The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's mission is to enrich our community's quality of life and to inspire a greater appreciation of wildlife for the advancement of conservation action. Opened in 1927, the Zoo is committed to education, with field trip programs, outreach programs, opportunities for high school age students, educator opportunities, and home school adventure tours. The Zoo is also committed to conservation, providing $1.1 million in support to more than 70 wildlife conservation projects in 23 countries. Projects conducting research and engaging in grassroots conservation on behalf of Africa's great apes, cheetahs, West Indian manatees, Siberian tigers, polar bears, amphibians, and Ohio's endangered freshwater mussels, are among the Zoo's conservation partners for 2008. Over the past five years, the Zoo has distributed - $3.8 million in conservation grants.