Charles Hopper, Santa Barbara Zoo president/CEO, has been appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to the California State Park and Recreation Commission, which guides the administration, protection and development of California’s state park system.

Established in 1927, the commission has nine voting members appointed by the governor to staggered four-year terms. Hopper’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Just as state parks connect people with nature through public lands and outdoor experiences, zoos and aquariums do so through education, science and firsthand encounters with animal, Santa Barbara Zoo officials said.

Hopper’s appointment gives the zoo and California State Parks a chance to share expertise and explore new ways to work together on wildlife protection, public access and outdoor experiences, they said.

“Zoos, aquariums and state parks share a common purpose in connecting people with nature while protecting it for the future,” said Hopper. “Public access and responsible stewardship go hand in hand.

“When people have meaningful opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and experience wildlife and wild places, those experiences can inspire them to care, invest in conservation, and share in the responsibility of protecting our natural resources. I’m honored to serve in this capacity and help strengthen that connection.”

Hopper has served as president/CEO of the Santa Barbara Zoo since 2025. Previously, he was COO at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography from 2021-25, and held a variety of leadership roles at Seattle Aquarium from 2008 -21.

He holds am MBA and a BA in finance from Seattle Pacific University.

Hopper also serves as vice chair of the Board of Directors of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the independent accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums in the U.S. and worldwide.