What's New? Rock Climbing Wall at Zoo! North Coast Adventure Centers' portable rock wall will be open for business at Sequoia Park Zoo from July 9-August 6, four days a week from 11am-3pm. Click here for the schedule and more information.
Congratulations to Ella & Asher, winners of our Flat Red Panda Tour Guide contest. Ella & Asher helped introduce the Red panda to Humboldt County by taking their Flat Red Panda on a fishing expedition in Humboldt Bay. Zoo visitors voted Ella & Asher's photo as their favorite out of all of our submissions. Our lucky winners will receive a free birthday party at the Zoo! Thanks to all who participated.
City Council Presentation Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation Board members and staff presented to the Eureka City Council on Tuesday evening June 1. Due to the financial crisis the City of Eureka finds itself in and the upcoming difficult budget talks, the Foundation wanted the Council to know they have their full support for the Zoo. The presentation reminded Council what the Foundation’s mission is, how they accomplish that mission, to what extent they have supported capital improvements to the Zoo in the past few years and where the funds to do so have come from. The Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation generously pledged $50,000 in general operating costs to the Zoo for FY 2010-2011, in addition to the $100,000+ capital improvements planned for 2010 and continuing to offer guest services, marketing and other administrative duties. View the presentation for more details.
Summer Concerts at the Zoo We're excited to announce a new addition to our summer events calendar: outdoor concerts at the Zoo! Enjoy live music, food, beverages and kids' activities with the redwood forest as a magnificent backdrop. The series kicks off on June 26th with a concert by Moogot 2, so bring your picnic blankets and join us for a relaxing summer treat. All concerts are from 5pm to 7pm and are free with Zoo admission. Brought to you by All Hits 95.5 & Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation. Mark your calendars! Concert Dates:
Help celebrate the upcoming arrival of our Red pandas! You may be familiar with the children’s book, Flat Stanley, by Jeff Brown, which features a completely flat boy who finds one of the advantages of being flat is that he can visit new places by traveling in an envelope. We invite your family to become Red panda tour guides (Flat Stanley-style!) and introduce him to your favorite things in Humboldt County. Dowload and print your own Red panda, color him in, cut him out, and he’s ready to explore!
Sequoia Park Zoo is delighted to announce that its new Guest Speaker Program, designed to illustrate different aspects of today’s zoos, will kick off on Sunday April 25th with an inspirational story for today’s youth. Kai Neander, now 16 years old and a junior at the Academy of the Redwoods, has a long history with Sequoia Park Zoo. He will be presenting a talk and slideshow about his experience, Eureka to Qatar: Sequoia Park Zoo Sparks Life-Changing Opportunity for Area Youth, with particular emphasis on his visit to Qatar, in the Sequoia Park Zoo classroom on Sunday April 25th at 2pm. The presentation should last about an hour, with plenty of time for questions at the end. Admission to the presentation is free to anyone wishing to attend; signs will direct attendees to a separate Zoo entrance. Learn more information here.
Visit soon to see our beautiful Western bluebird. Injured by a cat in the wild, he was brought to the Zoo by a wildlife rehabilitation group in the Sacramento area with the hopes of adding him to our aviary. After several months of physical therapy in a large flight cage on Zoo grounds, it was determined that the range of motion in his injured wing was too restricted to allow flight. Zoo staff decided it was unsafe for an unflighted bird to be housed in the large aviary, and after much deliberation, felt he and Winky the Northern spotted owl would make good housemates. She is very docile and still during the day, and the bluebird’s cage doesn’t take up any of her usable space. Plus, now he is safe, viewable, and has just the right size enclosure for his mobility. He vocalizes all the time now, and seems to be settling in quite comfortably.
Foundation Membership Reaches 1,000! The Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation’s membership has reached the magic 1,000! (In fact, we surpassed it thanks to all you new supporters!) The honor goes to Bill and Sue Scott of Eureka. In celebration of their win, Bill and Sue will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoo, complimentary lunch at the Zoo Café, and a free Adopt-an-Animal Super Zooper-level sponsorship package (total value $145). Of course, Bill and Sue will also get the standard membership benefits. “We both think the Zoo is extremely important to the community and want to support it any way we can. We didn’t expect to be the 1,000th member; we just wanted to support the Zoo. But, it is a nice treat,” said Sue Scott when notified about their big win.
The Secrets of the Forest indoor exhibit hall now sports another interactive feature: a Track, Feel, & See Discovery Cart where visitors can use their sense of touch to identify native animals by feeling their tracks and their skulls. Want to see if you guessed correctly? Just open the compartment's lid to reveal the answer! Funded by a grant from Save the Redwoods League, this Discovery Cart will soon have an accompanying cart used as a part of our Zoo Interpreter Program.
Coming Soon: Red Panda Construction crews have officially broken ground on the new Red panda exhibit! Their habitat will be located near the Barnyard, so keep an eye out for changes in this space as you visit the Zoo this spring. Right now, our Red panda pair are at the Denver Zoo with their mother, but before long they will be mature enough to make the journey to Eureka and become animal ambassadors for our Zoo. We're on track to have a grand opening in June, and look forward to welcoming these adorable critters to our Zoo family. Contributions from individuals, foundations and event fundraising efforts (Zootini 2009) make it possible to bring this exciting new species to Sequoia Park Zoo.
SPZ Looking for it's 1,000th Member: Could it Be You? Our membership roll has grown rapidly over the last few years and will reach the magical 1000 total very soon. The big winner will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoo, complimentary lunch at the Zoo Café, and a free Adopt-an-Animal Super Zooper-level sponsorship package (value $145). All this in addition to the benefits that come with joining - FREE admission to our Zoo, and free or discounted admission to hundreds of other zoos across the nation, 10% discount in the Zoo Gift Shop, quarterly Zoo Chatter newsletter, and invitations to member-only zoo events. You can become a member online, or stop by the Zoo and sign up at the ticket booth, or call 442-5649 and join over the phone with Visa or MasterCard. However you choose to join, do it soon if you want a chance to be the 1,000th member!
On your next visit, spend a little extra time at the flamingo exhibit- you may notice our birds are displaying courtship rituals such as synchronized dancing, honking, and neck stretching. While you're there, you might also here an unmistakable noise from the exhibit next door- our male Rhea is again "booming" as he attempts to woo his female!
Zoo Funding Update We were delighted by the number of members of the public at the February 16 Eureka City Council meeting who expressed interest in helping the zoo “spread the word” about the facility’s many area benefits to a broader North Coast audience. At that meeting, Eureka City Council voted 3:2 to not put Zoo funding up for debate on November's ballot--good news! Foundation board and staff, along with City Council members, are working hard to find alternative sources of funding for the Zoo. Currently, we're talking to the County Board of Supervisors and we hope to form a partnership to explore some alternatives. We'll keep you posted. Again, thanks for all your support. Read on for how you can help!
Seeking Creative Marketing & Fundraising Ideas ln response to the need to get the word out about Sequoia Park Zoo and increase our fundraising efforts, the Foundation is inviting you to submit ideas for both marketing activities and alternative funding channels. We’ll give a free year of family membership to the zoo to the best idea in each category that we receive and can implement. We are open to any and all ideas. On the marketing front, note that the zoo itself has no marketing budget; the Foundation has a small marketing budget, but anything requiring an investment of $300 or more must be approved by the full Foundation Board. So, the cheaper the activity, the greater likelihood it can be implemented. On the funding front, any suggestions for both private and public alternative funding channels would be welcomed and will be discussed with the relevant public bodies as appropriate. Marketing ideas should be submitted to Pat Bitton, Communications Committee Chair. Funding ideas should be submitted to Chuck Dominick, Fund Development Committee Chair. Deadline for idea submission is March 31, 2010.
Happy Birthday, Rosemary! February 4 was a special day for our American black bear, Rosemary- it was her 28th birthday! She celebrated the milestone by indulging in a variety of birthday fare including peanut butter cake, coconut cake, and her favorite- crickets. Delicious!
Zoo Interpreter Program Applications Available Looking for a way to combine your love of animals and education? We're looking for long-term volunteers to help launch our Zoo Interpreter Program (ZIP). ZIP volunteers will interact with visitors using Discovery Carts, animal artifacts, and special animal knowledge we will teach you. Trainings begin in April, so get your application turned in today! Would you like more details? Check out our brochure, or email Amber Neilson, Education Coordinator.
Rosemary the Bear is Ailing Rosemary, our American black bear, is experiencing age-related health problems which, unfortunately, have worsened over the last month. For some time, she has been suffering from the gradual deterioration of her vertebrae. When she became reluctant to walk over the Christmas holiday weekend, she was given another thorough physical exam, which confirmed that the condition has worsened. Sadly, the exam also revealed that her kidney function is failing. Rosie is currently on new medication to help alleviate her discomfort and animal care staff is providing special love and care to accommodate her condition and keep her as comfortable as possible. Her condition is assessed daily to consider her quality of life. Rosemary was born at Sequoia Park Zoo on February 4, 1982, and has been a lifelong resident, delighting generations of visitors. The average life span for black bears living in a zoo setting is 25 to 30 years. She is still viewable most of the time, except when she chooses to rest in her den. Zoo staff is available to visitors who have questions.
Exciting Events for 2010 2010 will be an exciting year of growth and change for your local zoo. What can you expect?
Event Sponsorships available With almost 900 household memberships and 75,000 visitors annually, Sequoia Park Zoo enjoys the support of our community and is a Humboldt County tourist destination. By becoming a 2010 Event Sponsor, your business will benefit from numerous year-long promotional opportunities while reaching a new and diverse audience. And because the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, your sponsorship may be tax-deductible. Interested in being part of the fun? There is a level of sponsorship that is right for you, contact Melinda Booth for more details.
Visit our free flight aviary, and you're bound to notice our newest additions: a pair brightly feathered Scarlet ibis have joined our flock. Native to South America, these birds are part of the Tropical Andes themed zone we are working towards in our Master Plan. Scarlet ibis nest in trees and we expect they will flock with our Sacred ibis currently in the aviary.
The Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation was awarded a $3,500 grant from the Melvin F. & Grace McLean Foundation to help fund the education department. These funds were desperately needed to help keep this program operating full-time. More funds are still needed to ensure the future of education at Sequoia Park Zoo. To donate for this specific purpose, or share ideas, call Melinda at 442-5649.
We're proud to announce the opening of our newest exhibit, Everything Travels Downstream! Sponsored by a generous grant from the California Coastal Commission, this interactive exhibit features a microscope station, a larger-than-life matching game, and tons of educational information about salmon life cycles. Located indoors in the Secrets of the Forest, we hope you'll stop by and check it out- it's the perfect rainy day activity! |
In the News |
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| 07.21.10 |
Eureka passes budget: Cuts made to public safety, other city departments |
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| 07.04.10 |
Red pandas make their first public appearance at Sequoia Park Zoo on Friday |
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| 07.01.10 | Red PandaMonium Strikes Humboldt |
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| 06.22.10 | Summer concerts at the Zoo | ||
| 06.06.10 | Celebrate 'World Oceans Week' at zoo | ||
| 05.17.10 | Brew at the Zoo returns | ||
| 04.09.10 | Other ways to support the zoo | ||
| 03.20.10 | Sequoia Park Zoo committee to look at parcel tax to provide permanent funding |
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| 02.23.10 | The Sequoia Park Zoo wants your ideas | ||
| 02.21.10 | Foundation seeks zoo marketing, funding ideas | ||
| 02.17.10 | Eureka: Zoo funding won't go on ballot ... yet | ||
| 02.16.10 | Eureka City decides to continue funding for the Sequoia Park Zoo |
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| 02.15.10 | Sequoia Park Zoo visitors hope to see facility stay open | ||
| 02.14.10 | Some things have to remain sacred | ||
| 02.13.10 | Sequoia Park Zoo re-enters budget crosshairs; councilman wants Eureka voters to decide |
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| 01.23.10 | Rosemary the bear's health continues to deteriorate | ||
| 01.16.10 | Humboldt shares in whale tail license plate funds | ||
| 01.09.10 | Rosemary the bear ailing at Sequoia Park Zoo | ||
| 01.05.10 | Sequoia Park Zoo prepares for red pandas | ||
| 12.26.09 | Zoo residents tear open treats for Christmas | ||
| 12.24.09 | 'Holiday Hoorah' at the zoo | ||
| 09.24.09 | Meet Phoenix and Farrah Foxcett | ||
| 08.28.09 | Generosity abounds in Humboldt | ||
| 08.27.09 | Pride Festival is at the zoo this year | ||
| 08.16.09 | Sequoia Park Zoo: Look toward the future | ||
| 08.09.09 | Accreditation brings Sequoia Park Zoo many benefits | ||
08.02.09 |
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Flat Red Panda Tour Guide Contest
Meet our Newest, Bluest Addition
Discover Mammals of Northern California
Zoo Foundation Awarded funding for Education Department