Our Impact
Through the time and talents of the all-volunteer Board of Directors of the Friends of Capron Park Zoo, over $650,000 has been raised and funded a range of capital improvement projects, new equipment, conservation initiatives and education programs. The aggregate impact over the years has enabled Capron Park Zoo to improve and enhance the overall experience for the animal collection, Zoo staff and visitors alike, while also generating support and raising awareness of world and wildlife ecology.
Community Engagement Since Inception:
110 Fundraising activities and events
240 Board members and volunteers
3,750 Individual and corporate donors
15,000+ Hours of volunteer time
Since 2007, FCPZ has donated over $13,000 to 11 conservation projects in 9 countries in support of the Zoo’s AZA accreditation.
Additionally, each year, FCPZ supports a global conservation effort, for example: Madagascar Fauna Group Lemur Protection Program (2009); Lion Tamarin Conservation Fund of Brazil (2010); ALTA (2013); Coastal North Carolina American Alligator Project (2015); Mabula Ground Hornbill Project (2016); Red Panda Network (2017-2018); and a Wildlife SOS project titled “Relationships between Sloth Bear cubbing dens and human disturbances” (2018).
Initially, FCPZ organized to establish a strong foundation of community engagement through memberships, education initiatives and gift shop operations. After fifteen years of sustained funding for the staffing and operations of these functions, along with in-kind equipment – like the Zoomobile – FCPZ’s Board voted to transition them to the City of Attleboro. Beginning in 2000, FCPZ’s strategic direction shifted to focus on fundraising in support of Capron Park Zoo’s growth and conservation work.
In 2020, FCPZ has set its sights on refurbishment of Kaitlynn’s Garden, in collaboration with the Attleboro Garden Club, completion of the Zoo-wide sound system installation, funding the development of a new tortoise exhibit, funding the building materials for education animal cages, giving away one family membership pass each quarter through free-entry raffle events, like the Coloring Page Activity and Remember When Picture Sharing, and raising community engagement activity through the launch of the FCPZ Volunteer Corps. Checkout our Facebook page for more updates! https://www.facebook.com/focpz/ .
Highlights of Major Donations to the Zoo to date.
