Sunset Zoological Park & Wildlife Trust Fund

Goal: $30,000.00

Mission

The Sunset Zoo Trust has a mission to secure and manage private gifts in support of the Sunset Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Foundation. The Trust fosters a culture that unites philanthropic desires with Sunset Zoo's priorities.

Profile

THE SUNSET ZOOLOGICAL PARK AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST

The idea of forming a Sunset Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation Trust began in 1990 with Don Wixom, then director of Sunset Zoo, who suggested the formation of a foundation for the purpose of charitable giving to support the future sustainability of Sunset Zoo.

There are places that grow in harmony with a city, woven into its daily rhythm, with shared memories and collective hopes for the future. For more than 90 years, Sunset Zoo has been a cherished institution for generations of families. It’s where grandparents and grandchildren bond around the joy of seeing wildlife in real life; where school buses transport wide-eyed youth bustling with energy and enthusiasm; and where families and individuals of all ages enjoy quiet, meaningful walks, connect with nature together, and engage in heartfelt conversations. Sunset Zoo is a community treasure, a vital part of our heritage and our future – a place where everyone is welcome, and every day feels new. The Sunset Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation Trust is proud to be a trusted partner of Sunset Zoo. Our mission is to secure and manage gifts and resources in support of wildlife conservation and education, as well as the needs of the Zoo.

We are grateful for your gift to The Sunset Zoological Trust through Grow Green 2026 to support our next planned phase of progress. Many of you will remember a former exhibit at the Zoo which provided children of all ages an opportunity to interact with domestic animals they don’t see every day. One of the habitats in this planned phase of progress will bring back that opportunity – bigger and better- and will be known as the Sunset Barnyard, an interactive and educational habitat that might include cows, goats, sheep, minipigs, llamas/alpacas, chickens, domestic turkeys, pheasants, ducks, or rabbits. These interactive and educational experiences will take place under the most rigorous standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the USDA, ensuring the safety of guests and animals alike. These are preliminary drawings of the Sunset Barnyard.