Friends of Oxbow receives $100K from Mayo Clinic for new nature center capital campaign

  • News
  • Dec 19, 2022
construction work takes place on the Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo nature center

Initially published by Friends of Oxbow.

Friends of Oxbow was recently awarded $100,000 of grant funding by Mayo Clinic to support its fundraising efforts for the new Oxbow Park nature center in Byron, Minnesota. Friends of Oxbow is a non-profit organization that supports the educational, environmental, and recreational goals of Oxbow Park.

“Friends of Oxbow is pleased and very thankful to receive this grant award and put it toward classroom technology, biome exhibits, and zoo animals in the new center. The new nature center will serve as a hub for the community and will be able to extend the park’s programs, activities, and education impact beyond what it is currently able to offer,” said Friends of Oxbow President Seanne P. Buckwalter.

Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo is a no fee park that was founded in 1969 and is one of Olmsted County’s premier parks. Established in the early 1980s, Friends of Oxbow has played a critical role in the park’s success. This advocacy group has donated well over $750,000 to Oxbow, and members serve an important role as both advisors and advocates for the facility.

The Oxbow Park nature center’s expansive new exhibit hall will showcase the geology, flora, and fauna of southeastern Minnesota. Live animal displays, educational exhibits with prompted activities, and areas for exploratory play will excite minds of all ages and offer hours of discoveries. A wildlife viewing area and resource library will offer a relaxing place to spend time.

Friends of Oxbow believes this grant will have significant impact on the community. The new nature center at Oxbow Park will connect even more people to the outdoors and better provide programming that showcases the region’s natural resources, including Zollman Zoo’s 30+ species of native animals.

Since May of 2021, Friends of Oxbow has been working hard to reach a fundraising goal of $1,000,000. For more information, visit FriendsofOxbow.org or email friendsofoxbow@gmail.com.