Rachel contracted with PCL Construction Services to renovate and construct a new prairie dog exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo. The prairie dogs were escaping their previous exhibit and existing soils became unsuitable for their inhabitance. Rachel worked with PCL and the Zoo to coordinate export and import exhibit materials with least amount of disruption to daily zoo traffic. The new exhibit was designed with a stout barrier at the base of imported soils to prevent escape. This new barrier consisted of a layer of large rock sandwiched between two layers of very narrow chain link fence. The fence was anchor bolted to the exhibits new perimeter concrete walls to completely enclose the below grade barrier. With their new exhibit, prairie dogs were introduced into their new habitat in September of 2024.
Project Highlights
200,000 CY of Common Excavation – OR –
Furnish and install 1,100 LF drain tile
Export 1,700 CY of Existing Prairie Dog Dirt
Import 1,500 CY of new Prairie Dog Dirt
Place 10,000 SF of chain link fence for new barrier
Import 300 ton of riprap for dig barrier
