Area seventh-grader breaks ground at zoo on Owatonna

Jack Livingston, of Owatonna, addresses the crowd at the groundbreaking of the “Heart of the Zoo” project on Monday in Apple Valley, as Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other state officials look on.

By MELISSA KAELIN

mkaelin@owatonna.com

OWATONNA — When officials broke ground on the “Heart of the Zoo” project at the Minnesota Zoo, they had the help of one handy Owatonna native.

Jack Livingston, 13, was invited to speak at the event alongside Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Having just finished the seventh grade at Owatonna Junior High School, Livingston has been active in the programs offered at the Minnesota Zoo since he was in the third or fourth grade. On Monday, he used that experience to add pizzazz to a presentation of state-wide significance.

The “Heart of the Zoo” is a multiple phase project that will facilitate the building of a new Target Learning Center, the Cargill Environmental Education Center and a special exhibit featuring penguins of the African Coast. Coming in at $20 million — with $15 million allocated by the Legislature and $5 million secured from corporate and individual gifts — the first phase is expected to be completed in the summer of 2011.

Pawlenty said he was proud of the work the Minnesota Zoo has done in recent years, calling the attraction “a world-class zoo.” He said Minnesota’s is one of the most innovative zoos in the country and the “Heart of the Zoo” project will take the zoo to the next level.

For his part, Jack said probably the coolest part of the groundbreaking was when he stood next to the governor. As a dedicated volunteer and an avid participant in the educational programs, Jack was one of two Minnesota students who had the opportunity to speak, alongside Meghan Anderson.

Referring to the zoo as his “home away from home” Jack shared how the zoo has changed how he sees the world today.

“It is truly an amazing experience to visit the zoo and participate in the education programs here. Being in educational programs at the Minnesota Zoo makes me feel like I am making an impact,” Jack said during the program.

He also thanked Gov. Pawlenty for supporting the zoo and director Lee Ehmke for his leadership to allow the zoo to keep moving forward.

Not only has Jack participated in the Wildlife Conservation Club and the educational program “Zoo Crew Jr.,” but he also collected native prairie seeds for a prairie restoration project at Wild River State Park in the fall.

Jack said most of his volunteer work is done through his involvement in the educational programs, but he has taken on a number of projects over his time spent at the zoo. He has done everything from tracking animals in state parks in order to calculate wildlife populations, to cleaning pens at the zoo for Asian wild horses. He said he loves to contribute to the zoo in these ways, and he hopes to continue to contribute for years to come.

“It’s always changing and it’s a good way for people to learn about wildlife,” said Jack. “Hopefully they get motivated to help the environment.”

Melissa Kaelin can be reached at 444-2372.

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