of neglect. One determined individual, Sophie Danforth, recognized that the Zoo was an extremely valuable institution in need of organized assistance. She founded The Society in 1962 to increase public awareness and support for the Zoo and to raise funds from the private sector.

The Society will celebrate its 50^th anniversary in 2012.

Rhode Island Zoological Society
Board of Trustees (2011)

Chairman Emeritus

Sophie F. Danforth

Trustees Emeritus
Margaret E. Curran, Esq.
Thomas P. Dimeo
Rosalie Fain
Jocelin Hamblett
Stephen Hamblett*
Bradford B. Kopp
Arthur D. Little
Nancy G. R. Moger
Richard Nadeau
Jane S. Nelson
Michael C. Noble
John J. Palumbo
Michael A. Salvadore, Sr.
Robert F. Stoico

Officers
Cate M. Roberts, Chair
Maribeth Q. Williamson, Vice Chair
Stephen W. Shippee, Treasurer
Margaret Ferguson, Secretary

Board of Trustees
Stephanie Chafee
Barbara S. Cottam
Susan Gorgi
James S. Harper III, V.M.D.
Mark Haskins
Dr. Thomas Husband
Lisa Koelle
Patrick LeBeau
Kimberley M. Little
Liz Rollins Mauran
John J. McNamee, C.P.A.
Alison McNaughton
Howard Merten
Elaine Moy-Gederman
Eric Nyman
Alix Ogden
Ann Pehle
John “Jay” Ryan
Philip A. Segal, Jr.
Lou H. Schwechheimer
Scott D. Warsheski

Ex-Officio
Robert McMahon, Superintendent of Parks        
Jack Mulvena, Executive Director
           
* In Memoriam