The St. Louis Zoo has received a $1.5 million gift from the Saigh Foundation that will, in essence, create an endowed chair for the Zoo’s education department.
That department is headed by Louise Bradshaw, who will become the first Fred Saigh Director of Education.
In an interview with St. Louis Public Radio, she said this provides a lot of security for the zoo’s wide-ranging educational programs.
“We’re able to reach over 1.7 million guests with the Zoo’s conservation education messages,” she said.
But the educational efforts extend far beyond what visitors see. The teams reach out, even internationally over the internet. “We also do a lot with science technology engineering and math education working with schools and teachers,” Bradshaw said.
Of special importance, she said, was teaching the value of every animal and how the environment and the welfare of animals are connected.
The Saigh Foundation was started by Fred Saigh, a businessman and former owner of the St. Louis Cardinals. Mr. Saigh died in 1999.
