Little Rock, Arkansas – A major fundraising effort aimed at reshaping the Little Rock Zoo has received a significant boost, with the Arkansas Zoological Foundation committing $1.2 million to Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined.
The gift, announced September 15, represents one of the largest contributions the foundation has made to the Little Rock Zoo. It will help support the large-scale project as construction continues toward a planned grand opening in spring 2027.
Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined is intended to change the way visitors experience the zoo while also creating improved spaces for the animals. The project is one of the biggest undertakings in the zoo’s history and is designed to strengthen its work in wildlife conservation, education and community engagement.
The foundation’s $1.2 million commitment comes from several sources. It includes a $250,000 leadership contribution from the Laura P. Nichols Foundation, money raised through the zoo’s major fundraising events and donations from individuals, companies and other community supporters.
The contribution will be combined with more than $11 million in bond funds that were approved by Little Rock voters. Together, the funding is helping move the project closer to completion and allowing the zoo to develop new areas for animals while creating additional experiences for visitors.
“This is a remarkable moment for the Little Rock Zoo and for everyone who believes in the power of zoos to connect people with wildlife and inspire conservation,” said Lisa Buehler, chair of the Arkansas Zoological Foundation Board. “The generosity represented in this gift is a reflection of something much bigger than a fundraising campaign. It is a statement about what our community believes the Zoo can become—and what we want future generations to experience. We are extraordinarily proud to help move Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined toward its full promise.”
The planned improvements cover several parts of the zoo. New habitats are being created for the zoo’s lemurs, while another new area will house capybara and squirrel monkeys together in a mixed-species habitat.
The project also includes a new habitat for anteaters and another new habitat for the zoo’s tortoises. In the tortoise area, visitors will have the opportunity to feed the animals, creating a more interactive experience.
The zoo’s amphitheater is also being renovated as part of the project. The combination of new habitats, renovated facilities and visitor experiences is expected to give the zoo a significantly different look and feel once the work is completed.
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For zoo officials, however, the project is about more than construction and new buildings.
“This extraordinary gift gives us tremendous momentum as we enter this important chapter in the life of the Little Rock Zoo,” said Susan Altrui, Zoo Director. “Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined is about much more than new spaces. It is about creating meaningful connections—with animals, with nature and with one another. The support of the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and our many donors allows us to dream boldly while remaining focused on what matters most: the animals in our care, the conservation work we support and the people we serve.”
The project is being supported by a broad group of donors, with private philanthropy playing an important role in the fundraising effort.
The Laura P. Nichols Foundation’s $250,000 contribution is part of that support. Mark Nichols said the organization sees the zoo as an important part of the Little Rock community and views the project as an opportunity to create a lasting local asset.
“The Little Rock Zoo is an important part of the fabric of this community, and its future deserves our investment,” said Mark Nichols of the Laura P. Nichols Foundation. “Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined presents an exciting opportunity to create something that will serve families, children and visitors for generations. We are pleased to make this leadership investment and to join the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and other donors in helping bring this vision to life.”
Fundraising for the project has also benefited from several of the zoo’s popular events. Revenue from Wild Wines, Zoo Brew and Cocktails, Too, and GloWild has contributed to the campaign, along with donations from people and organizations that have chosen to support the zoo’s long-term plans.
The fundraising campaign, however, is continuing.
Although the Arkansas Zoological Foundation’s latest contribution marks a major point in the effort, organizers say there is still more work to be done before the project reaches its planned completion. Fundraising will continue throughout the construction period and through the project’s grand opening in spring 2027.
That means individuals, families, businesses and foundations will still have opportunities to contribute to Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined.
“This is a milestone, but it is not the finish line,” Buehler said. “There is still an opportunity for our community to be part of this extraordinary transformation. Every gift helps us move closer to realizing the complete vision for a Zoo that can inspire wonder, curiosity and conservation for decades to come.”
The Little Rock Zoo is Arkansas’s only Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA, accredited zoo. Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined is expected to expand its role as a place where visitors can learn about wildlife while seeing animals in updated environments.
The project also reflects the zoo’s broader focus on conservation and education. Alongside the new animal habitats, the improvements are intended to give visitors more opportunities to interact with the natural world and learn about the animals in the zoo’s care.
With the spring 2027 opening approaching, the current fundraising effort is expected to remain an important part of the project. The latest $1.2 million commitment provides additional support as construction and planning continue.
More information about Project Zoo: Wildly Reimagined and ways to support the project is available through the Arkansas Zoological Foundation at ArkZooFoundation.org.
