Iowa Rainforest project

icejammer · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 1140 Location: Council Bluffs

Some of you may have seen the article in today's OWH, how Sen. Grassley is (finally) putting some conditions on his pork-barrel, I mean, worthwhile $50 million grant towards that project. What the OWH failed to mention is that Grassley has also opened up the constraints of the grant to allow this to be built anywhere in Iowa. What say you all about the Omaha metro being able to support such a project, even with the Henry Doorly Zoo already here?

Grassley puts limits on rainforest spending

Finn · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 1188 Location: DC

I say come up with your own idea, Iowa! Des Moines businessman Ted Townsend did not conceive the idea, he stole it from Omaha. The world's largest indoor rainforest is already in the Midwest. Come up with something original or we both may suffer!

MrTwister · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 50

The Iowa Rainforest project and the Rainforest exhibit are two different but similar projects Finn. The Iowa Rainforest was not meant to be a zoo exhibit, it was meant to be a working classroom for kids, college students, and professionals, based upon a similar project built outside London, England.

That being said, it is a far too ambitious idea for Iowa and most certainly doomed to financial failure like the Denver aquarium.

I look for the $50 million to eventually be used in the expansion of the Des Moines zoo. And no, we're not ever going to compete with Omaha in that regards (unless we get a billionaire backer too.), but I do think Des Moines can a will support a mid-sized zoo and aquarium.

loyalomahan · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 373

State quarter theme, rainforest, pandas, etc, etc

Iowa is always compelled to copy/steal from Nebraska. What gives? We don't have much here, why can't they just come up with their own original stuff, we'll even subsidize it by gambling in their casinos.

Finn · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 1188 Location: DC

Linkin5 · Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Posts: 403 Location: Lincoln, NE

agreed Finn.

NovakOmaha · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 232

MrTwister · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 50

Well.....why don't you guys come up with your own ideas. New York had a zoo long before you, and so did San Diego. How about your arena downtown. We announced our plans to build one long before yours (ours was held up in court for several years, hence your earlier completion date). How about your park downtwon. New York has one...so does Boston....quit stealing thier ideas.

Man you guys are touchy.

Swift · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:15 pm Post subject:

Well, considering parks, arenas and zoos have been around for centuries...

What's next for Iowa, a huge desert dome with an nocturnal exhibit below it?

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CountOfMC · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:16 pm Post subject:

^Haha. That is NOT a good analogy. C'mon now. I think it's your attitude towards Omaha that's touchy!
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Ingersoll1978 · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 374 Location: Des Moines

http://www.iowachild.org/

Look at the website and you will see its much more than an indoor rainforest with animals in it. They didn't even add animals to the project until much later. This project has nothing to do with the zoo in Omaha. It's about educating Iowans (and the world---yes---even Nebraskans) about the environment. It's on a much grander scale that is comparable to the Eden Project in England. Hopefully they get this thing built.

Here are some facts from their website:

The Environmental Project provides an unparalleled opportunity for experiencing and learning about the intricacies and wonders of nature. By using a number of natural environments, including an indoor rain forest, an integrated aquarium, and bridging to exterior indigenous ecosystems, the Environmental Project will help people of all ages understand how life works on earth and how we can lead truly sustainable lifestyles in harmony with all of nature.

Through utilization of cutting edge “green design” and environmentally focused energy systems, the Project will serve as both an ecological inspiration and architectural icon, here in the heartland.

Location:

Coralville , IA - near the interchange of Interstates 80 and 380 with 45,000 vehicles passing daily
Minutes from Iowa City, home of the University of Iowa, one of North America’s largest teaching hospitals, cultural venues, and Iowa Hawkeyes athletic facilities
20+ acres on current EPA Brownfield site, next to the Iowa River

Education:

Visitor experience rich in environmental and energy science
In house Learning Center with dedicated space and technology to implement programs recommended by a state and national Education Design Team
State and national partnerships will improve science education by advocating for science literacy, preparing new science teachers, and providing professional development for experienced science teachers
Initiatives in leadership development and child development
In advance of opening, will provide Internet access to vast digital content for science education including weather, space, plants, animals, and even molecules

Exhibits:

Re-created tropical rain forest and up to one million gallon integrated aquarium
Large format and mixed media theatre
Interactive galleries on the indigenous Iowa prairie, geology and food production for the world
Re-created tall grass Iowa prairie, wetlands, outdoor trails, gardens and crops
Resource Conservation :

Designed to recapture up to 11 million gallons of annual on-site precipitation; external water purification system
Energy-efficient three-layer foil exterior
Use of alternative/renewable energy sources, potentially including passive solar, geothermal, biomass, and fuel cell technology
Economic Development:

500 construction jobs over 2 ½ years
200 permanent jobs with ripple effect of 2,500 jobs in eastern Iowa
Projected 1.1 million – 1.5 million visitors annually
State economic impact $187 million annually – $2 billion over a decade
$85 million positive economic impact in Johnson County, $72 million in Linn County
Project will anchor tourism in corridor including the Amana Colonies, Cedar Rapids, Kalona, West Branch, and other surrounding communities
Project is the center of a $300 million redevelopment of the Old Industrial Park that includes a new Marriott Hotel and Conference Center (already under-construction).
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NovakOmaha · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 232

I wouldn't have minded it if Nebraska had copied Iowa as far as casinos are concerned...I mean, those pesky Iowans are the sole reason that AkSarBen Track is now, um, well, nothing.

Iowa has always been more progressive than Nebraska. I personally think it has something to do with Merideth Wilson.

admin · Site Admin Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 296

{Pointless exchanges removed}

Let's all be nice folks. If you can't, you'll be removed from the forum. Thank you.

edsas · Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 563 Location: Glendale, CA

The Lied Jungle is a unique attraction. That's why this is a sensitive issue. This would be like Nebraska replicating the Bridges of Madison County or the Field of Dreams baseball field. Wouldn't it tick Iowans off if Nebraska wanted to build those?

I hope the Iowa jungle project gets dumped.

Ingersoll1978 · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 374 Location: Des Moines

The difference between the two is that the Iowa project isn't a zoo exhibit. It's more about education and the environment. If anyone should be mad, it's the Eden Project in England.

Edsas: I doubt anyone would care. It wouldn't be the "real" thing. That would be about as exciting as seeing a replica of the liberty bell in the town square.
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icejammer · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 1140 Location: Council Bluffs

almighty_tuna · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:07 am Post subject:

icejammer · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 1140 Location: Council Bluffs

almighty_tuna · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:58 am Post subject:

I might check it out once if part of a larger trip since its all the way out to IA City. But unless it was significantly better that what HDZ has it would be a one-shot deal.

Swift · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 2:41 pm Post subject:

Ingersoll1978 · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 374 Location: Des Moines

This project isn't a zoo exhibit.
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icejammer · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 1140 Location: Council Bluffs

Swift · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 4:06 pm Post subject:

TitosBuritoBarn · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:52 pm Post subject:

I would never go to it unless I was in Iowa City and was with a group of people who wanted to go. I can't say I see any uniqueness in this compared to the Lied Jungle either. I mean sure it is probably bigger, without as many organized pathes to follow, and fewer animals behind glass cages, but a man-made rainforest is a man-made rainforest...

jhuston · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 4030 Location: west Omaha

I'll go check it out.

MrTwister · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 50

It is a man made forest, but unlike the Lied Jungle, the Iowa Rainforest project would use actual trees, plants, rocks, soils, etc...from the Rainforest in South America. In otherwords it wouldn't be an artificial construct meant to simulate an environment, it would be the actual environment. It's more botanical garden than zoo exhibit.

But it's all moot. It will never be built.

Finn · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 1188 Location: DC

The Lied Jungle also uses actual trees, plants, rocks, soils, etc. from various jungles of the world IN ADDITION to artificial construction.

From Henry Doorly Zoo website:

"medicinal plants, giant trees, seven large waterfalls, cliffs and caves. Most of the rockwork, as well as the larger trees, are manmade to enhance durability and aesthetics. Materials used to create the manmade rockwork and trees include fiberglass, cement and metal frameworks. All man-made amenities are blended with live plants and animals to almost make the difference unidentifiable."

Ingersoll1978 · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 374 Location: Des Moines

I hope it gets built...but the reality of it actually getting built is diminishing. Who knows. There is even talk of it being moved again to another site.

I still think most of you don't see the difference between the two projects though. It's all about the scope of the projects. What the Lied Jungle is would just be a portion of the Iowa project.
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MrTwister · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 50

That was my point Finn. The Lied Jungle is an arificial construct blended with live material. The Iowa Rainforest project IS live material. It is meant to be a recreation of the natural habitat of a South American rainforest. Soils, insects, plants, birds, trees, everything. It is designed to be a living laboratory, not an facsmile of an environment for animals to live in.

Oh and btw....stop stealing your ideas from Minneapolis. They had a large indoor jungle long before Omaha.

TitosBuritoBarn · Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 1:41 am Post subject: