The David Traylor Zoo Oasis Campaign is still working towards it’s $4.3 million campaign goal, and they are nearly there.
This is according to Oasis Campaign Co-Chair Rick Mitchell who along with Zoo Director Lisa Keith and Education Coordinator Michelle Sagers recently appeared on KVOE’s Talk of Emporia. The campaign has been ongoing quietly since 2016, with the Zoo making the official announcement of it’s existence last July.
At the time of the campaign’s announcement, it was sitting at 80 percent towards it’s $4.3 million goal. During the segment, Mitchell updated listeners on the current status of the campaign.
With the addition of the grant the campaign would officially reach it’s goal. Mitchell says the large amount of support the campaign has received in just the short time it has been around demonstrates the Zoo’s importance to the community, referring to the zoo as a “jewel at the end of Commercial Street.”
The main mission of the campaign is to provide David Traylor Zoo with multiple updates and additions. This includes an updated entrance, expanded parking and new exhibits including a North American River Otter exhibit.
Plans are also in motion to help expand the Zoo’s education facility. Sagers says the combination of the new center and exhibits will allow the Zoo to do much more with their education programs.
Along with the physical renovations will also come an update to the Zoo’s Master Plan according to Keith.
For more information on the Oasis Campaign or to donate contact the David Traylor Zoo by calling 620-341-4365.
