Friends of Oxbow reaches $1 million fundraising goal for Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo nature center

April 17, 2024

Friends of Oxbow (FOX) has reached its fundraising goal of $1 million for the nature center at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. This significant milestone marks the final step in funding the new facility which opened to the public in May 2023. 

Friends of Oxbow is a community organization dedicated to supporting Olmsted County's Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. The non-profit is also focused on upholding natural spaces and sustainable recreational and educational resources in our community. 

"We are grateful to Friends of Oxbow for their remarkable generosity and steadfast commitment to the success of Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo," said Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Chair Sheila Kiscaden. "This achievement reflects their strong commitment to our collective interest in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature."

The nature center at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo provides opportunities for environmental education, conservation, and community engagement. The center offers a larger space, cutting-edge amenities, and engaging programming to help visitors connect with the natural world and become better environmental stewards. These features are highlighted in a video which showcases the nature center. 

"The generous support from donors has enabled our community to come together and celebrate the natural world we all share," stated FOX President Seanne Buckwalter.  

“This fundraising milestone demonstrates the support and dedication of both Friends of Oxbow and our community,” said Olmsted County Parks Director Karlin Ziegler. “We are thrilled to see this goal met.” 

In addition to the private donations raised by FOX, a Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy grant and federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act helped to fund the nature center project. 

This spring, Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo visitors will notice landscaping work around the new nature center and the zoo's entrance. These continued enhancements aim to create a more welcoming environment that fits with the center’s natural surroundings. 

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Media Contact: Sue Struckmann, Support Services Supervisor, 507-328-7006