| Author | Message | ||
     Richard Kik IV |
I have been seeing in a few cases a misrepresentation of the Nature zoo so please let me clarify some points. 1. The Nature Zoo will not be built on the very special wetland forest on Belle Isle. Every effort is being made to avoid any damage. Extensive plans to control the highly invasive phragmites infestation is also being planned. We are trying very hard actually to protect and restore, not destroy, the very significant forest and ecosystems on Belle Isle. 2. The Nature Zoo is actually operating on a Limited basis to schools and community groups. In fact we will be open to the public for the annual Shiver on the River, Feb. 5th. And invite you to drop by. Over the summer we hosted the Detroit Public Schools camp as well as the Detroit Academy of Environmental Science among others. We are currently operating as an educational resource to both the schools and community. Sorry but it does rubs me the wrong way when I read misrepresentations of the Nature Zoo as a shuttered building and as a detriment to Belle Isle and the City of Detroit. This facility is a positive thing for the Island, the Environment and the Community. We need more than ever your support of this facility and its Educational value of Bringing Michigan's Environmental wonders and issues to the Heart of Detroit. (The above comments are my own as a concerned citizen of the City of Detroit, it is not an official statement by the Zoological Institute on the Nature Zoo and should not be taken as such) Richard Kik IV Naturalist, Belle Isle | ||
| Anonymous |
For those who are interested, I know that the Junior League of Detroit is putting on a Fundraiser for the Belle Isle Nature Zoo on April 30th. It is a 5K Run/Walk and everyone is encouraged to attend. Check out the Junior League of Detroit's website for more info. | ||
| MARTY C. |
WE SHOULD PASS OUT FLYERS CALLING FOR THE REOPENING OF THE AQUARIUM AT THIS EVENT AND ADVERTISING ANY ACTIVITY WE MAY HAVE PLANNED IN THE FUTURE. THOSE WHO ARE SO INCLINED SHOULD RUN/WALK WEARING A SAVE/REOPEN THE AQUARIUM SHIRT. THESE ARE GENERALLY LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE AND THE NATURE ZOO AND AQUARIUM SHOULD BE ALLIED PARTNERS. AT LEAST, IF, AS MR. KID STATES OR IMPLIES, THE BINZ WILL NOT DEVOUR THE BEAUTIFUL WOODS AND NATURE TRAILS FOUND THERE DURING THE BINATURE CENTER DAYS. | ||
| Anonymous |
It would be best to support the Nature zoo and avoid mixing it in with the fight to re-open the aquarium. Having a FOBIA presence would not be bad, However it should not be a distraction from this event as a fundraiser specifically for the Nature Zoo. The bottom line is we need both facilities open and thriving on the island. | ||
| Suzan Campbell |
Judging by the Mayor's proposed budget, the Belle Isle Nature Zoo needs all of the support it can get, or the Detroit Zoological Institute will be abandoning a third facility on Belle Isle before this is all over. I suspect that the bulk of the participants will be Junior League members, their families and friends - they are great at generating a big turnout. I think it would be great if FOBIA could help the Junior League understand that: All of the cultural facilities benefit tremendously from each other's presence The closings of the Zoo and Aquarium have already had a deleterious impact on the remaining facilities and DZI seems to be responsible for more than its fair share of blight and abandonment on the island (but don't push this one too far) Keep in mind that the Junior League will be choosing another special project for next year - the Aquarium would actually be an awesome cause for them....... |
