The Saint Louis Zoo has kicked off the public phase of a $170 million fundraising campaign aimed at building new attractions and boosting the zoo’s long-term financial footing. The drive, branded as "Better Wild, Better World," has already pulled in more than $152 million in private donations, leaving just under $18 million to hit the goal line.
According to Saint Louis Zoo, the May 14 public launch frames the effort as a three-part push: complete WildCare Park in North County, construct the Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery at the Forest Park campus, and grow the endowment to support operations well into the future. "This is a critical time for wildlife and our community," Dana Brown President and CEO Dwight Scott said in the announcement, urging donors to help close the remaining gap.
What's the money for?
St. Louis Business Journal reports that the campaign will fund the WildCare Park safari project in Spanish Lake, the hands-on Destination Discovery experience at the main campus, and an expanded endowment to steady programming and conservation work. The outlet notes that the effort moved through a quiet phase first, securing major leadership gifts before the public rollout.
WildCare Park and Destination Discovery
WildCare Park is planned as a 425-acre safari and conservation campus where visitors will board guided safaris, explore nature trails, and climb an 11-story observation tower for sweeping views. The zoo’s release describes Destination Discovery as a roughly 2.8-acre, family-focused reimagining of the former Emerson Children’s Zoo, with interactive exhibits and education spaces. The project’s estimated price tag is about $58.9 million, according to the organization. More details on both projects are outlined in the zoo’s announcement, and Saint Louis Zoo shares concept renderings and timelines for each piece of the plan.
Fundraising progress
Zoo officials say the campaign has already attracted more than $152 million in private commitments during the confidential phase, leaving roughly $18 million to raise publicly to reach the $170 million mark. Local coverage highlights a roster of leadership donors and the volunteer cabinet guiding the effort as the ask now extends to the broader community. St. Louis Business Journal has detailed the fundraising totals and campaign leadership.
What it could mean for Spanish Lake and north county
Urban planners and regional reporters suggest WildCare Park could become a major economic engine for north county, with outside projections pointing to hundreds of millions of dollars in regional activity over the park’s first decade and hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Coverage in St. Louis Magazine outlines both the potential upside and the looming infrastructure challenges, including transit connections and roadway upgrades, that local officials will have to tackle if those visitor numbers materialize.
Timeline and next steps
Destination Discovery is scheduled to open later this year, while WildCare Park is still slated for a 2027 public debut as construction continues at the north county site. Local reports note that animals and core infrastructure have already begun to arrive and that the timing of the public phase is designed to help finish capital work and strengthen the endowment ahead of opening. For construction milestones and community planning developments, St. Louis Public Radio has been following the WildCare Park project since it was announced.
The Better Wild, Better World campaign is the largest fundraising push in the zoo’s history, a pivotal moment for donors, civic leaders, and residents weighing how the new attractions should fit into the broader region. Zoo officials say they will share ongoing updates on gifts and project progress through annual reports and dedicated campaign pages as the public phase moves forward.
