Access and Outreach
As Minnesota’s state Zoo, we are committed to ensuring that our programs are accessible to all our citizens – regardless of age, geographic location, disability or background. “Zoo Unlimited” is our community outreach and access initiative that unites a wide range of programs and policies designed to ensure every Minnesotan has unlimited opportunities to form stronger connections with the natural world. Legacy funds help us implement this program and bridge barriers that keep people from connecting with all the Zoo has to offer. This project includes:
- Access services
- Lifelong learning
- Zoomobile
- 40th Year Program
Access Services
The Zoo is committed to ensuring that economic circumstances are not obstacles to experiencing the Minnesota Zoo. With Legacy support the Zoo has a Community Relations Coordinator to manage Free to Explore, all aspects of ADA compliance and other programs related to accessibility of the Zoo.
Lifelong Learning
The Minnesota Zoo is not just for children! Legacy funding supports a number of programs aimed at supporting and expanding Zoo programs for adults. This program includes the Our World Speaker Series, designed to engage guests in conservation issues. These lectures are offered free of charge to all attendees, ensuring access for all interested guests.
We also offer a number of adult education programs that focus on special interests such as Zoo horticulture and wildlife photography. These programs serve a range of adult audiences including seniors, corporate groups and young adults.
40th Birthday Celebration
The Minnesota Zoo has been a cultural cornerstone of this state since it opened in 1978. The Zoo brought special events and activities to the Zoo and throughout Minnesota to thank guests and commemorate 40 years as the state’s largest environmental learning center and the home of critical world-wide wildlife conservation efforts.
Expanded Zoomobile
Geography can be a barrier to accessing high quality environmental education programs. The Zoomobile program exists to serve people who cannot visit the Minnesota Zoo by bringing the Zoo to them, regardless of where they live in Minnesota. Trained interpretive naturalists travel with animals to all corners of the state and deliver programs at schools, libraries, community centers, children’s hospitals, senior centers and more. Zoomobile participants experience live animals up close and learn about the ecological principles that connect all living things to one another. Legacy funding makes it possible to expand the service and reach of Zoomobile by sending more staff and more animals throughout the state.
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Subd. 7. Minnesota Zoo |
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1,550,000 |
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1,950,000 |
These amounts are appropriated to the Minnesota Zoological Board for programs and development of the Minnesota Zoological Garden and to provide access and education related to programs on the cultural heritage of Minnesota.
- OWSS: Six programs are scheduled during the fiscal year; approximately 150 guests registered for each with 75 percent attendance.
- ZooUnlimited: Board Task Force is formed and brand, content, and collaterals for program are developed.
- Free to Explore: Approximately 100,000 Minnesota residents with low income utilize the free admission program; 90 percent of counties in the State are represented.
- Accessibility: Community advisory group is formed and makes recommendations for program additions and changes. Positive feedback is received from guests who request accommodations. Autism application is launched and positive feedback is received from guests who utilize it.
- 89,314 guests visited the Zoo for free through Free to Explore.
- Production of Zoo site maps for visitors in ten languages (in addition to English).
- Five guest lectures held with approximately 416 attendees.
- A sixth lecture was scheduled, but had to be cancelled due to a scheduling issue.
- Nine classes, camps and programs held for over 100 adult participants.
- Guests were able to view artistic signage featuring scenes and fun facts from 40 years of the Minnesota Zoo.
- The Minnesota Zoo brought the birthday celebration, including animals, to three malls across Minnesota.
- 51,529 Minnesotans experienced a Zoomobile program.
- Zoomobile visited 42 Minnesota counties.
- Zoomobile delivered 673 hours of programming.
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Subd. 7. Minnesota Zoo |
|
1,550,000 |
|
1,950,000 |
These amounts are appropriated to the Minnesota Zoological Board for programs and development of the Minnesota Zoological Garden and to provide access and education related to programs on the cultural heritage of Minnesota.
Zoomobile
- Total number of program hours.
- Total number of people served.
- Number of counties visited
Adult Education and Programming
- Create and staff 9 Adult Night Out events
- Meet or exceed attendance and revenue goals of an average of 1,000 guests per event, with at least 30% from non-member guests
- OWSS: Six programs are scheduled during the fiscal year; approximately 150 guests registered for each with 75 percent attendance.
Accessibility and Inclusion
- Zoo Access Program: Approximately 120,000 Minnesota residents with low income utilize the free admission program; 90 percent of counties in the State are represented.
- Accessibility Guide: Guide is created with useful and necessary information; it is easily accessible for guests; positive feedback is received.
- ADA Review and Plan: Review is completed and plan for compliance is prepared; FY 18 budget requests prepared for easiest obtainable corrections.
- World Language Maps: Maps are available for Zoo visitors in a variety of languages upon request.
- More than 82,700 guests visited the Zoo for free through Free to Explore.
- Production of Zoo site maps for visitors in 10 languages (in addition to English).
- 19,164 adults came to the Zoo over 9 Adults’ Night Out events.
- Six guest lectures held with approximately 641 attendees.
- 32 classes, camps and programs held for 297 adult participants.
- 48,700 Minnesotans in 41 Minnesota counties visited by the Zoomobile.