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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1647 |
| Science Comes to Life at Metro Zoo's Dr. Wilde's World |
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| Requester: |
Glenn Ekey |
Organization: |
Zoological Society of Florida |
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| Project Title: |
Science Comes to Life at Metro Zoo's Dr. Wilde's World |
Date Submitted |
1/13/2006 8:37:10 AM |
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| Sponsors: |
Bullard |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| Miami Metro Zoo consistently rated one of America's top ten zoos is located in the southern part of Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is the only zoo in a sub-tropic region of the United States. Greater Miami is one of the largest and fastest growing urban metropolises in the U.S. and one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse. According to the U.S. Census Bureau the Greater Miami Metropolitan area with a population of nearly 4 million (2.2 million in Miami-Dade County), ranks as the nation's 12th largest; it ranked 11th in the country in population increase: Greater Miami is also a major tourist destination attracting more than 10 million visitors from around the country and the world yearly. Nearly half a million visitors enjoy the Zoo annually. It has reached more than 12 million people of all ages since opening at its current location in 1981. Miami Metro Zoo reaches a broad and diverse audience including residents and national and international visitors. Approximately 23% of the Zoo's visitors are from outside Miami-Dade County, according to a 2000 study by Scarborough Multi-Media. |
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| Recipient: |
Zoological Society of Florida |
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Contact: |
Ronald K. Stayton |
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12400 SW 152 Street |
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Contact Phone: |
(305) 255-5551 |
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Miami 33177 |
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Contact email: |
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| Counties: |
Dade |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| The Zoological Society of Florida and Miami Metro Zoo working under a partnership agreement, opened a state of the art $3.5 million, 7.500 square foot Education Center called Dr. Wilde's World in June 2001. it is the Zoo's first indoor air-conditioned facility and serves as an exemplary educational resource for our community. Dr. Wilde's World features permanent and traveling exhibits focusing on wildlife and the environment. The current exhibit, The Wonders of Tropical America highlights the Zoo's conservation education mission through a focus on our world's biodiversity with specific reference to the flora, fauma and cultures of tropical America. Since the heritage of a significant number of Miami-Dade residents in Tropical America. The Wonders of Tropical America brings together the concepts of wildlife conservation and cultural relevance to local audiences. The Wonders of tropical America and previous exhibits were funded through a combination of local government and private dollars from individuals, corporations and foundations. However, although some County funding aided by Zoological Society of Florida funding is committed to future exhibits, the amount is not sufficient. Adequate funding for future exhibits has not been identified. the requested recurring dollars would partially fund needed staff positions to carry out the planning, development and production of future exhibits. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| New exhibits at Dr. Wilde's World are projected to increase Zoo attendance nearly 500,000 yearly. Zoo visitors will be served by the cultural and educational programs provided at Dr. Wilde's World. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$547,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$777,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private |
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Cash Amount |
$ |
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In-kind Amount |
$230,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$547,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
The Miami Metro Zoo exhibits strategic plan and needs assessment. New exhibits are a driving force |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Miami-Dade County Commission |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
11/30/2005 |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
