EUREKA, CA – The Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation (SPZF) is honored to receive the 2024 Hospitality and
Tourism of the Year Award from the Arcata Chamber of Commerce (ACC). ACC Board President Bob
Judevine and Mayor of Arcata/ACC Executive Director Meredith Matthews presented a custom wooden
plaque and certificate to the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation in honor of their extraordinary contribution to the community at the Annual Leadership Awards Dinner on February 24, 2024. “The Foundation is pleased to be recognized for our support of the award-winning Sequoia Park Zoo and our ongoing partnership with the City of Eureka. The Sequoia Park Zoo is an amazing asset for our community in addition to bringing more tourism to our region.” said Candy Stockton, Board President of SPZF.
Fundraising efforts of the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation achieved significant accomplishments in 2023
including:
- Completion of the Bear and Coyote habitat, home to new American black bear residents Noni and Tule
- Funding endangered species projects at Sequoia Park Zoo such as the Behren’s Silverspot Butterfly Project, and Condor Care Center for reintroduced condors on the north coast
- Awarding grants to local and international organizations supporting efforts in conservation
- Hosting special events including Behind-the-Scenes Bears, Forest Moon Fest at Sequoia Park Zoo, Brew at the Zoo, Boo at the Zoo, and the second highest netting Zootini to date
- Lighting and electrical installation projects illuminating zoo grounds and powered this year’s
inaugural Zoo Lights: Holiday Extravaganza - Sponsoring the Conservation Lecture Series featuring both in-person and live virtual talks on local and global conservation projects
- Fundraising for the 2024 Red Panda Habitat update project
SPZF’s efforts continue to positively impact the community, drawing record attendance from visitors from all over the world to our award-winning Sequoia Park Zoo and Redwood Sky Walk.
SPZF’s Executive Director, Alegria Sita stated in a speech at the event, “This year SPZF is celebrating 20 years of supporting and enhancing our small, yet nationally recognized, world-class zoo. In two decades, we’ve raised over $14 million dollars, and changed the face of the zoo, all with the intention of becoming a premier tourist destination.” Alegria continued, “This award is an affirmation that you, our community, believe in, support and contribute to the work we are doing together to draw tourism to our remarkable redwood coast. Thank you, and here’s to another 20+ years of partnership, collaboration, cooperation, and vision!”
SPZF would like to congratulate the many wonderful organizations nominated for ACC 2024 awards. SPZF thanks their partners at the City of Eureka’s Sequoia Park Zoo, as well as the community of supporters believing in their mission and supporting conservation of the natural world with their actions.
