KeyBank to be Wildlife Center Presenting Sponsor
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is pleased to announce that KeyBank will become the presenting sponsor of the Museum’s new outdoor wildlife center, by providing a $2 million sponsorship. The Center, to be named the “Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden – Presented by KeyBank,” will be the first visitor experience to come to life as part of the Museum’s Centennial expansion and renovation project that will transform the Museum for its 100-year anniversary. The Perkins Center is slated to open late this summer.
“We are honored by the wonderful support and partnership of KeyBank as the Museum works to build for the future of our community,” said Dr. Evalyn Gates, Museum executive director and CEO. “This is an incredible gift coming from one of Cleveland’s great corporate leaders.”
“The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is one of the cultural gems in Cleveland,” said KeyBank Foundation CEO Margot Copeland. “Its programming is critical in helping local residents connect with, understand, and learn about protecting our natural resources. We’re proud to be sponsoring the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden, and look forward to celebrating its grand opening.”
KeyBank, one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a strong supporter of communities across the United States. KeyBank Foundation’s grants support education, workforce development, and neighborhoods, and KeyBank’s charitable sponsorships provide vital support to arts, civic, education, and health and human service groups.
The innovative two-acre outdoor gallery will be a dynamic visitor experience and an enriching home to the Museum’s living collection of native Ohio animals and plants. Visitors will experience up-close animal encounters and explore five Ohio ecosystems of diverse plant life. The native animals showcased in the Perkins Center will come from rehabilitation or rescue centers and are unable to survive in the wild.
Designed by Thinc Design of New York according to standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the new Center will feature state-of-the-art design, natural habitats and innovative animal exhibitions. Thinc is a leading exhibition design firm serving clients in North America and across the globe. Its portfolio includes projects for museums, science centers, aquariums, zoos, attractions, corporations and governments.
“The Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden – Presented by KeyBank demonstrates conservation and sustainability in action,” said Gates. ”We deeply appreciate KeyBank’s recognition of the importance to transform our campus in order to fulfill our mission and deliver on our commitment to science education, research and conservation.”
The new Perkins Center is being constructed on the east side of the Museum’s campus. The former Perkins Center site was located on the west side of the campus where it was a popular visitor destination for more than 40 years.
The Museum’s Centennial project is a bold expansion and renovation plan that will reinvent every part of the Museum’s campus for its 100-year anniversary in 2020. The multiyear project is designed to create powerful and engaging science education experiences that will capitalize on the resources of the world-renowned institution and fulfill its mission of inspiring a passion for science and nature for generations to come.
Read more on Crain's Cleveland Business and Cleveland.com
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