Building the Zoo was a whale of a job!
In the early 1990s, over 16,000 Brevard County residents came together to design and construct the Zoo, making it the largest volunteer build in the world. This incredible spirit, drive and investment reflected the heart and soul of our special community—and has survived and grown over the past 25 years.
Since the Zoo opened in 1994, our achievements on the local, national and world stages have been extraordinary. We’ve become a home to more than 900 animals representing 195 species from around the world, created new loops and exhibits, engaged tens of thousands of community members in shoreline restoration, nursed thousands of sea turtles back to health, provided a space to learn for virtually every child in Brevard County and much, much more. There is no question that your sense of ownership has made all the difference.
We already have some big things planned for the next quarter-century, including the completion of Rainforest Revealed, growing our commitment to lion conservation (yes, that includes lions at the Zoo!) and taking on the enormous project of building an aquarium here in Brevard County that will serve as a hub for Indian River Lagoon science and research.
A rendering of the monument.
As we celebrate the amazing accomplishments of our past and anticipate our “sky is the limit” future, we feel there could be no better recognition than the creation of a monument with the names of all who want to be a forever part of our identity.
For just $25, you can have your name inscripted on our 25th-anniversary monument that is set to be unveiled at the end of the year. This monument will sit just outside the Zoo entrance, so you can come visit it whenever you want without walking through the gates. Our goal is to gather 16,000 names to represent the volunteers who built the Zoo. What better way to launch into our future than by honoring our past?
Click here to secure your spot now!