Welcome to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ Education Department

Our Vision is:
“Inspiring discovery and appreciation of the Earth’s wildlife through innovative experiences in a caring environment.”

Our Mission is:

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens fosters understanding of the integration of people, wildlife and their environment by the following:

• Creating engaging experiences for our guests;
• Funding programs, operations and expansions through entrepreneurial spirit;
• Providing innovative educational programs;
• Instilling passion in the next generation as responsible stewards of the future.

In support of our mission, the Education Department develops, implements and evaluates programs suitable for a variety of audiences.  Every program features up-close and hands-on encounters with a collection of small animals in both formal and informal settings.

The PepsiCo Foundation Education Campus features four climate-controlled classrooms, large auditorium, and public restrooms located very close to the picnic area in the south parking area, conveniently located near bus parking. 

Advanced reservations are required for the following programs:

On-site Classroom Presentations
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is home to over 1,400 species of animals and 1,000 species of plants from around the world.  It is also the field trip destination for nearly 100,000 school students, teachers and chaperones every year from as far away as Columbia, SC & Savannah, GA, Orlando & Tallahassee, FL.  Nearly half of those student groups include an on-site Education Program as part of their educational experience.

Home School Programs
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ Education Department offers a variety of education classes primarily for home-schooled students living along the First Coast (Northeast FL and Southeast GA).  This unique opportunity allows students to get up close and hands-on with animals in a nurturing, learning environment with their peers.

Off-site Outreach Programs
Unable to visit the Zoo?  Let us bring the Zoo to YOU!  A Zoofari Outreach Program transforms your classroom lesson or special event into a not-to-be-missed occasion!  Every program includes a variety of animals and artifacts that provide for hands-on learning.  We Bring Life to Learning!

Day Camps
When schools out, Zoo Camp is IN!  Nowhere else on the First Coast can your child spend all day or all week nose-to-nose with an elephant, toe-to-toe with a flamingo, neck-to-neck with a giraffe, eye-to-eye with an anaconda or shoulder-to-shoulder with a gorilla!  All of our programs include behind the scenes tours, activities & games, crafts and hands-on encounters with animals everyday.

Family Workshops
Why should kids have all the fun?  The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens offers a variety of Family Workshops and Horticulture Workshops at the PepsiCo Foundation Education Campus for adults and families in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia! Each workshop explores a different part of the Animal Kingdom, Plant Kingdom and the world we live in.

Teacher & Educator Workshops
“Education should consist of a series of enchantments, each raising the individual to a higher level of awareness, understanding, and kinship with all living things.”  - Author Unknown

Classroom teachers, home schooling parents, park and museum educators know that hands-on, engaging lessons are more meaningful and make a lasting impression on young minds eager for information.  And, the environmental education curricula developed by Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), Project WILD (Wildlife in Learning Design) and Project Learning Tree help educators enhance lessons with kinetic, engaging and cross-curricula activities spanning PreK to 12th Grade.  Throughout the year, the Education Department offers workshops in all of these curricula.  If you cannot come to us, we can bring these workshops to your facility.

After Dark Programs
Did you know that there were TWO Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens?  One you see by day; the other you EXPERIENCE BY NIGHT!  The Education Department’s After Dark Programs are unique events that take you behind the scenes to meet the exotic animal collection up-close.  Whether you want to spend the night or enjoy a twilight stroll, we have a variety of programs for nearly all ages.

Toddler & Pre-school Programs
Introduce your child to the wonders of the Animal Kingdom early!  Children between the ages of 30 and 48 months are eligible to register for the Education Department’s Zoo Tots Program.  Each 45-minute program offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays features hands-on encounters with animals, a craft activity and story time that revolve around the theme for the week.  Come to one or sign-up for the whole series.  All programs meet in the Discovery Center located in Play Park at the south end of the Zoo.

Daily guests are invited to interact with the Education Exhibit Guides at the Giraffe Overlook, Range of the Jaguar Field Station, and Lorikeet Aviary.  In addition, the Biological Programs Department schedules daily Zookeeper Talks at various exhibits.  This schedule is listed on the map guests receive prior to entering the Zoo.

We invite you to explore this area of the website to learn more about the Education Department and its programs at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens