Oakland Zoo Expansion Benefits Entire Region

The launch of the new California Trail, an $80 million expansion project that will double the size of Oakland Zoo, heralds an exciting new commitment by the Oakland Zoo to enrich the lives of people and wildlife in the Bay Area by connecting people with nature through its extensive public engagement, education and wildlife conservation efforts. Members of the Bay Area Council met last week at an event held at the new California Trail Landing Café to learn about the impact of this new addition to the Bay Area landscape from a social, environmental and economic perspective and the exciting collaboration opportunity that it presents to corporations committed to supporting a thriving Bay Area.

Guests were treated to an enlightening panel discussion between Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman, San Francisco Travel President & CEO Joe D’Alessandro and Oakland Zoo President & CEO Dr. Joel Parrott on why this new development matters to the people who live, play, work and visit the region. The education and conservation focus of Oakland Zoo were a major topic of discussion amongst the panelists. Oakland Zoo already positively impacts the lives of more than 60,000 young people across the Bay Area each year through a range of STEM-related education programs. California Trail will provide an opportunity to extend the reach of these programs with a focus on increasing access to more Title 1 schools in the region.

“The new gondola and the entire California Trail Project is one of the most exciting additions to come to Oakland and the Bay Area in many years. As a Trustee of Oakland Zoo, I couldn’t be prouder of the incredible efforts of Dr. Joel Parrott, who with the Oakland Zoo team, the Board of Trustees, and many generous people and foundations, have made this incredible project possible” Wunderman said. “It’s now time for Bay Area companies committed to a thriving Bay Area to embrace the opportunity to partner with the Oakland Zoo team in their important work to enrich life for people and wildlife in the region.  Their support will not only be good for the Bay Area but also for the companies themselves as they go about doing good and doing well.”

To learn about partnership opportunities with the Oakland Zoo, please contact Special Assistant to the CEO Suzanne Robinson.