A Letter from Como Friends President Katie Hill
Dear Friend,
Just the other day, as Como’s talented team of horticulturists were preparing the Sunken Garden for the Holiday Flower Show, an armadillo named Dilla stopped by to help dig up the flower beds. Under the watchful eye of her Como Zoo keepers, the six-banded armadillo dove into her work, scrambling through spent flowers, scurrying along the reflecting pool, and pushing her snout through every square inch of dirt she could find. The short and messy visit was enriching for Dilla, great for the soil, and completely delightful for those of us who got a chance to see it..
Behind-the-scenes experiences like this have been one of the unexpected perks of my new role as president of Como Friends, and they’ve helped open my eyes to some of the extraordinary things taking place at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory every day. As a Saint Paul resident, I’ve always been proud of Como’s free admission—but I didn’t realize that we’re one of just a handful of zoos in the country that have made this commitment to accessibility. As a parent, I’ve seen how powerful it is to get face-to-face with a polar bear—what I didn’t know is that our own Como Zoo is nationally recognized for its innovative leadership in polar bear care. As a Minnesotan, I’ve always been grateful for the color the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory provides during the darkest months—but now that I’ve glimpsed the thousands of plants growing in the Conservatory’s 30,000-square-foot greenhouse, I have an even greater appreciation of the expertise and exquisite care that goes into creating Como’s gorgeous public gardens.
There’s no question, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is an exceptional place, and people like you are part of that story. From the volunteers who’ve spent decades teaching visitors about nature, to donors who wouldn’t dream of missing an event like Sunset Affair, nearly every Como supporter I’ve met so far—and I look forward to meeting many more of you in the year ahead—has shared with me the deeply personal reasons they keep coming back to Como. Some of you have fond memories that go back for generations, of first dates, and field trips, and wedding parties right on Como’s campus. Many more of you are making those memories right now, like the working parents who told me they take one Friday off of work every month just to bring their kids to Como, and to say hi to Chloe the sloth.
As the year comes to an end, I want to say thank you for everything you’ve done for Como Friends in 2025, providing the resources to make this long-treasured institution do more for our nearly two million annual visitors. From expanding our popular free field trip program with Saint Paul Public Schools, to providing cutting-edge veterinary care to our young polar bear pair, Astra and Kulu, gifts of all sizes make a big difference at Como, an investment I get to see every day. Here’s a look at just a few of the ways your generosity was invested at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in 2025:
Protecting and Improving One of Minnesota’s Most Iconic Institutions
With nearly two million annual visitors in 2025, Como is Minnesota’s most visited cultural institution. Your contributions help us keep pace with maintaining and improving every corner of Como’s well-loved campus, from upgrading the sound system in Como Zoo’s bustling Aquatics Building, to improving the landscaping around Gorilla Forest, to bringing natural light into the small monkey habitats.
Fostering Empathy Through Education
Did you know that knowing a zoo animal by name, and as an individual, can inspire conservation-minded behavior long after you’ve left Como? That’s one of the findings within a growing body of research about empathy-focused education, a nationwide movement that counts Como’s innovative education department as a leading partner. From the free field trips now offered to second- and fourth-grade classrooms across the Saint Paul school district, to the planning process behind updating the Leonard Wilkening Children’s Gallery, your support helps spark excitement about the natural world. By funding scholarships for school group programs and summer camps, your support also removes economic barriers to education, empowering the next generation to be great stewards of the natural world.
Keeping the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Growing
It takes nearly 10,000 bulbs to bring the Sunken Garden into full bloom for the Spring Flower Show, and that’s just one of five rotating shows Como visitors come to see every year. That’s why contributions to Como Friends are so important, providing for the purchase of new plant materials, shipping costs for new tropical plants and palm trees, and other specialized plant care materials. This year, your support also helped replace the grow lights in Como’s working Orchid House, and the purchase of additional planters to expand campus floral displays through all four seasons.
Compassionate Care for Animals at Como Zoo
Have you seen Chloe the sloth’s new habitat features? The new installations allow Como’s free-ranging sloth to spend more of her time in Tropical Encounters, while keeping her safe from contact with visitors. Investments like this help Como Zoo provide more compassionate care for more than 1,000 animals, supporting everything from a new zero grade pool installation for future grey seal pups, to a portable anesthesia machine and a forced air Bair Hugger system to provide even more on-site veterinary care to elderly animals like Nan and Neil, two of the oldest polar bears in North America. Whether it’s buying more specialized vet supplies, supporting endangered Wyoming toads, or ordering fun new enrichment toys for young polar bears Astra and Kulu, your support helps keep Como Zoo’s animals healthy and curious.
As you can see, contributions of every size are valued at Como, and invested in the animals, plants, and programs that inspire nearly two million annual visitors. Thank you for all you do for Como!
Katie Hill
President
P.S. When you become a member of Como Friends, you’ll be invited to great events and experiences that give you an inside look at Como, including a special Blaze Sparky Show just for supporters, coming up on May 30, 2026. Hope to see you there!
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Contributions of every size make a difference at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
