Sequoia Park Zoo is remodeling the aviary to give the resident birds a better home! The Nancy Hilfiker Aviary was created in 1993 through a generous donation by Bill Hilfiker and other Zoo supporters. Thanks to another recent gift from Mr. Hilfiker in memory of his wife, Nancy, and the Stewart-Nicholson Memorial Fund and Nancy Hilfiker Memorial Fund at the Humboldt Area Foundation, as well as capital funding from the City of Eureka, the Zoo has most of the funds it needs. To complete the project, the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation will have to raise an additional $15,000 from friends and supporters of the Zoo.

The updated habitat has been designed to significantly improve the lives of aviary residents. Donors of the first 120 gifts of $100 or more will be acknowledged with a handmade tile by local artist Sara Starr personalized with their name and displayed in the new aviary foyer -- a lasting legacy of generosity to the zoo. For a gift of $150 or more, donors may choose which tile they would like to personalize -- the California Quail, Red-crested Turaco, Green Heron, Crested Screamer or Sacred Ibis. Tiles will be laid around a fountain in the aviary foyer for visitors to enjoy. Help is not restricted to these levels. If you are interested in improving the birds’ home, donations of all amounts are appreciated.

This is the first large-scale project in the Zoo’s new Master Plan. The size and shape of the aviary will remain the same, but the experience will change dramatically, providing the following benefits:

* Allow the birds to more fully utilize their habitat and improve visitor viewing opportunities by re-routing and elevating the walkway.

* Provide new plants with better cover and fruits and berries on which the birds can forage.

* Offer varied sources of water for each different type of bird, including a waterfall, standing pond, bubbling brook, and a marsh.

* Additional seating for visitors will be provided using benches and natural boulders.

* New interpretive materials and bird identification tiles.

* New foyer with a coin-toss pool, fountain and a relaxing resting spot.

* Display of handmade, personalized bird tiles by local tile artist Sara Starr.

To support this important project, visit www.SequoiaParkZoo.net/aviary.html or call Melinda Booth at the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation at 707-442-5649.