The Living Promise Campaign
Our Living Promise...
"As we planned for our future, we made a number of promises: a promise to always care deeply for animals and the natural world; a promise to remain accessible to all visitors; and a promise to steward our resources carefully. These are the living promises, and they will guide us as we share our Zoo for future generations." Jeffrey P. Bonner, Ph.D., Dana Brown President & CEO, Saint Louis Zoo
St. Louis has cherished its world-class Saint Louis Zoo for 100 years. We're justifiably proud of the Zoo's history and its undeniable quality. And we're equally dedicated to its future.
Now as we embark on our next 100 years, we want to ensure our prominence among America's zoological treasures. Our goals are to provide the highest standards of animal care; to create modern, dynamic exhibits; to enhance the nation's best visitor experience; to continue leading in wildlife conservation; to strengthen our physical infrastructure; to augment our staffing; and to generate sufficient financial resources to make these goals achievable.
On June 3, 2010, the Zoo announced its $120 million campaign, The Living Promise Campaign, to attract support from individuals, corporations and foundations dedicated to our mission. To date, more than $100 million in commitments have been secured toward that objective.
Creating Dynamic Exhibits...
At its core, the Zoo experience celebrates the relationship between visitors and animals. The Saint Louis Zoo has always prided itself on the quality of its exhibits and its ability to bring people closer to the animal kingdom. Listed below are some of the new exhibits included in the campaign.
Sea Lion Sound - under construction
Sea Lion Sound will combine the Zoo's popular Sea Lion Basin with the popular Sea Lion Show in one area. For the first time in North America, visitors can walk through an underwater tunnel into the sea lions' habitat, with sea lions swimming all around them! A landscape inspired by the Pacific Northwest coast will draw visitors into several viewing areas. The ability to see our sea lions so closely, interact with them and learn about them will give our visitors the opportunity to form a connection and a new understanding of marine mammals and the need for their conservation. This major new facility will open in mid 2012.
- Sea Lion Landing This spacious year-round outdoor pool and habitat features varying depths of water and rocky outcroppings. At one end of the pool is a shallow beach area where animals can go for sun bathing, feeding and training. The water becomes deeper at the other end of the pool, where visitors will find an expansive window to watch the sea lions underwater for the first time at the Zoo.
- Lichtenstein Sea Lion Arena A new 830-seat amphitheater provides the perfect setting for seasonal live shows. With a large stage, a rock bridge extending into the audience, high diving platform and slide, the sea lions will show off their amazing natural abilities - swimming, front flipper walks, balancing acts, hurdle jumps, Frisbee throws, and lots of splashing.
- Sea Lion Care Center The building has one component for animal care and one for staff. The animal care area includes four holding areas for animals that need special care or separation from the group and for training. An indoor medical pool has its own filtration system. An outdoor pool is also available.
Elephant Woods
With a fourth outdoor habitat in River’s Edge, our Asian elephants will have a new natural environment to explore, a hilly terrain and a landscape in which to forage for shrubs. This new area will give the zookeepers more options as they care for the Zoo’s growing multi-generational elephant family. Is it visible from the River’s Edge trail? No, it was designed to be a private area for the elephants, although it may be possible for visitors occasionally to see elephants enjoying their habitat from the Emerson Zooline Railroad. The Saint Louis Zoo’s vision includes elephants in the world’s future forever, both in zoos and in the wild. This new habitat was completed in 2011.
Sun Bear Forest
A new habitat for the Malayan sun bears will be located near the Asian elephants in River’s Edge. It will provide varied environments and climbing opportunities for these active bears. The Zoo is working to preserve this endangered species.
Andean Bear Range
The Andean bear habitat will occupy an area across from the capybaras and giant anteaters in River's Edge. Enriching climbing areas will keep our Andean bears fit and entertained while letting our guests marvel at their skill. The bears will also be able to splash about in a natural stream that has underwater viewings so visitors can get a closer-than-ever look at our Andean swimmers.
Polar Bear Point
Zoo visitors won’t be the only ones to enjoy this exciting new habitat. Polar bears, which have become a conservation priority, will have new rocky landscapes to climb and explore and new pools in which to swim and dive. With underwater viewing for visitors, getting close to a 1,000 pound bear is an experience they won’t soon forget!
- Polar Ice Cave A walk-through cave will allow visitors to get up-close with their new polar pals. One end of the cave peers into the polar bear pool, allowing visitors to watch as the bears swim about, play with their favorite ball or simply float along. The new exhibit will also allow the Zoo to relay facts about polar bears and the potential dangers they face.
- Henges Ice Jam Viewing Area This area simulates the edge of an icy polar coast, from which the polar bears will slide or dive into the water below. Polar bears make their home on the islands, coastlines and floating ice blocks of the Arctic.
Grizzly Ridge
For the first time at the Zoo, visitors will be able to walk up and view grizzly bears as they splash about in the water with our new floor-to-ceiling viewing area. A gigantic glass wall will let visitors get closer than ever to the bears as they play with their favorite ball, take a refreshing dip or even catch their food.
Improving Visitor Experiences...
Wells Fargo South Arrival Experience - completed 2010
Improvements to the Zoo’s south entrance have improved vehicle traffic, the safety of pedestrians and the overall aesthetic experience as visitors begin their day at the Zoo. A naturalistic pedestrian bridge, handsome sculptures of African wildlife, greenery, rock outcroppings, footpaths, waterfalls and pools are among the new additions.
North Arrival Experience: The Living World - under construction
This renovation will include the new Monsanto Education Gallery, remodeling of the Painted Giraffe Café, a new Welcome Desk and improved retail space.
Emerson Zooline Railroad - completed 2010
The Zoo’s popular miniature train has been named Emerson Zooline Railroad. Now in its 49th season, the train has transported more than 32 million visitors through the years.
Enhancing Retail Zones
Merchandising and food service zones will be more effectively organized. New kiosks, plants, benches and decorations will enhance the retail zones. Lakeside Café has undergone a makeover.
Strategic Plan Initiatives
The Zoo's strategic plan provides for creating the Institute for Conservation Medicine, development of a distance learning program and more opportunities to strengthen the conservation education message. The St. Louis Children's Hospital First Aid Station operates near The Wild Railroad Station.
Updating Zoo Facilities...
Myron Glassberg Family Maintenance Facility - completed 2011
A new facility houses the Facilities Management shops and storage areas for all trades which include: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, painting, welding, special construction and masonry, site work, equipment operation and repair, horticulture and grounds. The Information Technology department is also located there. The new building replaces a structure that was built in the 1950s, and a new recycling center and covered storage shed has been added. This facility was dedicated in 2011.
Upgrades
The Zoo must address issues of electricity, water, sewer and natural gas. Also included are upgrades to fire detection, surveillance systems, communications and information systems. Other projects include replacing mechanical systems, wood floors, carpets, ceramic tiles, exhibit view rails, stairs, walls, masonry steps, benches and roofs. Clean restrooms and efficient plumbing rank among our most pressing needs.
Growing Our Endowment...
A healthy endowment ensures our financial well-bring in the future. It creates a permanent, reliable source of income that allows us to withstand economic downturns and to hedge against inflation. Only recently did we embrace the importance of a strong endowment to the long-term future of the Zoo. Now it is an ongoing endeavor, and many individuals, families, businesses and foundations have begun to assist in building this fund. Put simply, an endowment is a living promise to future generations.
For more information on how to support the endowment, please call the Development Office at (314) 646-4509.
Support the Campaign!
Your support of the Zoo as we build new exhibits, improve the visitor experience, modernize our facilities and invest in our future is critical. Your gift will help ensure the care of future generations of animals both at the Zoo and in the wild. It will also allow the Zoo to continue to engage our visitors, creating appreciation of animals and the natural world. To make any gift to The Living Promise Campaign, call the Development Office at (314) 646-4691.
If you have made a commitment to the Saint Louis Zoo in your estate plans, you may be eligible to have your gift counted among our campaign donors and recognized for your support. Contact the Development Office at (314) 646-4509 for more information.
