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The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's Iguana Management Project has not attracted the outside support which is necessary to keep it operating. To date, foundations have simply not been willing to consider supporting this multi-year, multi-million dollar project, despite its implications for third-world food supply and for environmental protection.

The National Zoo is planning to explore Australian sources of private support to underwrite the development of its Australian pavilion, beginning in February.

Total private gifts to the Institution from corporations, foundations, and individuals in fiscal year 1987 -- excluding memberships -- exceeded $13.5 million, up nearly 24% from the 1986 total of $10.9 million.

[[underlined]] Major Construction Projects [[/underlined]]

The construction contract for the National Air and Space Museum Restaurant is 45% complete, with completion scheduled for July 1988. Opening of the facility to the public is anticipated in the fall of 1988. The contract for the Smithsonian Information Center in the Castle Building was awarded in October, with scheduled completion in March 1989. Currently the contract is 7% complete. Bid documents for construction of the Freer Gallery Quadrangle Link and Alterations will be completed in January, with contract award anticipated in May or June. The construction contract for the Tropical Research Institute Dining and Conference Center on Barro Colorado Island will be awarded in January 1988. The Tupper Laboratory and Conference Center construction is 25% complete, with scheduled completion in September 1988.

Planning for the Whipple Observatory Base Camp facility is 85% completed. Design and road construction will be undertaken in 1988, with the expectation that building construction can occur in 1989. Construction of the Mathias Laboratory at the Environmental Research Center is 15% complete, with scheduled completion in September 1988.

Work is under way to re-examine the scheduling and coats associated with the major renovation of the Natural History Building heating, ventilating, air conditioning and electrical systems. The American History Building exterior repairs and roof replacement contract is 70% complete.

Construction of the Veterinary Hospital at the National Zoological Park is 85% complete, and a spring completion is expected. Bids will be opened in January 1988 for renovation of the Research Facility, with the construction anticipated to begin in April of 1988. Design of the third phase of the Olmsted Walk project is nearly complete, and bids will be solicited in early 1988.