Support Como

Como Friends launched its first capital campaign for the construction of the Visitor Center that united the historic Zoo and Conservatory with a shared entrance and a shared mission. The successful public-private partnership between Como Friends and the City of Saint Paul reached its $32.45 million goal in 2003, supporting such needed visitor amenities as a year-round restaurant and updated restrooms. In addition to the Visitor Center, opened in 2004, this community-wide initiative secured funding for the new Fern Room in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, the immersive Tropical Encounters exhibit opened in 2005, a new behind-the-scenes Animal Support Building, and renovation of the 1930s-era Zoological Building for administrative use.

Como Friends’ next campaign was committed to building a naturalistic new habitat for Como Zoo’s polar bears and a new wing to showcase the Conservatory’s nationally-regarded Japanese horticultural collections. The $18.8 million raised made it possible to welcome polar bears Buzz and Neil to the award-winning Polar Bear Odyssey in 2010, and to unveil Como’s exceptional Bonsai collection to the public in The Ordway Gardens in 2013.

Como Friends and the City of Saint Paul began work to secure funding for a new seals and sea lions habitat, achieving $20.38 million to support Como Harbor by 2018. Opened to the public in 2021, this state-of-the-art habitat features a large, year-round, salt water pool for the seals and sea lions; a new underwater viewing experience; a new restaurant with extensive outdoor seating; and the new shaded KSTP Amphitheater for the new SPIRE Sparky Show.