Minnesota Zoo Donor Wall
LOCATION ◦ APPLE VALLEY MN
YEAR ◦ 2024
Honoring Trailblazers with Custom Metalwork
As part of the Minnesota Zoo’s landmark Treetop Trail project, Evergreen Creative was brought in to fabricate a durable, visually engaging donor recognition wall to celebrate the individuals and organizations who helped bring the project to life.
Our team fabricated the wall’s structural backing panels using weathering steel, intentionally selected to oxidize naturally over time and develop a rich rust patina. This industrial, organic finish complements the natural wood cladding of the visitor center and reinforces the trail’s mission: connecting people to the natural world.
Precision Installation, Seamless Integration
While the individual donor leaves were fabricated by another partner, Evergreen Creative received and installed each one onto the wall in a precisely coordinated layout. Each leaf was mounted flush to the steel panel face, ensuring durability and legibility across seasons and weather conditions.
The result is a layered, nature-inspired art piece that blends environmental storytelling with donor recognition, anchoring the visitor center with meaning, texture, and craft.
About the Treetop Trail
Opened in July 2023, the Treetop Trail is a $39 million public–private initiative supported by the State of Minnesota, K.A.H.R. Foundation, and a wide network of institutional and private donors. The trail has received national acclaim, including recognition from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and the American Public Works Association (APWA), and represents the Minnesota Zoo’s renewed commitment to immersive, accessible nature experiences.
