There was a special celebration at the David Traylor Zoo on Thursday.
The zoo honored Dale and Carolyn Davis, along with Evora Wheeler, with lifetime advocate awards. Wheeler was floored, saying her community work isn’t done for awards or public recognition. She calls the zoo a local jewel.
Carolyn Davis called the honor “awesome” and “heartwarming.” She’s glad to be part of the zoo’s present and future.
Zoo Director Lisa Keith says it was a cumulative award reflecting support both for the zoo and the city at large.
Dale Davis thanked Keith and other zoo administrators for their stewardship of the zoo.
The Davises have been part of the Friends of the Zoo organization since its inception. Carolyn has also served on the EFOZ board, co-chairing “Wahoo in the Zoo” for the Mission Madagascar exhibit as part of her time, while Dale often worked behind the scenes to support the zoo.
Besides also being an EFOZ member, Wheeler has raised almost $80,000 for zoo projects just through her baked goods the past 31 years.
This comes as the zoo is nearing the annual EFOZ Roundup Auction on March 1. It also continues construction and fundraising through the better than $4 million Oasis capital campaign. A ribbon-cutting for the expanded Zoo Education Center is tentatively set for May.
