By Judy Carmack Bross
From left to right: Dr. Michael Adkesson (Brookfield Zoo Chicago President and CEO), David Sweet, Sandra Sweet, P.W. Kirkland Sweet at Sweet Center on opening day.
Brumby and Willum, the new koalas at Brookfield Zoo, and their 3,600 neighbors have a very special bonus in their lives: the new Sweet Center designed to enhance collaboration between the animal care experts and department directors devoted to their care.
Philip and Nancy Sweet at the Brookfield Zoo.
Devoted to impacting lives at the Zoo and in the wild, it is named for the late Philip W. K. Sweet, Jr. who began his involvement with Brookfield Zoo Chicago in the early 1980s as a Governing Member and later became Chairman of the Zoo’s Board of Trustees from 1986-1992, Sweet is remembered at Brookfield as both a powerful fundraiser and relationship builder. Under his leadership as Chairman, the Zoo opened the Seven Seas dolphin habitat and the Fragile Kingdom exhibit. Sweet remained on the Board as a Trustee through 2006 and continued to serve as a Life Trustee until his passing in the spring of 2019.
Dr. Michael Adkesson, President and CEO, told us recently: “The opening of the Philip W. K. Sweet Jr. Center for Animal Care and Conservation gives our Brookfield Zoo Chicago team a state-of-the-art space to bring together the team’s vast areas of expertise to continue to find innovative advancements in zoological care, but also opportunities to save species in the wild. There is already a great synergy at work. We want to protect the habitats of both larger and smaller animals, understanding how one animal relates to another species in areas nearby. Since the 1920s we have partnered with the area forest preserves and in our new spaces, for example, experts on the pond turtles and on river otters can collaborate. Biologists are coming together in the new space.”
From left to right: Tim Snyder (Brookfield Zoo Chicago Vice President of Zoological Operations and Programs), P.W. Kirkland Sweet, David Sweet, Sandra Sweet, Dr. Michael Adkesson (Brookfield Zoo Chicago President and CEO).
“We are delighted to name this space in recognition of Mr. Sweet for his historic contributions to the Zoo, and we remain grateful for the incredible generosity of The Grainger Foundation, the Sweet family, and their friends for funding this important project. It was very special at the ribbon cutting to be with his children and grandchildren who brought along photos of the Sweets at the Zoo.”
Brumby, one of the Brookfield Zoo new koalas.
Adkesson, known to all as Dr. Mike, agreed to also give us a koala update. “Koalas are not the most complicated creatures. Brumby and Willum are very laid back, calm and adorable.”
Dr. Mike explained that in his former life he was a clinical veterinarian who worked in the conservation of the Humboldt penguins and that he continues his great love of penguins and sea lions. He pointed as well to the new American Prairie Aviary at the Zoo, home to sandhill cranes and greater prairie chickens, just opened in July. “As populations of the greater prairie chicken are decreasing and the Mississippi subspecies of sandhill crane faces extinction, this space and its inhabitants bring awareness to the conservation challenges facing native bird species. While
observing these birds, zoogoers can gain insight into the threats of habitat loss and population decline, inspiring dialogue and fostering a sense of stewardship,” he said.
Dr. Michael Adkesson, President and CEO, at the Brookfield Zoo.
For Dr. Mike, summer is his most joyful time. “My office looks out on the south entrance and I get to see so many happy kids.”
David Sweet and a Brookfield Zoo Animal Ambassador get to know a reptile resident.
David Sweet, son of Philip W. K. Sweet Jr. and Brookfield Zoo Chicago Governing Member, talked to us about the new Sweet Center:
“The zoo’s animal-care staff had unfortunately been strewn about in trailers and were sharing cubicles, and now the specialists are together in an amazing environment to collaborate on important decisions. And what could be more important than making sure animals at a zoo have excellent care?
“It’s a tremendous honor for my Dad. He believed deeply, like so many of his colleagues, that giving back to Chicago and its cultural institutions was crucial. He loved the zoo and taking his grandchildren to the zoo, and I know his leadership over many years had a profound impact there.”
The Sweet Center will remain a space for Brookfield Zoo Chicago administrative teams to carry out their work and will not be open to the public. “There will so much conservation work going on behind the scenes–work to save the wild and animals in wild places as well as animal care for our own,” Dr. Mike said.
The mission of Brookfield Zoo Chicago is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. For more information on the Brookfield Zoo, visit: brookfieldzoo.org
