1.1A Senate resolution
1.2recognizing the Minnesota Zoo's 40th birthday.
1.3WHEREAS, the 66th Minnesota Legislature voted to establish the Minnesota Zoological
1.4Board, which opened the Minnesota Zoological Garden on May 22, 1978; and
1.5WHEREAS, the Minnesota Zoological Garden, colloquially known as the Minnesota Zoo,
1.6is a world-class zoo that connects people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife through
1.7internationally renowned conservation and breeding programs; and
1.8WHEREAS, the Minnesota Zoo provides an economic boost to the state economy, with over
1.9$220 million in gross output; supports over 2,000 jobs; and generates $137 million in value-added
1.10impacts; and
1.11WHEREAS, the Minnesota Zoo annually serves over one million visitors who are attracted
1.12to the zoo's 485-acre campus, which provides cutting-edge exhibits housing over 5,300 animals,
1.13engaging education programs, and field research and conservation efforts; and
1.14WHEREAS, the Minnesota Zoo is the state's largest environmental and conservation educator,
1.15educating more than 400,000 participants each year with programs such as its highly popular Zoo
1.16Camp and by hosting field trips for more than 70,000 students from more than 1,000 schools across
1.17the state; and
1.18WHEREAS, the Minnesota Zoo is a respected world leader in conservation, as demonstrated
1.19by its significant achievements in tiger conservation, restoring trumpeter swans and bison, and its
1.20current projects to save prairie butterflies, freshwater mussels, and turtles; and
1.21NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.22celebrates the Minnesota Zoo's 40th birthday and recognizes its contributions to conservation and
1.23the support it receives from its 190,000 members and the state.
2.1BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.2enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.3Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Minnesota Zoo.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Gregory D. ClausenState Senator, District 57