City, Society & Board of Directors

The City of Duluth currently owns and operates the zoo through the Parks and Recreation Department.  The city is responsible for the overall management of the zoo, with assistance from the Lake Superior Zoological Society. The city is directly responsible for the buildings and grounds, and the care of the animals.   The Society is responsible for visitor services, marketing, educational programs and support services.  Together, this public/private partnership endeavors to maintain and improve the zoo with scarce resources in an ever changing environment.

Arrowhead Zoological Society & the Board of Directors:

The business and purpose of this Society is to assist, maintain and develop Lake Superior Zoological Gardens or other parks and gardens established in St. Louis County by the Society.  The society is also responsible for encouraging its members to stimulate an interest in the study of natural history and the allied sciences.  The Society works with the community to raise funds and gifts for the betterment of zoological exhibits.

The Society received the coveted Charity Review Board seal of approval in 2008.  This seal is only given to 501 (c) 3 non profit organizations demonstrating the highest standards in their management and fund raising efforts.

The governing body of the Society is the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors is composed of elected officials from the community.  They meet regularly to solve problems and make decisions in the best interest of the zoo.

Zoological Society's New Executive Committee & Board Members

At the Lake Superior Zoological Society's annual meeting in January 2008, the new Executive Committee members were elected:  Russell Smith, President, Dennis Ramberg, First Vice President, Tim Meininger, Second Vice President, Richard Langlee Secretary and Gary Halgren,Treasurer.  Donna Buck is the Past President.  Also at that meeting Julene Boe, Kim Kramer and Nicole Johnson were elected to the Society's Board of Directors.

The Society welcomes the following new incoming board members:

Kim Kramer is a graduate of the University of Iowa has spent the past 14 years working as a store manager for Kramer Ace Hardware in Clear Lake IA.  Since moving to Duluth 1 ½ years ago, Kim has volunteered for Animal Allies, The John Beargrease and the Lake Superior Zoo.  She has been a member of Rotary for 10 years and on the board of the Clear Lake Rotary club for 5 years.  She has always been active in local events and plans to continue this in Duluth. 

Nicole Johnson received her Bachelors of Arts degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota Duluth.  Nichole is a Senior Professional in Human Resources and Certified Benefit Professional and serves as a human resources supervisor for ALLETE/Minnesota Power.

Julene Boe started her relationship with the Lake Superior Zoo as a volunteer in 1975 and was hired as a keeper in 1976. She was a Public Information Coordinator for the Department of Parks and Recreation from 1988 until she retired from the City of Duluth in 2007.  She also served twice as interim zoo director, most recently in 2006.  Julene is now the Executive Director of the St. Louis River Citizens Action Committee.