When did the Audubon annual membership double?

Right after Latoya’s right hand man, Gilbert Montaño, joined Audubon as chief of staff
Wonder if any money will go missing?
LINK

Someone has to pay for the guys they let in free

If you wait to renew does the price come down? When we used to have it (preCovid) that’s what I’d do.

But not sure if that’s done anymore. Plus, my kids are bigger now so we don’t go as much

Dude. That’s outrageous.

They absolutely botched the aquarium renovation and I guess someone has to bite the bullet on that $60,000,000 whiff.

Or maybe it’s to subsidize the Audubon golf course which is a financial loser every year and should be turned into a passive recreation park.

We live not too far from the Aquarium/Insectarium and visit pretty frequently since we have a membership but as others have noted it doesn’t look like they’ve kept up or changed much. In fact, my kids liked the atrium where the parakeets were but that closed a while back and they haven’t replaced it with anything. The whole Amazon rainforest is pretty sad. They took forever to finish the renovated River’s Edge exhibit at the zoo and they seem to rely on these traveling temporary exhibits (which costs extra) for income instead of improving the core exhibits.

Ridiculous, isn’t it? No wonder these folks aren’t productive. They get everything free.

I went to the Aud zoo last year for the first time in several years. The place looked shabby. Weeds too high and even trash on the ground. A lot of the animal exhibits were empty.

quote:

---

I would say watching the entry line 75% just walked in for free.

---

I’m not sure this program is current but if it is you’re not far off the mark.

“The  Audubon Community Connect program will involve three components:

Orleans Parish Appreciation Days: Every Wednesday, Orleans Parish residents with one valid government-issued photo ID receive free admission with up to four guests to Audubon attractions, rotating each week from the Aquarium, Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Zoo, and Planetarium at the Louisiana Nature Center. Upcoming dates: Wednesday, January 9 at Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium and Wednesday, January 16 at Audubon Zoo. Click here for schedule.

Audubon SNAP Program: Orleans Parish SNAP benefit recipients receive complimentary admission to Audubon facilities year-round, special events restrictions apply. SNAP participant with valid ID that matches the SNAP card and up to four guests have free admission to Audubon facilities.

Audubon Museum Partner Pass: Audubon is partnering with New Orleans Public Library to offer a partner pass available for check out by library cardholders. Three passes have been provided to each library in Orleans Parish and each pass provides entry for up to two adults and seven children for a two-week period.”

This is insane. I have a young family of 6. Grew up in Nola, but currently live in Lafayette. Still have a bunch of family in Nola, so we are in the area often. Purchased a family plus membership last year for $260. I think we went to the Zoo 3 times (maybe 4) and the aquarium once, so the membership was worth it to me.

I don’t think I’m paying $500 this year. I’m not sure what percentage of families outside of Nola (BR, Lafayette, Houma, Northshore, etc) purchase memberships, but I bet that number is going to drop significantly this year.

To pay for Kevlar for the animals