Board to look at safe haven for tigers
By Mindy Honey
Society Editor
FORSYTH — The Taney County Planning and Zoning Board will hear about a project next week that would build an tiger sanctuary in Taney County.
On Monday night, the board will look at GREEN, short for Global Resources for Environmental Education and Nature. According to GREEN’s application, the project would offer a unique learning experience through the development of an Environmental learning center. The center will provide opportunities for people to learn about and help save the environment as well as endangered species.
“GREEN will provide a (United States Department of Agriculture) safe haven for several genetically valuable endangered species,” the planning and zoning application stated, adding no creature exists in isolation.
Eddie Coxie, Taney County Planning and Zoning administrator, said developers have explained that the project would include big cats.
According to the application, GREEN will provide an education center, leadership and retreat center, community outreach programs, visitor’s center, gift shop, veterinarian facility and USDA habitats for endangered species.
“The Environmental Learning Center will be an international destination for students and visitors, as well as an asset to the local community, and will initially employ 10-15 year-round full-time employees,” the application stated.
The proposed center would be located on 67 acres north of Branson on U.S. 160.
The planning and zoning meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Taney County Commission Hearing Room. Coxie said Monday will be a concept hearing for the project. Next month, a public hearing will be held followed by a vote a week later.
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