| Posted by Michael Kraines |
JOHN FAWLEY: VISION FOR THE NEW MINNESOTA ZOOJohn Fawley has been the Director of the MN Zoo since February of 2016. After 20 years in the San Francisco Bay area John, a native of Minnesota, is excited to be back in Minnesota and with the MN Zoo where he started his career. The MN Zoo open in 1978. Today there are over 1.3 million visitors per year. The zoo is open 363 days per year. It is the 5th largest zoo in the nation, has about 500 acres of land of which only about 1/3 has been developed. Over 500 species of animals reside at the zoo and there is over 1 million gallons of water in aquariums. |
Three Big Projects
1. Wells Fargo Family Farm refresh with new entrance, increase in milking capacity, and focus to teach kids about family farms—activities of farming and that milk and eggs do not originate at Cub.
2. Increase access for low income people making the zoo available to every Minnesotan. 3. Nature Destination Playground: New vision is to make the Zoo a place for people of all ages and with: - Cabins and tent camping
- 10 miles of trails
- Zip line
- Repurpose monorail to an elevated walking path (1.8 miles)
- Rock climbing
- Expand partnerships by capturing the features of the new nature destination
2017 Summer exhibit: Australia: Kangaroos and wallabies. Funding: 1/3 state money, the remainder a combination of fees and fundraising. MN Zoo is a 501c3 nonprofit. Announcements - Park Clean Up –April 22nd –we have 9 people signed up so far.
- Above and Beyond dinner April 25th
- Vino Classico will be held Saturday October 7th
- Jeanne Zetah celebrates her 11th Anniversary with Rotary.
- New Generation Exchange student Ms. Hye Rim Choi will be coming this summer. Please consider being a host. Contact Jeanne Zetah at 952.937.0411 or Dennis Kim at 612.961.6878 for more information.
Spotlight on Greg Olson  Greg grew up in Hopkins, attended Benilde St. Margaret’s, and then the University of Minnesota for both undergraduate and graduate school. He spent approximately 25 years in finance and banking but today is enjoying a career in commercial real estate. He married in ’84, has two girls and one boy that went through Eden Prairie schools. Greg was asked to consider Rotary at the request of Frank Sherwood. A belief in the need to promote compassion and understanding in the world is a driver in Greg’s desire to work together with fellow Rotarians. Happy Fines - Brad Aho – Eden Prairie Pancake Breakfast 4/23
- Roger Jorgensen—Last night’s snow was for the snowbirds, and Rick Getschow for fixing his lawn that was damaged by a snowplow this past winter.
- Dennis Kim—Hosting exchange students from Korea past and future, and Dave Lindahl with City of Eden Prairie conducting site visit of business community.
- John Estall—Rise with the Guys with Tony Dungy and other sport celebrities
- Jay Simpson—Rise with the Guys—Great message for all ages and those pursuing sports.
- Elaine Larabee—Snow on the robins three times before spring is truly here.
- Carol Bomben—PROP Shop 10 th anniversary open house on 4/24
- Bev Aho—EP Gives 4/29 Event at the Oak Ridge Conference Center in Chaska
- Rob Hiller—Son speaking at Lakeville Rotary on topic of opiate abuse, also wants to be a Rotarian—4th generation of Hiller Rotarians!
Visitors Jeff Ohe- Assistant Area Governor Ale Pena Gonzalez - Exchange Student Carter Mason and Stella Lindbergh- Student Interns |
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alez will share about her personal experience of coming to Eden Prairie from Paraguay. We will hear about the fun things she has done in Minnesota, how school has been for her in the Eden Prairie system, and other highlights of her stay here.
