Cosley Zoo, a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is home to 20 exhibits, 200+ animals, and more than 50 species.
History
In 1973, 2.65 acres of land were donated in memory of Harvey Cosley, who owned the land. The zoo officially opened in 1974 and was called Cosley Children’s Park and Museum. In 2000, the name was changed to Cosley Zoo to describe its operation more accurately. Since then, the zoo has grown and expanded to what it is today, a 5-acre oasis, known as Cosley Zoo whose mission is to create connections between people and animals that will inspire lifelong conservation of the natural world.
Conservation
Conservation occurs daily through programs, various initiatives, and best practices. For example, a rain barrel is used to collect water for plants, and the zoo has been a partner in the Blanding’s Turtle Recovery Program, which has reared and releases more than 4,000 turtles since 2000. Other activities include a celebration of Earth Day by participating in Party for the Planet, and citizen science projects including FrogWatch, and stream clean-ups. The zoo also raises funds each year for different endangered species such as the Asian wild horse, red wolf, and Monarch butterflies. The zoo always welcomes donations to support its conservation initiatives.
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The foundation
In 1986, the zoo established The Cosley Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that raises funds in support of capital projects and zoo operations. The foundation has a volunteer board that is passionate about and dedicated to the zoo’s mission. The foundation sponsors events each year such as the Run for the Animals and the Festival of Lights and Christmas tree sales.
Events and programs
Throughout the year, the zoo hosts a variety of events and educational programs that reach 90,000+ people. Programs are offered for all ages and include Zoo to You outreach programs, the Junior Zookeepers, college internships, school, and scout programs, and much more. The zoo also presents a myriad of events such as Cosley Zoo Uncorked wine tasting, Picnic with the Animals, and Fall Fest. The events calendar can be found here.
We invite you to come explore, learn, discover, and create memories with your child(ren). Admission for children under the age of 18 years is always free. Adult admission tickets can be purchased by going to www.Cosleyzoo.org.
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