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North Carolina Zoo earns Botanical Garden accreditation

The zoo is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.

ASHEBORO, N.C. — On Friday, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro announced it has been officially accredited as a Botanical Garden by Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

The North Carolina Zoo is now one of only a few zoos across the United States to earn an accreditation as a Botanical Garden. The zoo is currently in its 50th year of operation.

BGCI awarded the accreditation because it said the North Carolina zoo "conforms to the highest international standards" in plant conservation and care.

"Our dual status as both a Zoo and Botanical Garden reflects our long-standing commitment to conservation, education, and the preservation of diverse species, including plant life,” says Zoo Director and CEO Patricia Simmons. “This honor is well-deserved and highlights our Zoo’s essential role as a center for environmental education and responsible stewardship.”

According to their website, the North Carolina Zoo is home to over 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants.

For a full list of plants on display at the North Carolina Zoo, click here.

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