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Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, to accept an invitation from American Public Gardens Association (APGA) Sentinel Plant Network to receive paid airfare, hotel, transportation, and food costs for one participant to attend the Midwest Regional Sentinel Plant Workshop.
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WHEREAS, the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory curates and maintains public park gardens utilizing horticultural and environmental science based best practices; and
WHEREAS, APGA Sentinel Plant Network helps protect plants from serious pests and diseases by select monitoring methods and public education on national pest threats; and
WHEREAS, APGA Sentinel Plant Network supports these activities by providing free professional development opportunities, monitoring tools and education outreach materials and has invited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory to participate with other public gardens arboreta in the Midwest Region training; and
WHEREAS, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s mission is “To inspire our public to value the presence of living things in our lives” and information from the APGA Sentinel Plant Network training will be of value for our public conservation initiatives and plant collections management; and
WHEREAS, APGA Sentinel Plant Network has offered to pay approximately $800 for flight, hotel, transportation, lodging, and food costs for one staff member to attend the two-day workshop in Clermont, Kentucky; and
WHEREAS, participation in the APGA Sentinel Plant Network Training will be a valuable learning opportunity for staff; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby accepts the donation for a staff member of the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory to attend the workshop and thanks APGA Sentinel Plant Network for its generous gift.