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We’re revitalizing a beloved local gem

A Local Treasure. Revitalized!
NOVA Wild is a non-profit organization that is revitalizing Reston’s local zoo. We opened our doors in early 2023, and everythingis changing.
Animal Welfare
Our team of experts and veterinarians takes a science-based approach to wildlife care, giving the animals at NOVA Wild every opportunity to thrive.

Education
Human beings have a deep connection to nature. NOVA Wild offers fun, interactive opportunities to learn about different animal species from around the world.
Conservation
The earth’s wilderness is facing startling threats. NOVA Wild is a non-profit zoo that financially supports international conservation efforts like WorthWild Africa.
Ethical zoos are essential for educating the public, encouraging conservation, and building respect for the web of life that binds us all in our care.
Conservation & Vanishing Wilderness
The earth has lost more than a billion acres of forest since 1990 according to National Geographic—an area of land that is 23% larger than the nation of India.
Our planet has lost one-third of its total wilderness since the end of the last Ice Age, and we’re leaving less and less space for wildlife to survive, much less thrive.
Ethical zoos are essential for educating the public, encouraging conservation, and building respect for the web of life that binds us all. They also provide a refuge for the animals that share the planet with us, including many that predate our species by millions of years.

Meet the Founder
Nova Wild began as a planned non-profit venture of a former Reston resident who jumped at the chance to revitalize this beloved local gem.

Tara Campbell Lussier is an entrepreneur and Realtor® who was raised in Reston, VA. She attended nearby Armstrong Elementary and spent her weekends playing soccer at the zoo’s neighbor, Baron Cameron Park. As a professional she has built several successful women-owned businesses based on inclusivity, innovation, and forward-thinking principles. Her prior ventures have been featured in the Washington Business Journal as a “Startup to Watch”, Huffington Post, WTOP 103.5, and named a Loudoun 40 Under 40 Honoree. Tara is first and foremost a mother to four children who are all eager to explore and enjoy the zoo just as she did as a child.
When she learned that the property once known as the Reston Zoo was available she assembled a team of zoo industry thought-leaders with ethics, education, and animal welfare at their core.
Tara and her team have made a number of physical upgrades to the zoo, creating a better experience for everyone (including the wildlife). And they have a long list of improvements planned for the coming year. They intend for the zoo to serve as a family-friendly community wildlife and adventure park for all. They are just getting started.
Meet the wild workers
The entire NOVA Wild team is committed to building a healthy environment for the animals under their care, along with an impactful, fun, educational experience for families and children of all ages that visit NOVA Wild.

Betty
Director of Animal Welfare
Betty spearheads NOVA Wild’s Animal Welfare program to ensure all of our animals have the proper care and policies in place so they continue to thrive!
Wild Fact: Betty is a leading whale expert that calls New England home.

John
Assistant Curator
John leads our Animal Care team to ensure NW’s policies and procedures are carried out by every staff member.
Wild Fact: John has raised 100+ baby animals and loves to share his knowledge about every species!

Kelsey
Lead Keeper
Kelsey brings a wealth of zoo-industry experience; she directly cares for all the animals at NOVA Wild.
Wild Fact: Kelsey moved all the way from New Mexico to join NOVA Wild!
Our approach
Our approach is to provide animal welfare educational training for our staff to create an environment that has animal welfare at its core. We ensure optimal welfare outcomes for our animals by empowering our staff to identify welfare challenges and to implement continuous improvement. We will create innovative approaches to offering positive welfare opportunities through an understanding of each animal’s unique characteristics, behaviors, and adaptations.
Nova Wild in the news

Fox 5
GoodDay goes ‘Wild’ with NOVA Wild!

Washington Business Journal
Former Reston Zoo sells to serial entrepreneur, will reopen as Nova Wild

Washingtonian
The Reston Zoo Will Reopen Its Drive-Through Safari Under New Ownership
Tickets, Season passes & Personal Experiences
General Admission Tickets include full access to the drive-thru safari and the stroll-thru portions of the zoo.
