Wildlife Conservation Society
Lobbying client
Founded in 1895, the Wildlife Conservation Society operates the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo on New York City parkland under a longstanding agreement with the city, and runs conservation programs globally. With 15 filings since 2024 and $504 million in active city contracts as of August 2026, it lobbied citywide on annual city budget allocations for the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium, seeking both operating and capital funding.
- Council members lobbied
- 51 (citywide)
- Filings (since 2024)
- 15
- Lobbyist firm(s)
- In-house
- Lobbying compensation (since 2024)
- $172,670
- Industry (per city contracts)
- Construction Services
- City contracts (active)
- $503,576,332 · 6 contracts
- Awarded all-time
- $625,569,533 · 81 since 1980, incl. expired
- Paid to date
- $414,249,624
- Won without a fresh bid
- 27% of contract value · $167,854,223 · 20 contracts
- Discretionary funding (FY2009-FY2027)
- $10,383,727 · 316 awards
- Funding history
- Funded every year since FY2009 (19 years running)
- Top officer pay (FY2023)
- $905,749 · Robert G Menzi, EVP Chief Operating Officer
- Based in
- Bronx, NY
Holds contracts at
- Department of Cultural Affairs City agency
- Department of Design and Construction City agency
- Department of Education City agency
- Department of Parks and Recreation City agency
Funded by these agencies
- Department of Citywide Administrative Services City agency
- Department of Cultural Affairs City agency
- Department of Parks and Recreation City agency
What they lobbied on
subjects from their filings
- Budget - City budget support for the Bronx Zoo
- Budget - City operating and capital support for the Bronx Zoo
- Budget - Secure operating and capital support for Bronx Zoo
City contracts
Registered city contracts, largest first by current contract value (not amount spent): running now, then registered to start later, then ended. Totals count every registered contract. Each line shows its Checkbook contract ID. The tag on each row is how it was awarded (“no-bid” = non-competitive).
- THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE C Department of Parks and Recreation · CT18469921986 $450,741,000
- D esign, construction, and construction supervision of capit Department of Parks and Recreation · MMA184620258802745 $49,000,000
- Discretionary Purchase of Electric Shuttles for WCS Department of Cultural Affairs · CT112620251401366 $2,199,000
- DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION & CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION SVCS. Department of Parks and Recreation · CTA184620237203121 $947,021
- Reconstruction of Colonnade Roof Department of Parks and Recreation · CTA184620268802977 $501,811
- Science & Stem Professional Development & Direct Student Department of Education · MA104020269676360 $187,500
- DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION & CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION SERVICES Department of Parks and Recreation · MMA184620186200526 · ended 2023 $30,000,000
- DESIGN, CONST & CONST SUP. SERVICES FOR WILDLIFE CONSV. CNTR Department of Parks and Recreation · CT184620131403096 · ended 2017 $29,995,241
- INSTALLATION OF A SMOKE DETECTION/FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Department of Parks and Recreation · CT184620060014159 · ended 2010 $17,246,050
- WCS: Bronx Zoo- Wildlife Health Center, Phase 1B Department of Design and Construction · CT185020101425351 · ended 2013 $17,105,882
Largest payments, by purpose
The organization's largest individual city payments (roughly $25,000 and up), grouped by purpose, to show what recent money was for. This is NOT a total — smaller payments aren't listed; see “Paid to date” above for the complete amount paid against its contracts. Fiscal years 2020 and later.
- THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE C Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2022 · 9 payments $18,149,502
- THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE C Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2021 · 7 payments $14,204,433
- THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE C Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2025 · 5 payments $13,187,388
- THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE C Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2026 · 4 payments $10,449,539
- THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE C Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2020 · 7 payments $9,377,525
- THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE C Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2023 · 7 payments $9,009,944
- THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE C Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2024 · 4 payments $7,135,379
- THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE C Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2027 $2,562,970
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo Roof Replacements Department of Citywide Administrative Services · FY2025 · 2 payments $613,220
- DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION & CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION SVCS. Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2026 $316,998
- INSTALLATION OF A SMOKE DETECTION/FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2022 $269,514
- INSTALLATION OF A SMOKE DETECTION/FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2020 · 2 payments $215,822
- DESIGN, CONST & CONST SUP. SERVICES FOR WILDLIFE CONSV. CNTR Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2020 $175,000
- INSTALLATION OF A SMOKE DETECTION/FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2023 $164,453
- DESIGN, CONST. & CONST. SUPER. SVCS FOR WILDLIFE CENTERS NYC Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2023 $102,857
- DESIGN, CONST & CONST SUP. SERVICES FOR WILDLIFE CONSV. CNTR Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2026 $87,868
- DESIGN, CONST & CONST SUP. SERVICES FOR WILDLIFE CONSV. CNTR Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2025 $63,631
- vans Department of Cultural Affairs · FY2020 $56,906
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo Roof Replacements Department of Citywide Administrative Services · FY2026 $42,255
- DESIGN, CONST & CONST SUP. SERVICES FOR WILDLIFE CONSV. CNTR Department of Parks and Recreation · FY2022 $41,549
Discretionary funding received
City Council discretionary (member-item) awards, largest first. Covers FY2009-FY2027.
- SCI Network NYC CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2026 $501,896
- SCI Network NYC CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2027 $501,896
- WCS STEM Career Lattice CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2027 $500,000
- Fellowships and Internships Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2022 $350,000
- Speaker's Initiative Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2022 $350,000
- Speaker's Initiative CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2023 $350,000
- WCS STEM Career Lattice CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2023 $350,000
- SCI Network NYC CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2024 $350,000
- WCS STEM Career Lattice CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2024 $350,000
- SCI Network NYC CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2025 $350,000
- WCS STEM Career Lattice CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2025 $350,000
- WCS STEM Career Lattice CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2026 $350,000
- Afterschool Enrichment Initiative Afterschool Enrichment Initiative · DCLA · FY2019 $150,000
- Afterschool Enrichment Initiative Afterschool Enrichment Initiative · DCLA · FY2020 $150,000
- Afterschool Enrichment Initiative Afterschool Enrichment Initiative · DCLA · FY2022 $150,000
- STEM Career Pipeline Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2022 $150,000
- Afterschool Enrichment Initiative Afterschool Enrichment Initiative · DCLA · FY2023 $150,000
- STEM Career Pipeline CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2023 $150,000
- Afterschool Enrichment Initiative Afterschool Enrichment Initiative · DCLA · FY2024 $150,000
- STEM Career Pipeline CM Speaker · Speaker's Initiative · DCLA · FY2024 $150,000
Funded by these council members
City Council members who steered discretionary (member-item) money to this organization, largest first (FY2020 and later, where the sponsoring member is disclosed). Sitting members link to their page.
- Althea V. Stevens FY2022-2026 · 14 awards $195,000
- Linda Lee FY2022-2027 · 12 awards $180,000
- Tiffany L. Cabán FY2022-2027 · 12 awards $150,000
- Pierina Ana Sanchez FY2022-2025 · 10 awards $134,000
- Salamanca FY2022-2025 · 7 awards $115,000
- Kagan FY2022-2023 · 4 awards $95,000
- Amanda C. Farías FY2022-2027 · 6 awards $86,000
- Treyger FY2020-2021 · 4 awards $80,000
- Oswald J. Feliz FY2021-2027 · 4 awards $75,000
- Brannan FY2024-2026 · 4 awards $55,000
- Grodenchik FY2020-2021 · 3 awards $50,000
- Costa Constantinides FY2020-2021 · 4 awards $50,000
- Moya FY2020-2025 · 3 awards $50,000
- Justin E. Sanchez FY2026 · 1 award $35,000
- Maisel FY2020 · 2 awards $32,000
- Pierina Ana Sanchez FY2026 · 3 awards $30,000
- Pierina Ana Sanchez FY2027 · 3 awards $30,000
- Ritchie Torres FY2020 · 2 awards $25,000
- Cabrera FY2020-2021 · 2 awards $24,000
- Vanessa Gibson FY2020-2021 · 3 awards $22,500
Officer & key-staff pay
Reportable compensation from this organization's IRS Form 990 (Part VII), latest available filing (FY2023). Includes pay from related organizations where reported; an annual figure, not a running total. Source: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
- Robert G Menzi EVP Chief Operating Officer $905,749
- Monica P Medina President & CEO Until 4/2/2024 $851,778
- Paula Hayes EVP chief of Global Resources $814,468
- John F Calvelli EVP Public Affairs $752,228
- James J Breheny EVP Director of Zoos/Aquarium $630,538
- Christopher J McKenzie SVP General Counsel $545,337
Officer pay over time
Total officer pay changed -8% from FY2020 to FY2023. Top-officer reportable compensation by year (org-paid only), with each year's share of total revenue. Source: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer 990 filings.
- FY2020 dr CRISTIAN SAMPER · 3.2% of revenue $2,147,710
- FY2021 dr CRISTIAN SAMPER · 2.08% of revenue $1,237,933
- FY2022 dr CRISTIAN SAMPER · 2.44% of revenue $1,473,650
- FY2023 Robert G Menzi · 2.14% of revenue $905,749
Federal awards
Federal awards made directly to this organization in fiscal years 2023 through 2026. Each amount is what the federal government has OBLIGATED on that award as recorded on USAspending.gov as of 2026-08-31 — money committed, not money paid out. These are prime awards only: federal money this
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $13,457,577
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $10,462,234
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $9,750,000
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $9,037,958
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $8,015,846
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $7,600,000
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $7,500,000
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $7,118,308
- Department of the Interior 15.651 Forest Basin Fund · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Grant $7,063,457
- Department of Defense EDUCATION/TRAINING- SCIENTIFIC/MANAGEMENT · Defense Threat Reduction Agency · Contract $4,973,130
- Department of State 19.705 Trans-National Crime · Department of State · Grant $4,750,000
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $4,500,000
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $3,987,108
- Agency for International Development 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas · Agency for International Development · Grant $3,440,926
- Department of Agriculture 10.025 Animal Disease and Animal Care · Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service · Grant $3,354,417
- Department of State 19.705 Trans-National Crime · Department of State · Grant $3,000,000
- Department of State 19.705 Trans-National Crime · Department of State · Grant $3,000,000
- Department of State 19.705 Trans-National Crime · Department of State · Grant $2,997,864
- Department of the Interior 15.651 Forest Basin Fund · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Grant $2,587,458
- Department of State 19.705 Trans-National Crime · Department of State · Grant $2,425,900