Over the next few years, the David Traylor Zoo will undergo a transformation.
The $4.3 million Emporia Friends of the Zoo OASIS Campaign will fund eight separate capital improvement projects. On KVOE’s 7:05 am newscast Thursday, Zoo Director Lisa Keith said this will have a major impact on the zoo for years to come.
In addition to new and renovated exhibit areas, which you can find below, Keith says important renovations will include a new zoo entrance, new parking and an expanded Education Center.
Keith says fundraising has gone well during the quiet phase of the campaign.
The Jane and Bernard Reeble Foundation, William and Aloha Preston Trust, Trusler Foundation and Emil Babinger Charitable Trust also provided gifts during the quiet phase of the campaign, which is already at $3.5 million or better than 80 percent of goal.
Keith says work should begin soon.
For more information, call 341-4365 or go online to www.emporiazoo.org.
7 am Thursday: EFOZ announces major fundraising campaign to benefit David Traylor Zoo
The David Traylor Zoo has announced the public phase of an extensive expansion and renovation project. And it says it’s over 80 percent of the way towards its $4.3 million goal.
Campaign co-chairs Duane Henrikson and Rick Mitchell on Thursday are announcing the Emporia Friends of the Zoo OASIS Campaign, which will fund eight capital improvement projects ranging from new exhibits to renovated exhibits to improved infrastructure to an expanded Education Center.
New exhibits will include space for the following:
*North American river otters
*Wallabies
*Laughing Kookaburras
Renovated exhibits include:
*Waterfowl pond and gardens
*King vultures
*Emus
*Llamas and rheas
*Cereopsis geese
In addition, there will be a new zoo entrance, renovated streets, expanded parking and dedicated bus parking.
The Walter S and Evan C Jones Testamentary Trust has provided a $1.5 million leadership gift for the overall project, with the E.L. and Z. Irene Hopkins Foundation offering the lead gift on the Education Center remodel. The Jane and Bernard Reeble Foundation, William and Aloha Preston Trust, Trusler Foundation and Emil Babinger Charitable Trust all provided gifts during the quiet phase of the campaign, which now has amassed $3.5 million in donations.
The enhancements are all part of the zoo’s master site plan adopted by both the city of Emporia and Friends of the Zoo two years ago. The zoo has more than 90,000 visitors every year.
The Emporia Friends of the Zoo is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, so gifts are tax deductible. For more information, call the zoo at 341-4365. Mail donations to Box 345 in Emporia, ZIP 66801.
Artist renderings provided by the David Traylor Zoo
{gallery}David Traylor Zoo Artist Renderings July 2018{/gallery}
