$5 Million Gift To Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo Kickstarts Master Plan

The Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo at Millbrook School is excited to announce that it has received an anonymous $5 million donation, the largest in the organization’s history. This unrestricted gift will support the zoo’s master plan for expansion and improvement.

 

Two phases of that plan are already well underway. A new holding barn—an essential facility for Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accreditation that houses off-exhibit animals—is nearing completion. In addition, the zoo is collaborating with animal hospital architects at DesignLeveL to build a dedicated animal wellness center. Zoo staff Dr. Alan Tousignant, Jessica Bennett, and Kyleen Depew connected with DesignLeveL experts at the 2024 AZA Conference in Calgary, Canada, and initial design work for the center is now in progress. While DesignLevel is explicitly focused on the animal wellness center, Millbrook is also working with CBT Architects to bring to life many enhancements and new spaces throughout the zoo.

 

The Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo attracts more than 40,000 visitors each year, and the gift will support the expansion of exhibits, event space, and educational programming to better accommodate its growing audience. Plans also include enlarging the parking lot and creating a beautiful new main gate and walkway.

 

Most importantly, this generous gift will enhance the unique academic experience that is so valuable to Millbrook students. From learning to lead as curators, to conducting college-level scientific research, to becoming thoughtful stewards of the natural world, students grow tremendously through their academic and community service work. Upgraded facilities and expanded capacity to care for animals will significantly strengthen the academic foundation that equips and inspires these high schoolers to become future conservation leaders.

• Passionate for Red Pandas
• Conservationist Jon Rossi Visits the Zoo