POWELL – The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Lipps as its first conservation biologist, a newly-created position that underscores the zoo’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity and wildlife conservation. This expands the zoo’s significant partnership with The Ohio State University (OSU), focusing on the protection of species, habitats and ecosystems.

As a recognized leader in the field of conservation biology, Lipps brings a wealth of experience to this role. His extensive work as Ohio’s amphibian and reptile conservation coordinator has resulted in major statewide conservation efforts, bringing together community groups, landowners, scientists, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to protect Ohio’s vulnerable amphibians and reptiles. Lipps has been instrumental in the success of critical conservation initiatives, including the Ohio Hellbender Partnership and the establishment of the Captina Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust that now manages nearly 1,900 acres of protected land in Belmont County, Ohio.

“Greg’s appointment marks an important milestone for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium,” said Dr. Michael Kreger, vice president of conservation at the Columbus Zoo. “His contributions to the conservation science of Ohio species like the eastern hellbender, plains garter snake, and Massasauga rattlesnake have been transformative, and we are excited to have him lead our efforts in this vital area.”

Lipps was honored with the zoo’s 2023 Commitment to Conservation Award, recognizing his outstanding lifetime achievements in wildlife conservation. The award, established in 2011, celebrates conservation heroes who have made measurable impacts on global wildlife preservation and have had a long-term working relationship with the zoo.

As the Columbus Zoo’s conservation biologist, Lipps will lead recovery efforts for species of greatest conservation need in the state at the Zoo’s Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation (OCWC), which will be an important part of the North America Trek region that opens in 2025. He will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve the status of Ohio’s most vulnerable wildlife species. His duties will include providing strategic guidance to enhance the OCWC’s conservation mission, securing grants for conservation projects, delivering educational presentations at conferences and workshops, and maintaining an active role in the Ohio chapter of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (OHPARC).

Through the Zoo-OSU partnership, Lipps will also continue his statewide research, public awareness programs, and efforts to recover amphibian and reptile populations across Ohio. At Ohio State, he will generate projects through the Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership (OBCP). The OBCP is a partnership between the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, the School of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife that seeks to advance science-based management and conservation of the diversity of animals in Ohio to ensure sustainable ecosystems into the future. Additionally, Lipps will lead the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Program, recruit and supervise research teams, coordinate conservation activities with partners, and contribute to scientific publications.

“We look forward to the impact Greg will make in his expanded role at the Columbus Zoo and through our ongoing partnership with OSU,” said Columbus Zoo President and CEO Tom Schmid. “His leadership will be crucial as we continue to advance our conservation initiatives to help protect the future for Ohio’s diverse wildlife.”

For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, conservation initiatives, events, and more, follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, and ColumbusZoo.org.

Submitted by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.