On Monday, April 6, University of Minnesota Bell Museum of Natural History education specialists Katie Speckman (in bumble bee outfit) and Erin Rupp (in beekeeper's gear) traveled to the Minnesota State Capitol to present thank you cards to Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Senator Larry Pogemiller from school children in their districts on behalf of their work on the Bell Musuem's bonding request. Katie and Erin are teachers in the Bell Museum's outreach programs which include the popular "Invertebrates in the Classroom" in-class residency.
Photo courtesy of Tom Oldsheid.
Bell Museum Director Susan Weller and advocates donned moose antlers in support of the museum's bonding request at Tuesday, April 14th's Capital Investment Committee meeting at Minnesota's State Office Building. Photo courtesy of Tom Oldscheid. |
FACTS ABOUT THE NEW BELL MUSEUM
"The Bell Museum has always helped us to understand the beauty and complexity of our relationships and interactions with the natural world. It will always continue to serve
us in this way. It is the state's natural history museum, and on the St. Paul campus it will serve our University, our community, and our state as a dynamic gateway to our natural
environments and habitats. Art, science, education, and innovation will combine to enrich, educate, and ultimately inspire future generations at a new Bell Museum."
—University of Minnesota President Robert H. Bruininks
WHY IS THE BELL MUSEUM IMPORTANT TO MINNESOTA?
- The museum is home to the state's collections of plant and animal life and a source of information about nature locally, regionally, and globally.
- The Bell Museum is the state's natural history museum, created by an 1872 act of the legislature and located on the University of Minnesota campus.
- The museum serves all 87 Minnesota counties through public programs, community outreach, and collections.
- The museum exhibits the diverse natural life of our state and region.
- The museum teaches undergraduate and graduate students.
- Bell Museum faculty conduct cutting-edge environmental research.
- The museum provides K-12 education programs and resources for teachers based on Minnesota's graduation standards.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT?
- To serve more visitors in a modern, flexible, and sustainable museum building.
- To join the museum with its collections, teaching, research, and faculty on the St. Paul campus.
- To partner with university units conducting cutting edge environmental research.
- To create awareness of key environmental issues of importance to Minnesotans.
- To add outdoor teaching environments.
- To draw public attention to the University's environmental leadership, including the Institute on the Environment.
- To promote environmental sustainability by conserving resources and exhibiting the principles of sustainability.
WHAT WILL THE PROJECT COST?
- The total project cost is $39.5 million.
- $13.2 million is anticipated from private donations and federal appropriations, with $10.2 million already committed.
- $26.3 million in bonding is being requested from the Legislature.
On Tuesday, March 31, students from Minneapolis's Ramsey International
Fine Arts Elementary School traveled to Governor Tim Pawlenty's office at
the Minnesota State Capitol to present letters from seven elementary
schools in support of the museum's new building request. Photo courtesy of Tom Oldscheid.
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