Como Friends

See Washed Ashore Starting May 18 | @comozooconservatory Before it goes out with the tide, come to Como to experience the powerful art exhibit @washedashoreart , here for the summer months. This limited-time traveling exhibit features super-sized sculptures of animals and sea life, all made out of debris collected from ocean beaches to call attention to the problem of plastic pollution. https://bit.ly/48PWykN

Celebrate a Minnesota Tradition with a Gift to Como Friends Spring may be @comozooconservatory 's most magical season. Once the bulbs begin to stir, the sea lions bark a little louder, and field trip buses from around the region begin their seasonal procession, introducing the next generation of Minnesota kids to the life-giving connections between animals, plants, and people. Thanks to contributions from people like you, these experiences are still free, every day, for everyone at Minnesota’s most visited cultural institution. Help the next generation of Como visitors make even more great memories with a gift to Como Friends today. Thank you! https://bit.ly/4niwKnl #community #comozooconservatory #visitsaintpaul #mymn

ComoTown MN Set to Open May 16 From the dizzying Tilt-A-Whirl to the ups and downs of the new Red Baron rotating planes, a trip to Como Town is on every Minnesota family’s summer bucket list. If you’re a Como Friends Supporter-level member, don’t forget to pack your free 40-point Fun Card for your pick of great rides and immersive experiences at St. Paul’s family-friendly amusement park. https://bit.ly/4d67YlK Thank you to our partners at Como Town for providing Fun Cards for members at the Como Friends Supporter level!

Sparky’s Biggest Fan For @blazecreditunion CEO Dan Stoltz, supporting @comozooconservatory is all about making Minnesotans’ lives better. Find out more about how Como Friends’ sponsorships make more possible at Minnesota’s most visited cultural destination. https://bit.ly/42YBvJi #sparkythesealion #sparkyshow #blaze #visitsaintpaul #mymn

Tickets Available Now for Sunset Affair: The Magic of Como Thursday, July 16 | 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM For more than a century, @comozooconservatory has been a magical, memory-making destination that invites visitors to appreciate the miracle of life on earth. Experience it all at Sunset Affair, Como Friends’ immersive summer gala, coming Thursday, July 16. Stroll through gorgeous public gardens buzzing with life, say hello to crowd-favorite polar bears Kulu and Astra, and learn the secrets of caregiving from our dedicated zookeepers and horticulturists. With great food and drink, fascinating encounters with Como’s experts and educators, and wild and whimsical auction items curated especially for nature lovers like you, your generous support of Como Friends’ Sunset Affair keeps the magic alive for Como’s next generation. Join us! https://bit.ly/3P6Lg56 Community support is what makes Como so magical. Through a generous gift from the Manitou Fund, every Fund-A-Mission contribution to Sunset Affair will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, doubling your impact and doing even more for Como. Thank you for your generous support! https://bit.ly/4nlIvts #SunsetAffair #events #comozooconservatory #visitsaintpaul #mymn

Flower Forward Experience part two of the the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Spring Flower Show, now through June 7. Did you know that May 8 marks the start of Go Public Gardens Week? Celebrate by exploring one of the many beautiful gardens at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, including the beloved Sunken Garden. Following the elegant and literary Persephone show, the Sunken Garden has undergone another transformation this season and is bursting forth with colorful spring bulbs and blooms. We talked with horticultural designer Bo Akinkuotu about some unusual new flowers to look for in part two of @comozooconservatory 's beloved Spring Flower Show. See More: https://bit.ly/4wgbDpL #GoPublicGardens #ComoZooConservatory #VisitSaintPaul #MyMN

Seeing the Beauty in Bonsai Mother’s Day Bonsai Show, May 9 and 10 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM It takes years of training and exceptional patience to bring the beautiful bonsai on display at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s Mother’s Day Bonsai Show into balance. We talked to @comozooconservatory 's resident bonsai expert Reva Kos about the keen eye horticulturists use to make these miniature potted trees so magical. A family tradition for generations, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s Mother’s Day Bonsai Show runs May 9 and 10 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Free to the public, the two-day show also features prized plants from members of the @mbsbonsai . https://bit.ly/4tSN1Sx #bonsai #mothersday #comozooconservatory #mmc #mymn #visitsaintpaul

To our small but mighty team of educators at @comozooconservatory —this Teacher Appreciation Week and every day. Thank you for bringing our mission to the forefront of everything you do. Through every conversation, program, outreach visit, and hands-on experience, you help connect our community to the natural world in ways that are meaningful, lasting, and deeply personal. From inspiring curiosity through 2nd and 4th Grade Plant Detectives and conservation programming, to traveling across Minnesota for residency outreach programs, to welcoming our littlest learners at Little Explorers right here at Como—you create spaces where wonder, learning, and connection thrive. https://bit.ly/3QUDBHz Tim, Brigid, Anne, Ashley, Leah, Erin, Beth, Madeline, Katie, Maddie, Bekah, and Chloe lead with heart, compassion, and an incredible depth of knowledge about the world around us. You meet young minds and older ones alike with warmth and enthusiasm, helping guests not only learn about nature and wildlife, but feel invested in protecting it. The impact of your work reaches far beyond a single program or visit. Every day, you help people see the beauty, importance, and interconnectedness of the nature that surrounds them—and that is something truly special. Thank you for all that you give to this community and to our mission.

Mother’s Day at the Como Friends Gift Shop, Open Daily from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Celebrate all the huggers, cheerleaders, sidekicks, superfans, and nurturers who make your life a little sweeter this Mother’s Day at the Como Friends Gift Shop. North Star State gifts are trending this season, from clever Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox tea towels and charming loon artwork by Cindy Lindgren, to Saintly MN sweatshirts for showing off your St. Paul neighborhood pride. From bracelets inspired by the aurora borealis, to loon caps, to artisan candies made here in Minnesota, the Como Friends Gift Shop has curated a great selection of Mother’s Day gifts that are thoughtful, local, and full of heart. Como Friends members enjoy 15 percent off every purchase, supporting the gardens and animals you love at @comozooconservatory . https://bit.ly/3O8M8Wu

Happy 3rd birthday to Willow at @comozooconservatory ! Snow leopards are adapted for life in steep, high-altitude terrain, using powerful hind legs for leaping, wide fur-covered paws for traction, and long tails for balance. Como Zoo’s Willow, born with a congenital ocular condition that left her blind, moves through her habitat using sound, scent, and memory instead of sight, and some helpful cues from mom Alya. With the thoughtful habitat adaptations from her keepers, Hans and Caitlin, and a well-earned catsicle treat, she has turned every obstacle into something climbable. Her confidence, curiosity, and resilience are a helpful reminder that there’s more than one way to navigate the world. When you sponsor an animal, you’re helping to support the innovative training, enrichment and veterinary care that keeps all of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory’s animals healthy and curious. https://bit.ly/4rWXiMB #comozooconservatory #snowleopard #mymn #birthday #visitsaintpaul

Happy 14th Birthday to Kash! Did you know harbor seals are often called the dogs of the sea? Just like your favorite dog, Kash is intelligent, sociable, and loves enrichment activities that keep his mind sharp. Whether he’s swimming around or showing off during the @blazecreditunion Sparky Show, there’s never a dull moment! When you sponsor an animal, you’re helping to support the innovative training, enrichment and veterinary care that keeps all of @comozooconservatory 's animals healthy and curious. Your support also allows for progressive new habitats like Como Harbor and specialized equipment to care for animals of all species and sizes. https://bit.ly/4rWXiMB #birthday #harborseal #dogsofthesea #visitsaintpaul #mymn #comozooconservatory

Summer is yet to unfold, but with May arriving there is a little more time to explore Como. Starting Friday, May 1, @comozooconservatory will be open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM—inviting you to linger a bit longer among blooming gardens and familiar animal friends. The @cafesjianscarousel returns for the season, spinning gently into warmer days. It operates five days a week from May 1 through Labor Day, and weekends through October, weather permitting. The carousel rests when temperatures dip below 45° or climb above 95°. Before you go, wander through the Como Friends Gift Shop for a small reminder of your visit—knowing that your purchase supports the plants and animals we all love at Como! Your support keeps Como free and accessible to all 365 days a year. Thank you! https://bit.ly/3OepWdk #springtosummer #visitcomo #comozooconservatory #visitsaintpaul #mymn