COLUMBUS, Ohio — Construction is continuing on the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's North America Trek project, and every part of it has a new purpose.

As part of the project, trees have been removed in order to make way for new buildings, landscaping and animal habitats but the zoo is finding new ways to use its greenery. In Phase 1, the project focuses on new habitats for Mexican wolves, trumpeter swans, song birds, bald eagle, black bear, and North America river otters.

Before the design phase of the project, an arborist came to measure and rate the trees' conditions as either Poor, Fair, Good or Excellent. The design team then used the assessment to determine where trees could be preserved and where to focus on improvements to mitigate the impacts throughout construction.

The first choice is giving the trees to the animals as, "browse."

Browse, according to the zoo, is, " natural vegetation or plant material provided to animals for them to eat or interact with." Including leaves, branches, twigs and other parts that mimic the natural diet and environment. Through using browse, animals receive nutrition, environmentalenrichment and display natural foraging behaviors. 

Columbus Zoo said many of the trees removed during construction will go to its browse program, following approval from the zoo's veterinarians. Since Aug. 2023, more than 80,000 linear feet of browse has been collected.

Remaining tree parts will be used as "deadfall" or perching within animal habitats.

"There are additional tree species that can be used for animals that won’t chew on the tree," said Dave Liggett, browse horticulturist. "For example, we will be repurposing oak trees removed for North America Phase I construction as deadfall in the new North American river otter, black bear, and Mexican wolf habitats, but we will not use oak trees in a habitat with ruminants, like the Savanna in Heart of Africa."

The zoo said overtime all deadfall exhibit pieces need replaced. So far, perching pieces have made their way into the Savanna, koala habitat, elephant habitat, and the behind-the-scenes eagle habitat.

Several salvaged trees are behind-the-scenes awaiting future use in North America Trek habitats, once closer to completion. The zoo plans to replace all felled trees and multiply their numbers.

"The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is committed to improving the environment for our guests, wildlife and the animals in the Zoo," said Karen Schenk, the Zoo’s Senior Director of Planning and Design. "While approximately 100 trees had to be removed, we plan to install over 300 trees, focusing on native trees and plants being used wherever possible."

The North America Trek project broke ground last October, costing $40 million. The area is the oldest area of the zoo, opening to the public in 1927.

“The North America Trek project represents our next step forward in the Columbus Zoo’s commitment to animal well-being, wildlife conservation, and education. As the transformation of the North America region takes shape, it promises to offer visitors an immersive experience like no other while strengthening the Zoo's pivotal role in fostering a love for animals and a dedication to their protection,” said Tom Schmid, President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.