Earlier this week, the conservation teams at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium received a huge surprise: a brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.

The gift is courtesy of the Northwest Trek Foundation, the nonprofit partner that helps fund conservation, research, and educational programs. Known for rallying community support to protect wildlife, the Foundation raised funds at their annual auction to purchase the plug-in hybrid vehicle to support the crucial off-site fieldwork that often flies under the radar but makes a huge impact.

“This is more than just a vehicle, it’s a tool for conservation,” said Marc Heinzman, Conservation Manager.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, purchased at the Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership, delivers up to 30 miles of all-electric range before seamlessly transitioning to hybrid mode, an ideal choice for environmentally conscious travel to even the most remote destinations. This vehicle further supports Northwest Trek’s commitment to sustainability, complementing the wildlife park’s recent addition of six fully electric trams. These trams have replaced the aging propane-powered fleet, enhancing the iconic Free-Roaming Area tour experience while significantly reducing Northwest Trek’s environmental impact.

The new vehicle will hit the road soon to support a variety of conservation efforts across the Pacific Northwest. The conservation team will use the Jeep to set up wildlife monitoring cameras in remote forests for projects like the Grit City Carnivore study, count sea otters along the coast, conduct crab research at local marinas, and help track elusive fishers, an important carnivore that’s slowly making a comeback in Washington.

“The more mobile and energy-efficient we are, the more we can do,” said Heinzman. “This vehicle gives us that edge.”

Over the past year, Northwest Trek and Point Defiance Zoo have expanded their collective conservation efforts by establishing a dedicated Conservation Manager role and unifying their previously separate conservation teams into a single, collaborative force.

“We’re primed to make an even bigger impact on the care and protection of nature with a unified team and amazing support like this from the Northwest Trek Foundation,” Heinzman added.

With community donations, the Northwest Trek Foundation funds everything from exhibit upgrades and new equipment to cutting-edge conservation research. This latest gift highlights just how deeply the Foundation, and its supporters, believe in going the extra mile for wildlife.