Capital Projects

Construction and descriptions are subject to change during the course of project completion. Please call The Oregon Zoo Foundation at
(503) 220-5734 for more information and to check availability.

Campaign for Condors

The California Condor Recovery Program is an inter-state project to breed and reintroduce these critically endangered scavengers to their natural territories. Oregon Zoo is proud to be accepted to provide the next-stage conservation facility. The recovery team is ready right now to provide us with breeding pairs as soon as we're ready. Construction plans have already begun, and we'll be ready as early as this autumn!

The off-site breeding complex will provide huge flight aviaries for this huge North American native. Naturalistic rock work, shallow pools, perches and weather shelters, as well as space for flight conditioning of young condors, are needed to give the condor the best chances for survival in the wild. Additionally, facilities for egg incubation, hatching and chick-rearing, keeper areas, perimeter fencing, video cameras are all part of the plan. Web-cams will provide an opportunity for you to view their progress and join a public research team of observers.

After the breeding facility is constructed, Oregon Zoo wants to share the story of the California condor with Zoo visitors by incorporating an exhibit with the Great Northwest on Zoo grounds. The Condors of the Columbia exhibit will replicate a Pacific Northwest rocky cliff and ruggest forest habitat in which condors once thrived. A large free-flight aviary for non-releasable birds will raise public awareness of the California condor, its historical Oregon connection and the Zoo's role in one of the world's most compelling conservation stories.

Email or call 503-220-5707 for more!

The Most Complex, Multi-Species Habitat
Ever Planned at the Oregon Zoo

THE GREAT NORTHWEST                    

The 20-acre Great Northwest project featuring native animals such as mountain goat, black bear, cougar, wolverine, bald eagle, salmon, otter and sea lion will provide visitors with a tour of Northwest alpine slopes, lush forests and watersheds, fertile valleys and the rugged Pacific coast. The Great Northwest will raise public awareness of our region's priceless natural heritage and encourage responsible actions towards the environment.

We are seeking gifts at all levels for Phase IV of Great Northwest, including exhibit sponsorship and naming opportunities. Sponsorship opportunities are highlighted in BOLD.

• TITLE SPONSOR: For a gift that equals no less than 50% of the construction cost, an exhibit can be permanently named for a company, foundation or individual.  Gift range varies.

• PRESENTING SPONSOR: Presenting sponsors of exhibits will receive permanent recognition at or near the exhibit.  Gifts range from $50,000 and up.

• ANNUAL SPONSOR: Annual exhibit sponsorships are available with a two-year commitment beginning at $25,000 per year.  Sponsor recognition provided at exhibit.   

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION:

Summit

The Great Northwest experience begins high on the Cascade Crest with a herd of mountain goats roaming a magnificent rocky outcrop on the edge of a new Entrance Village (completed in September 1998). Before leaving the summit area, visitors will discover a pair of golden eagles nesting in the rocks nearby.

Forest

The elevated boardwalk will gently descend into the adjacent second-growth forest, passing within a few feet of a family of black bears. Interpretive displays will introduce visitors to the forest mosaic.The Wyeast Trail will continue along a wooded ravine and provide dramatic views of other forest inhabitants including the endearing saw-whet and pygmy owls. Large mammals such as bobcat, cougar, grizzly bear and wolf will be seen among the trees as well as the majestic Roosevelt elk. A small cabin will offer visitor amenities and serve as a Wildlife Viewing Station for close-up views of great horned owls and porcupines. 

A walk-through aviary will feature highly intelligent crows, ravens and jays at close range. The Cascade Canyon boardwalk will give visitors access to a remote forest where several exhibits featuring wildlife "specialists" are planned. These animals -- including spotted owl, red tree voles, fisher, lynx, mountain beaver and wolverine all require undisturbed forest ecosystems.

Watershed

As the Cascade Canyon Trail approaches the bottom of the wooded ravine, visitors will hear the rushing sounds of a forest stream. Bald eagles will be seen perching on the branches of streamside snags, their brilliant white heads flashing in the sun. Interpretive graphics will tell the inspirational story of the recovery of our national symbol throughout the Northwest and our nation and underscore the importance of healthy watersheds. This exhibit will also recreate a typical Northwest salmon stream with 20,000 gallons of clear, flowing water, a rocky bottom and gravelly shallows just right for spawning. Four-foot-high windows will offer underwater views of fish. Adventurous children will be able to crawl into a clear acrylic tube that curves through the water to see the stream from a salmon's perspective.

The Cascade Canyon Trail will follow the stream channel into the Cascades Stream exhibit building the existing home to a playful family of river otters as well as beaver, sturgeon, trout and some three dozen, seldom-seen fish, amphibian and reptile species. Renovations to the Cascades Stream building will upgrade off-exhibit animal facilities and create a new, "hands-on" Nature Center for children, adults and families. The Cascade Canyon Trail will follow the stream through a great blue heron aviary and lead to a new Family Farm at the forest edge.

Valley

The Trillium Creek Family farm including a small farmyard, barn, farmhouse, chicken coop, orchard and garden will feature domesticated, pettable animals while telling the story of the regions agricultural roots and continuing rural vitality. A two-story barn, based upon the traditional Willamette Valley farm barn, will be a center of activity. Six indoor stalls and three outdoor yards will house livestock and offer chances for children to meet farm animals such as sheep, chickens, and cows including registered rare breeds. Outbuilding exhibits will display several species of wildlife common to Northwest farms (e.g. raccoon, barn owl, skunk and fox).

Coast

Visitors leaving the Trillium Creek Family Farm will either board the popular Zoo train at its newly relocated station or continue their journey through a salt-water estuary exhibit on the way to Steller Cove. The estuary will link the watershed messages of the lower Cascade Canyon Trail to the coastal marine exhibits of Steller Cove. Steller Cove, the lively domain of the massive, endangered Steller sea lion and the playful southern sea otter, will also feature fascinating tide pool animals, kelp beds and hands-on exhibits in a Marine Discovery Lab. The adjacent Pacific Shores Plaza will integrate Steller Cove with the Zoos existing marine exhibits polar bears and Humboldt penguins.

For more information, please contact at (503) 220-5734.

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