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 GAINESVILLE — The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is set to transform its visitor experience thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Rotary Clubs of Gainesville Foundation. The private gift will fund an Elevated Treehouse System and Learning Center, a signature feature in the zoo’s new master plan aimed at expanding educational opportunities and improving accessibility for guests and animals alike.

Zoo Director Jonathan Miot said the grant marks a major milestone in advancing the zoo’s long-term vision. “This will move our special space much closer towards our goal of becoming a zoological leader in creating active, immersive and global learning opportunities for all,” Miot said in the announcement. “We are thrilled the Rotary Clubs of Gainesville see our vision and will be part of our journey.”

The collaboration began more than 18 months ago when two senior Rotarians proposed the idea to the Rotary Clubs of Gainesville Board of Directors. After a series of discussions with zoo representatives, the project was officially approved for funding through the 2026 Wild Game Feast grant, one of the foundation’s key philanthropic programs.

Treehouse at the Heart of a New Vision

The planned Elevated Treehouse System and Learning Center will allow visitors to explore the zoo from a higher vantage point, creating new ways to observe exhibits and experience the natural environment. The design includes an outdoor classroom, multi-level play structures, and self-guided learning opportunities that emphasize interactive engagement with wildlife and conservation education.

The treehouse structure will be built by Treetop Builders, a specialty construction company based in Exton, Pennsylvania. The zoo also expects to incorporate additional interactive features showcasing the hidden lives of animals, giving guests a closer look at habitats and animal behaviors.

Construction could begin as soon as March 2026, following completion of the design and permitting phases.

Building on Accessibility and Education

The treehouse initiative builds on the zoo’s recent improvements to make its 10-acre facility more accessible to wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility. It is also part of a broader master development plan supported by Gainesville-based consulting firm NV5, whose expertise helped outline the zoo’s path toward modernization and sustainability.

Santa Fe College President Paul Broadie said the master plan is a key investment in the future of both the zoo and its students. “This grant enables us to advance our plans to enhance the visitor experience to the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo,” Broadie said. “Their expertise has been invaluable in this process, and the results will bolster our world-class zoo. The master plan will make our zoo a prime destination for visitors to our community, while giving our students additional training and learning opportunities to support sustainability, conservation, and preservation of animals across the region and around the world.”

The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo remains the only college-based zoo in the nation accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Operated by roughly 100 students in the college’s Zoo Animal Technology program, the facility is home to more than 70 animal species ranging from small primates to exotic birds and reptiles.

Each year, the zoo welcomes approximately 70,000 visitors, drawing families, students and tourists to popular community events such as Boo at the Zoo, which brings in 5,000–7,000 guests for Halloween festivities, and Brew at the Zoo, held annually in May.

With the Rotary Foundation’s investment and the continued partnership of local organizations, Santa Fe College’s Teaching Zoo is poised to elevate its mission — quite literally — through an innovative treetop experience that blends conservation, education and community engagement.

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