From Roars to Reefs: the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium’s bold new future

Community Appeals Campaign Surpasses Goals

With a shared passion for education, conservation and connection, two local institutions—the Great Plains Zoo and the Butterfly House & Aquarium—are charting a new course together. As the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA), they’re creating a one-stop, year-round destination where families, children, and nature lovers of all ages can explore, learn, and make lifelong memories.

This vision is coming to life through their ambitious We Can’t Wait! capital campaign. The Chamber’s Community Appeals campaign, which ran from November 2024 to March 2025, served as an energizing early push—exceeding its goal and raising $2,354,240, thanks to the generosity of local businesses. That momentum is now carrying SFZA into the public phase of the
campaign, with more than $15 million raised to date toward matching Denny Sanford’s transformative $25 million gift.

“These projects have broad appeal,” said SFZA CEO Becky Dewitz. “They enhance the lives of people across our community and region, boost tourism in eastern South Dakota, and make a meaningful economic impact. Our volunteers and donors really rallied behind the vision, and when you add the incredible generosity of our local business community, it was a recipe for success.”

Plans include a butterfly garden featuring a waterfall inspired by the Falls of the Big Sioux River, a 350,000-gallon shark reef aquarium, and an expanded education center. Together, they will create vibrant, modern spaces where our growing community can connect with the beauty of wild species and natural environments.

According to projections by Canopy Strategic Partners, annual attendance is estimated to reach 450,000 visitors once the new spaces are open. In addition to creating new experiences, the project is expected to generate an estimated $522 million in overall economic impact by 2030, including $60 million annually.

Of course, the project’s true impact can’t be measured in dollars alone. “This isn’t just about bricks and mortar,” said Dewitz. “It’s about our mission—bringing nature closer to future generations and enriching the lives of all who walk through our gates.”

Behind the scenes, 80 passionate volunteers helped make the Community Appeals campaign a success. Their outreach to Chamber members sparked connections with business leaders who may not have previously known about SFZA’s mission. “The Community Appeals process provided credibility and visibility for this amazing project,” said SFZA board member and Community Appeals Co-Chair Laura Mitchell, Lawrence & Schiller. “It built momentum, broadened our reach, and helped us start our campaign strong.”

To maintain business continuity, the construction will proceed in phases beginning with the butterfly garden, followed by the education center and aquarium. Fundraising efforts will continue with a goal to bring all teams and resources under one roof by the end of 2027.

Bringing the zoo and aquarium together on one unified campus will offer more than just convenience—it opens the door to year-round programming, more robust educational offerings, and deeper conservation efforts. “Combining our teams has helped us broaden and deepen our mission impact,” said SFZA COO Audrey Otto-Pepper. “It’s enabled us to inspire the community in a whole new way, establishing a scope and vision that is possible only because we are together.”