Minnesota Zoo

Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Fund

In 2008, Minnesota's voters passed the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment (Legacy Amendment) to the Minnesota Constitution to: protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, moose rivers, streams, and groundwater.

State agencies, local governmental units, non-profit organizations, and others can apply to receive Legacy Funds for projects that support the intentions of the Legacy Amendment. Ultimately, the State Legislature decides how and where these funds should be spent.

Thanks to support from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund created by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, the Minnesota Zoo is expanding its programming in a number of areas as it strives to be a world-leading zoo and solidify its place among Minnesota’s premiere cultural institutions.

Conservation in Minnesota: The Zoo is participating in critical conservation programs, conducting research needed to combat the decline of the State’s most iconic animal—the moose. It is also leading a research and breeding project for endangered native butterflies that once thrived in Minnesota’s prairies.

Conservation Education in Minnesota: Using state-of-the-art technology in combination with handson experiences available nowhere else, the Zoo is bringing science to remote Minnesota locations and creating “close encounters” for guests with animals (and their keepers) on-site—strengthening Minnesota’s longstanding cultural commitment to wildlife and nature through education.

Zoo Site Habitat Improvements: Legacy funding is helping the Zoo restore important pieces of its 485-acre site to native prairie and woodlands, improving habitat while enhancing the experience of visiting the Zoo.

Minnesota’s Farming Heritage: With many Minnesota families increasingly disconnected from the State’s farming heritage, Legacy funding is allowing the Zoo to extend the Wells Fargo Family Farm season and host a variety of special events and activities.