Finnup Center for Conservation Education "In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught." Baba Dioum, African Ecologist The home of the Lee Richardson Zoo's Education Division is the Finnup Center for Conservation Education, located in Finnup Park, at 312 East Finnup Drive (the corner of 5th Street and Finnup Drive). The Finnup Center opened in 1996. The building was made possible by a million dollar gift from the Finnup Foundation Trust. The Finnup Trust and the Finnup family have been a major supporter of the city since 1919 when George Finnup first donated the land for Finnup Park in his father Fredrick's memory. The Finnup Center is a favorite meeting place many businesses and organizations from all across Kansas. In addition Teachers from Western Kansas, Eastern Colorado, and the Panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas bring their students for programs covering topics such as habitats, camouflage, and animal senses. Two classrooms are used primarily for educational programming and staff training. A tiered lecture hall can accommodate groups of up to 100 people, and is connected to our teleconferencing studio. The west wing of the Finnup Center houses the zoo's administrative offices and a library, while the building's hallways offer visiting public and students numerous interactive displays and animal exhibits on topics related to conservation and the environment. The Finnup Center for Conservation Education is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to Noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, except holidays. We can be reached by phone, (620) 276-1250, FAX (620) 276-1259, E-mail zoo@garden-city.org or regular mail, 312 E. Finnup Drive, Garden City, Kansas 67846.