Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens…the Garden Story

By Chris Dailey, Curator of Horticulture

A quarter of a century ago, change was taking root at the Zoo. This transformation stemmed from the realization that animals and plants are deeply interconnected—far beyond the boundaries of the Zoo itself. The goal was to provide visitors with opportunities to appreciate plants and gardens alongside our animals. As a result, in 2003, our official name changed to Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Today, our commitment to both plants and animals remains at the heart of our mission: Connecting communities with wildlife and wild places.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Botanical Garden Master Plan states, “For decades, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has given the Jacksonville community a place to love animals. We are about to embark on a mission that will give Jacksonville a public place to love plants while setting a new standard for zoos in the process.”

Since then, we have introduced three major “pocket gardens,” including Savanna Blooms Garden (2005), Gardens at Trout River Plaza (2007) and Asian Bamboo Garden (2009).

These pocket gardens, along with our animal exhibits, are connected by linear gardens along the main pathway that we call the Rivers of Color Garden. As visitors explore the Zoo, they are surrounded by unique plants, immersed in creative garden designs and witness the benefits of sustainable gardening practices. Other areas, such as Range of the Jaguar and Riverview Gardens, have been further enriched with lush plant life. With every new addition, including Land of the Tiger and Primate Forest, we ensure that ample green spaces are integrated, creating even more opportunities for plants to thrive.

We take immense pride in our gardens and green spaces! They are a defining feature that sets Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens apart from other zoos. Recently, we have focused on creating more opportunities for visitors to engage with and appreciate our gardens. Each spring, we celebrate plants and conservation with events like Party for the Planet, Botanical Bash and Art in the Garden—all perfect opportunities to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

Our education team is dedicated to sharing knowledge with everyone, from schoolchildren to garden clubs, through classes and guided tours. Meanwhile, our philanthropy team is working closely with the horticulture team to recognize and preserve our collection of 100-plusyear-old exceptional specimen live oak trees, known as our Legacy Trees.

Our hope is that when you visit Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the gardens provide you with joy, peace and inspiration. We hope that through plants, you become more connected to the natural world around you. We thank you for your support as we work to protect and conserve plants and animals around the world and here in Florida!