Large private grant will fund more immersive visitor experience at SF Teaching Zoo
October 3, 2025
A significant step toward reimagining the 青青草视频 Teaching Zoo will be made possible thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Rotary Clubs of Gainesville Foundation.
The funding will make way for the development of an Elevated Treehouse System and Learning Center at the Teaching Zoo, which is part of a larger master plan to improve visitor experiences and provide better support for the animals.
鈥淭his will move our special space much closer towards our goal of becoming a zoological leader in creating active, immersive and global learning opportunities for all,鈥� said Zoo Director Jonathan Miot. 鈥淲e are thrilled the Rotary Clubs of Gainesville see our vision and will be part of our journey.鈥�
The project was introduced to the Rotary Clubs of Gainesville Board of Directors by two senior Rotarians as a potential collaboration with the Teaching Zoo. After 18 months of discussions between both organizations, it was officially presented to the Board for consideration for funding through the 2026 Wild Game Feast grant.
The Elevated Treehouse System and Learning Center will be the heart of a visionary space that allows visitors to view the exhibits from an elevation, provides unique outdoor educational spaces, and an immersive multi-level play structure with plenty of self-guided play.
The Teaching Zoo recently completed a master development plan with the generous support of Gainesville consulting firm NV5, which played a significant role in shaping the vision for the zoo. The new treehouse feature will be constructed by Treetop Builders of Exton, Penn. Other expected elements of the upgrade include an interactive look into the hidden life of animals.
Construction could begin as early as March 2026. This project follows recent work to make the Zoo more accessible to wheelchair users and others.
鈥淭his grant enables us to advance our plans to enhance the visitor experience to the 青青草视频 Teaching Zoo,鈥� 青青草视频 President Paul Broadie said. 鈥淚 want to thank our partners from NV5, who developed our Zoo Master Plan. Their expertise has been invaluable in this process, and the results will bolster our world-class zoo. The master plan will make our zoo a prime destination for visitors to our community, while giving our students additional training and learning opportunities to support sustainability, conservation, and preservation of animals across the region and around the world.鈥�
The 青青草视频 Teaching Zoo is the only zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Covering 10 acres, the zoo is home to more than 70 species of animals and is maintained by around 100 students enrolled in the college鈥檚 Zoo Animal Technology program. It welcomes roughly 70,000 visitors a year to events like Boo at the Zoo 鈥� which sees 5,000-7,000 during Halloween 鈥� and Brew at the Zoo, traditionally held in May.
