Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium launches Community Appeals Campaign
A new era of conservation, education and community impact
Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA) is poised to become a year-round destination where families, students, and visitors can explore the wonders of land, sea, and sky—all under one roof. Formed from the merger of two local institutions—Great Plains Zoo and the Butterfly House & Aquarium—SFZA’s mission is to create connections and inspire conservation of wild species and spaces.
“When we began exploring partnership opportunities in 2020, we quickly realized that merging our missions would allow us to reach more people and make a bigger impact,” said Becky Dewitz, CEO of SFZA. “The synergy between our organizations enables us to expand our educational outreach and enhance our conservation efforts—both locally and globally.”
SFZA was officially created in 2023, but it boasts over 80 years of combined experience. Great Plains Zoo, founded in 1963, and the Butterfly House & Aquarium, which opened its doors in 2002, have been integral parts of Sioux Falls for decades. Bringing these two institutions together under the SFZA brand not only honors their legacies but also promises a more powerful and far-reaching impact on both local residents and visitors from across the country.
SFZA’s $25 million “We Can’t Wait” capital campaign aims to expand the zoo and unite these beloved attractions into a unified campus. Uniting these attractions will create a seamless visitor experience and allow for greater collaboration, conservation efforts, and educational opportunities. The campaign’s goal is to ensure that both land and aquatic exhibits can be enjoyed in one location, strengthening the SFZA mission.
The combined SFZA campus will revolutionize how our community interacts with wildlife year-round. The zoo’s busy summer visitation will complement the aquarium’s high winter attendance, creating a reliable, year-round revenue stream ensuring a sustainable future for the organization and making SFZA a family-friendly destination in every season. Families will soon be able to enjoy a warm, tropical butterfly rainforest in the dead of winter or visit the awe-inspiring shark reef aquarium on a sweltering summer day. Additionally, the merger has opened up new opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration among staff, deepening the expertise and reach of SFZA’s educational and conservation programs.
“We can accomplish so much more together,” added SFZA COO Audrey Otto-Pepper. “As one entity, we’re able to create a more seamless guest experience, operate more efficiently, and have a greater impact on the animals in our care and the people in our community.”
A $1.3 million Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Appeals campaign will take place from November 1, 2024-March 31, 2025, to support the creation of a 350,000-gallon shark reef aquarium, an expanded education center, and a butterfly rainforest with a waterfall homage to the Falls of the Big Sioux River, all integrated into the zoo campus. The effort will be led by co-chairs Adam Kniffen, market president at First Bank & Trust, and Laura Mitchell, vice president of marketing at Lawrence & Schiller, Inc. and member of SFZA’s Board of Directors.
“We’re building more than an attraction—we’re building a hub for lifelong learning and engagement,” said Otto-Pepper. The expanded education center will include new classrooms that enables SFZA to meet the growing demand for field trips, camps, and hands-on learning experiences for all ages. “Our educational programming will be able to grow exponentially, and that’s something the community is really excited about.”
The projected economic impact of the project is staggering: an estimated $522 million in overall impact by 2030, with $60 million in annual economic benefits. This includes $36 million in direct spending and $24 million in indirect spending, providing a significant boost to the local economy.
SFZA is also expected to play a key role in workforce recruitment and retention for the region, offering families and businesses an exciting, enriching environment that bolsters Sioux Falls as a place to live and work.
SFZA is seeking support from the business community to help bring this vision to life and the Chamber encourages its members to support this effort when a financial request is made.
The funds will directly support the construction of the new aquarium, butterfly rainforest, and education center, helping to create a state-of-the-art facility that benefits the entire region.
“For businesses that are considering a contribution, I would say this: the We Can’t Wait campaign will benefit all of us,” said Otto-Pepper. “Whether you’re focused on improving your employees’ quality of life, driving tourism to the area, or strengthening the local economy, this project is a win for Sioux Falls.”
A generous $25 million match from Denny Sanford, announced in June, has provided a strong foundation, but continued support is needed to reach the campaign’s overall goal of $25 million.
“We are so grateful to Mr. Sanford for his generous philanthropic support for the transformational development of our beloved zoo,” said Dewitz. “Sioux Falls is a vibrant community that is growing, and the support of donors will ensure our zoo and future aquarium mirrors this vibrancy—while also providing joy for our families and visitors.”
Current projections estimate that annual attendance at SFZA will increase from the combined total of 325,000 visitors today to 455,000 by 2031, further enhancing the economic vitality and visibility of Sioux Falls. “This is not just an investment in our zoo and aquarium—it’s an investment in our city and its future,” said Dewitz.
Community Appeals Campaign for Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium
$1.3 million November 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025