Title
Authorizing the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory to accept funding for two employees to attend the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) conference, to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana from September 7-11, 2019.
Body
WHEREAS, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is a partner organization in the Advancing Conservation through Empathy (ACE) for Wildlife Network, and is at the forefront of efforts to foster empathy for animals; and
WHEREAS, the Woodland Park Zoo will host the ACE for Wildlife partner meeting at the AZA conference on September 7th; and
WHEREAS, the Woodland Park Zoo, through an anonymous donor, has offered to reimburse $550 per employee for conference registration as well as $500 per employee to cover other travel costs to attend the AZA conference; and
WHEREAS, attendance at the partner meeting will allow the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory to help define the ACE for Wildlife network structure and discuss possible governance frameworks moving forward; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council accepts the gift of registration and travel expenses for two Como Park Zoo and Conservatory employees to attend the AZA conference and ACE for Wildlife partner meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.