Como Friends hits $50 million milestone after 24 years of support for Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Anna Pearson, Pioneer Press
Updated ·1 min read

Como Friends, the non-profit partner of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, recently announced it reached a milestone of $50 million in donations that have been invested in the zoo’s campus.

The sum is a cumulation of support that has increased every year since the group was founded in 2000, officials say. The first year saw $309,000 raised, with $2 million in the most recent one.

The funds are used to improve visitor amenities, update animal habitats and gardens, expand education programs and preserve free access to the zoo and conservatory. Como Friends’ goal is to inspire community generosity in order to ensure that Como Zoo thrives for generations to come.

“The significance of this is that over 24 years, this wonderful community that we live in has come together to generously support Como Parks and Conservatory through philanthropy,” said Jackie Sticha, Como Friends president.

Because of this support, including individuals, corporations, foundations and proceeds from the gift shop, Como Park is one of the last free metro zoos and botanical gardens in the U.S., with around 1.8 million visitors annually. Donations have allowed the visitor center to open in 2005, updates to the animal habitats such as Como Harbor and Polar Bear Odyssey and new gardens at the Conservatory.

Additionally, Como has launched the Conservation Champions program to provide staff with conservation fieldwork around the world and implement initiatives at Como Park.

The zoo reports generating more than $200 million in economic impact on the region, and providing more than 2,000 jobs.

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