For immediate release
Contact: Mercede New, 904-757-4463, ext. 211
 Gina Stiles, 904-757-4463, ext. 210

Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens Reaches Out to Community’s Most Needy Citizens

June 12, 2009 -Jacksonville, Florida – For the 10th year in a row, the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens announced a gift of 5,000 free Zoo admission tickets to Jacksonville’s socially and economically disadvantaged citizens.  The tickets, valued at approximately $65,000, were given to the City of Jacksonville for distribution and  are good through February 28, 2010.

Janet Johnson, Jacksonville Zoo’s Interim Executive Director, who initiated the free ticket program for the disadvantaged says, “We are happy to provide these tickets to encourage participation in the Zoo’s education, conservation and recreation activities to those who may not otherwise be able to participate.”

In addition to the free ticket program for the underserved, the Zoo admits over 90,000 Duval County school children, kindergarten through 12th grade, free-of-charge annually for their field trips.   

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. The Jacksonville Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  It is open year-round, seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95.  The Zoo is open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

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