The Westerner for March 11, 2013
Meeting: chair, Rob Dunseith; music, Jerome; grace, Brent
Attendance/Guests: 24 including Tammy Wiebe (guest speaker) and Monica Zeniuk of the Valley Zoo Development Society; Brad Arsenault, guest of Rob Dunseith; Brenda Penner and David Durante, guests of Darrel Ripley
Club Assembly: please attend and participate in planning our club's future; a questionaire should come via email for your input
Gift Cards: see Brian to purchase Safeway or SaveOn or Sobeys; commission to fund our international projects
Interact: President Rob reported a good program and a well run event last Friday
Bert Andrews: Chris advised that Bert suffered complications over his broken bones and has spent 6 weeks on IV medications for a severe infection. Get well soon,Bert
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards: Mike advised that there will be 2 Ryla events this year, aimed at students with different levels of leadership experience - this will be one of the budget changes that will be discussed at the club assembly
50/50: Dan Graham and Brent did not match cards; $94.50 over to next week
Finemaster: Chris got those not wearing their Rotary pins and Rotarians at a table that did not have any guests
Guest Speaker: Duane introduced Tammy Wiebe as Executive Director of Valley Zoo Development Society to talk about the Zoo Rejuvenation Project. The society started in 1988 to raise funds for the Valley Zoo. The current rejuvenation Project has 3 phases - phase 1 has been finished; phase 2 is under construction; phase 3 is in the fund raising situation. Zoos have changed from straight entertainment locales to include environmental aspects for support of animals.
Phase 1 is called Arctic Shores which is a show piece for display of quality, enviromentally friendly exhibits which incorporate environmently friendly lighting and green roofs among other innovations. The water filtration plants are state of the art with the best systems in the world. Arctic Shores is the home of Arctic seals, Arctic foxes and Arctic ground squirrels.
Phase 2 incorporates a new entry plaza with a free zone, education building (summer school programs among other education events), fire pit for winter visits. Eventually there will be a children's zoo and splash park. A central piece will be the Wander - all exhibits will feed off it. It represents the North Saskatchewan River running through all its zones [mountains to plains] and will include a glacial display, salt water marsh {one of the water filtration systems}, beaver and trout ponds. The exhibits are barrier free which gives visitors a better view and is better for the animals. The education components {for children} will include the 4 Winds Plaza. Children can stand in the compass and determine which way the wind is blowing among other educational features. Eventually there will be a weather station.
Phase 3 is called Natures Back Yard. It will replace the Storyland Valley Zoo and the animals have already been removed. It will include areas where the kids can actually play with or care for the animals such as red pandas, meerkats, prairie dogs.
The Edmonton Valley Zoo has been recognized as a super zoological garden by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In 2012, the local zoo won 3 of 4 national awards: professional (animal keeper) of the year; volunteer of the year; Thomas Baines Award for the Arctic Shores facility.
Valley Zoo Development Society plans to continue to raise funds for the Valley Zoo after they complete the original $9 million program and will continue to provide awareness of the zoological facilty. Revamped fund raising programs include an improved animal art program; adopt an animal; and a new model of operations. There are 2 fund raising events planned this year including ZOO FEST on June 22. Others fund raising includes point of sale, builder's program, Leaf A Legacy (steel tree to be installed to display legacy donations in memory of or honouring family members/friends) and a corporate campaign.
Lucy the elephant has been residing in Edmonton for the last 36 years. She is well cared for, her health is good, as far as age is concerned she is on her last set of teeth which is a natural progression, her feet are inspected hourly to make sure there are no sites of potential infection.
Tammy was thanked by Bob Kimmerly (Monica handled the video presentation).