A new Minnesota Senate bill would give Como Zoo and Conservatory $3.5 million for the next two years from the state’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
The money will go toward educational programs, habitat improvements, special exhibits, music program, and historical garden access and preservation, according to bill SF 1152.
The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, receives 19.75% of the sales tax revenue to support arts, arts education and access, and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage, the Minnesota Legacy website said.
Minnesotans voted for the Legacy amendment in 2008, and over $1.2 billion has been added to the fund since then, the website said.
Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten (DFL-St. Paul), the bill’s chief author, said Como Zoo is one of the few places where everyone can go for free and have a good time.
“A lot of times if you’re looking for something to do, it’s, ‘I’ve got to go spend money at this place to get food or get drinks or visit this attraction,’” Oumou Verbeten said. “This is one of the few places that is just free, and that’s huge for giving everyone access to the space.”
Erica Prosser, the director of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, said the zoo is a place for people of all ages to learn about the world around them, and any funds from the Legislature will support it.
“This investment ensures that generations of visitors, whether families, students, or lifelong learners, continue to experience high-quality educational programming, cultural celebrations, and immersive natural exhibits,” Prosser said. “It’s about keeping Como a place where everyone, regardless of background, can explore, learn and grow.”
The zoo does a good job of creating special events for seniors, children and neurodivergent people, Oumou Verbeten said. Money through the Legacy amendment has gone to Como Zoo for a long time, she added.
“(The zoo) partnered with Autism Minnesota to (create) Sensory Friendly Days,” Oumou Verbeten said. “I love the intention of ‘Let’s set aside dedicated time and hours for them to also enjoy the space.’ They want everybody to enjoy Como Zoo.”
If the zoo receives this money, it will go toward pre-existing events like music during the summer months, educational tours and special exhibits like “Glass in Flight” and “Monarchs and Milkweed: A Story of Survival.”
“Funding from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund allows Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to remain a free, accessible and innovative destination for all Minnesotans,” Prosser said. “These funds directly support the programs, exhibits and experiences that inspire curiosity, foster a love for nature and connect our community to the arts, culture and conservation efforts that define Como.”
Consideration of the Como Zoo funding will happen later in the session around April, Oumou Verbeten said. She added that she hopes the Legislature will remember how important places like Como Zoo are when voting on it later.
“We’re so lucky in Minnesota to have that dedicated fund for our arts and culture and just things that I feel like get cut all the time from budgets,” Oumou Verbeten said. “I feel like we don’t do a good enough job of valuing just the arts and creativity and how much that actually does help people learn and feel connected to their community. So I think it’s really important work.”
