The Santa Barbara Zoo, on Tuesday, June 23, will reopen its newly redesigned Conservation Hub, an interactive learning space, turning the hub’s focus to ocean conservation.

Previously featuring the island fox and California condor, the refreshed space will spotlight the snowy plover and southern sea otter through immersive activities, including an interactive water table, simulated nests and eggs, incubators, animal diet exploration, and opportunities to engage with real conservation stories, the zoo said.

The hub was developed by the zoo’s Education, Conservation & Science teams to help guests explore how wildlife conservation happens in practice through hands-on, experiential experiences.

Originally opened in 2024, the Richard Block Conservation Hub highlights species the zoo is actively helping protect.

The redesigned space was made possible through a grant from Cox Conserve. The hub “creates opportunities for guests to connect with conservation through engaging, place-based learning,” organizers said.

“Located on the hilltop inside the zoo, the Conservation Hub reflects the zoo’s broader conservation efforts supporting species recovery and protection across California, including the California red-legged frog, snowy plover, island fox, western monarch, California condor, and southern sea otter,” zoo spokespersons said.