First they rolled up their sleeves and spent the day at the zoo for a spring cleanup last week – members of the Mill Mountain Zoo Board of Directors and their families that is – then it was time to go out and raise some more money. The Alexander McCausland Trust (named after a local deceased physician) has awarded a $150,000 grant to the zoo, with the stipulation that it must raise $50,000 by June 30 in order to receive that full amount.
Board president Chris Davies-Ross likes to talk about the different components that make up the team for the hilltop zoo, which met another grant challenge over the winter with room to spare. The staff is one part of that team, as is the public that supports the zoo. “We’re … a component [also],” said Davies-Ross of the board, which includes 14 members.
The McCausland grant is a $100,000 gift outright even if the zoo Board can’t raise the $50,000 challenge – but Davies-Ross would like that extra cash. She says the zoo would like to clear up remaining debt and start an endowment. “I feel like we had such a super response to the [winter] challenge that we’ve got some momentum going. We’ve gotten some attention … folks are reminded that we’re up there [on the mountain].”
Mill Mountain Zoo has also released a “wish list” of items needed: hardware, tools, small appliances, etc. It’s also posted on the zoo website. Davies-Ross is hoping that some people or businesses will step forward and offer items from that list as in-kind contributions so that the grant and any additional monies raised can be applied as much as possible towards other financial needs. “We would like to raise $50,000 to be spent on completely wiping out the rest of the debt and establishing the endowment.”
Davies-Ross would like to replace a golf cart used now for all sorts of purposes with a more heavy-duty all-terrain vehicle that can be used to haul mulch and equipment around the 4-acre zoo. That’s one of the more substantial items on that lengthy wish list. “We do have a golf cart now but it’s kind of on its last legs.”
The Zoo is also looking for a membership to Sam’s Club … and flowers to plant on zoo grounds. In the fall Davies-Ross said they’ll be looking for bulbs to plant before winter sets in – so there will be early blooms next spring, “[and] so we’re not replacing those flowers every year.”
By Gene Marrano
