Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley MN | Nearby Businesses

• Non-Profit Organization
• Outdoor Recreation
• Tourist Attraction
• Wildlife Sanctuary
• Zoo and Aquarium

13000 Zoo Blvd
Apple Valley, MN 55124
(952) 431-9200

The Sons of Norway lodges since 1895 are to preserve and promote our Norwegian heritage and strengthen the ties between North America and both traditional and modern Norway. Sons of Norway International has provided opportunities for both cultural expression and insurance protection. Sons of Norway is a non-profit organization run by it's members-working for the good of its members. The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote, preserve, and cherish a lasting appreciation of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries while growing soundly as a fraternal benefit society and offering maximum benefits to its members. The organization was founded by 18 members on January 16, 1893, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to insure each other when they were unable to secure life insurance on their own. The benefits offered by the Sons of Norway have fluctuated over the years. SON originally offered life, sickness and accident insurance but in 1934 restricted coverage to life insurance only. Gradually other benefits were restored. Twelve lodges were founded across the Midwest by 1900. The organization slowly expanded across the United States and includes lodges in Canada and Norway. Currently, the Sons of Norway has nearly 400 lodges. With over 57,000 members. Each lodge has it own unique name. Our lodge was named after Norway and Minnesota "Nor-sota" lodge number 602 in the 1st district (midwest) Members meet the 2nd Saturday of each month in the Heritage Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, Minnesota a suburb of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Our logo is a combination of a Map of Minnesota and a dark outline of Norway attached to eastern edge of Minnesota. Through Sons of Norway, you can meet new friends and make a positive mark on your community. We welcome people of Scandinavian descent and all other persons who wish to share our interest in, and pursuit of, those activities which will expand our awareness and knowledge of our heritage while building friendships, helping others and having fun. Norsota Lodge so special to so many-- fun, fellowship, food, heritage, activities and learning.

We Aim To: · Improve and increase communications with our donors and other individuals and institutions · Enhance the Coffee program and improve the distribution process · Volunteer and Visitor program needs to be better developed to create solidarity and lasting relationships · Improve working relationships and communications with the Association in San Lucas to better facilitate prioritization of projects and monitor progress of individual projects · Develop better fundraising mechanisms including an ‘Alumni Association’ group program across the entire country Board Members: Arch Mrkvicka, Exec. Dir. – Owatonna, MN Brian Mathiowetz – Sleepy Eye, MN Chuck Spaeth – Sleepy Eye, MN Terri Wong – Eagan, MN Fr. Brian Oestreich – Madison, MN Fr. Phil Schotzko – St. Peter, MN S Dr. Chris Wallyn – Hutchinson, MN Dave Davis, Hewitt, MN Byron Maldonado, Key Biscayne, FL

The global conservation community has formulated a response in the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, and an integral part of that response is the Amphibian Ark (AArk), in which select species that would otherwise go extinct will be maintained in captivity until they can be secured in the wild. Without immediate captive management as a stopgap component of an integrated conservation effort, hundreds of species could become extinct.

The global conservation community has formulated a response in the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, and an integral part of that response is the Amphibian Ark (AArk), in which select species that would otherwise go extinct will be maintained in captivity until they can be secured in the wild. Without immediate captive management as a stopgap component of an integrated conservation effort, hundreds of species could become extinct.

The Sons of Norway lodges since 1895 are to preserve and promote our Norwegian heritage and strengthen the ties between North America and both traditional and modern Norway. Sons of Norway International has provided opportunities for both cultural expression and insurance protection. Sons of Norway is a non-profit organization run by it's members-working for the good of its members. The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote, preserve, and cherish a lasting appreciation of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries while growing soundly as a fraternal benefit society and offering maximum benefits to its members. The organization was founded by 18 members on January 16, 1893, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to insure each other when they were unable to secure life insurance on their own. The benefits offered by the Sons of Norway have fluctuated over the years. SON originally offered life, sickness and accident insurance but in 1934 restricted coverage to life insurance only. Gradually other benefits were restored. Twelve lodges were founded across the Midwest by 1900. The organization slowly expanded across the United States and includes lodges in Canada and Norway. Currently, the Sons of Norway has nearly 400 lodges. With over 57,000 members. Each lodge has it own unique name. Our lodge was named after Norway and Minnesota "Nor-sota" lodge number 602 in the 1st district (midwest) Members meet the 2nd Saturday of each month in the Heritage Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, Minnesota a suburb of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Our logo is a combination of a Map of Minnesota and a dark outline of Norway attached to eastern edge of Minnesota. Through Sons of Norway, you can meet new friends and make a positive mark on your community. We welcome people of Scandinavian descent and all other persons who wish to share our interest in, and pursuit of, those activities which will expand our awareness and knowledge of our heritage while building friendships, helping others and having fun. Norsota Lodge so special to so many-- fun, fellowship, food, heritage, activities and learning.

We Aim To: · Improve and increase communications with our donors and other individuals and institutions · Enhance the Coffee program and improve the distribution process · Volunteer and Visitor program needs to be better developed to create solidarity and lasting relationships · Improve working relationships and communications with the Association in San Lucas to better facilitate prioritization of projects and monitor progress of individual projects · Develop better fundraising mechanisms including an ‘Alumni Association’ group program across the entire country Board Members: Arch Mrkvicka, Exec. Dir. – Owatonna, MN Brian Mathiowetz – Sleepy Eye, MN Chuck Spaeth – Sleepy Eye, MN Terri Wong – Eagan, MN Fr. Brian Oestreich – Madison, MN Fr. Phil Schotzko – St. Peter, MN S Dr. Chris Wallyn – Hutchinson, MN Dave Davis, Hewitt, MN Byron Maldonado, Key Biscayne, FL