Dane County  
Minutes - Final Unless Amended by  
Committee  
Henry Vilas Zoo Commission  
Consider:  
Who benefits? Who is burdened?  
Who does not have a voice at the table?  
How can policymakers mitigate unintended consequences?  
Tuesday, March 11, 2025  
8:00 AM  
A. Call To Order  
Others present: Ronda Schwetz, Joseph Darcangelo, Jess Thompson, Courtney  
Cordova, Kristin Moala, Amanda Pedersen, Eric Urtes, Jeff Sawyer, and Nicolet Wojtak.  
A motion was made that the Zoo Commission meeting be called to order at  
8:05am..  
5 -  
Present  
TAG EVERS, MICHAEL PETERSEN, ANNE ROSS, JASMINE BANKS, and ERIN  
WELSH  
2 - JEFFREY GUNDERSON, and SARAH JUSTUS  
Excused  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
2024  
MIN-512  
Attachments: 2024 MIN-512  
A motion was made by Evers, seconded by Petersen that the Minutes be  
approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
C. Action Items  
ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH  
CONSERVATION ACTION AND STORYTELLING IN A MODULAR EXHIBIT  
SPACE AT HENRY VILAS ZOO  
2. 2024  
RES-351  
WELSH and ENGELBERGER  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: 2024 RES-351  
2024 RES-351 Fiscal Note  
A motion was made by PETERSEN, seconded by EVERS that the Resolution  
Requiring 2/3rds Vote be recommended for approval. The motion carried by a  
voice vote.  
D. Presentations  
2024  
PRES-195  
Attachments: 2024 PRES-195  
E. Reports to Committee  
Conservation Education Grant  
Resolution 351 “Acceptance of a Grant Community Engagement Through Conservation  
Action and Storytelling in a Modular Exhibit Space at Henry Vilas Zoo”. The $300,000  
grant (distributed in three installments) is for a 2-1/2 year project and is from Woodland  
Park Zoo. The grant “will be used to support the development and implementation of  
empathy-driven conservation at the Henry Vilas Zoo”.  
CLR Presentation  
Edge of Africa-Giraffe exhibit will go where current rhino exhibit is and will be about half  
an acre in size, which is double the previous giraffe exhibit. The goal of this project is to  
bring back a herd of approximately three to five giraffes. Space can potentially offer a  
unique setting to host small events. Currently at the end of Phase 3.  
Reports to Committee  
-S/B was selected from recent RFP to provide marketing for zoo lights and other events  
with a focus on increasing revenue. Contract should be ready in about two weeks.  
-Zoo Light RFP should be ready soon.  
-Older meerkat pups have been sent to other zoos which leaves HVZ with a mob of 7.  
Should be getting in new birds for the aviary in spring.  
-Zoo Commission will provide an update to public works and transportation committee at  
their next meeting.  
-Lion dental procedure this week. UW students will be present and have the opportunity  
to learn.  
F. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
The next meeting will take place April 8, 2025 at 8:00AM.  
G. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
None  
H. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
None  
I. Adjourn  
A motion was made by EVERS, seconded by WELSH, that the Zoo Commission  
meeting be adjourned at 9:25am. The motion carried unanimously.  
Respectfully submitted by Amanda Pedersen, pending approval from the Zoo Commission.