Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrate Earth Day at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ Party for the Planet! Guests can learn how to take care of our earth by visiting environmental and animal conservation booths from organizations such as Florida Fish and Wildlife, JEA, St. John’s Riverkeeper, N.E. Florida Aquatic Preserves, and many more! Guests can also enjoy live entertainment, animal encounters, animal enrichment (on April 24th only), prize drawings, and visits from Jazoo. There will also be a children’s area with eco-friendly crafts, bounce house and a giant inflatable slide. 

Special admission discount: Recycle! Guests can get $2 off admission with 5lbs of paper or any electronic waste (items that are powered by batteries or electricity) to be recycled. This discount cannot be combined with any other discount or offer and is only available on April 24 and 25, 2010.

Activity Schedule

Activities will take place 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Live entertainment – Saturday, April 24:

• Richard Stratton Earth Sounds at the Wild Florida pavilion 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Stefeyna in the Gardens at Trout River Plaza 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Live entertainment – Sunday, April 25:

• Gypsy Highway at the Wild Florida pavilion 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Ngomathunder drum circle in the Gardens at Trout River Plaza 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Environment and animal conservation booths throughout the Zoo.  Participating organizations:

• Jacksonville Zoo Green Team
• NE FL Aquatic Preserves
• Duval County Master Gardeners
• JEA
• Marian Brickner - bonobo photographer
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Sea Turtles, Manatee and Right Whale divisions
• Jacksonville Arboretum
• Global Greenup
• St. Johns Riverkeeper
• JTA
• The Foundation Academy
• Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board
• Greenwood School
• St. Johns River Water Management District
• North Florida Koi Club
• North Florida Recycling Inc.
• Jacksonville Herpetological Society
• MOSH
• FL Dept. Environmental Protection
• Herbal Link
• Save the Manatee Club
• COJ Waterfront Mgmt.
• Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol
• Audubon Society
• Reflections of Nature
• Fruit Cove Cactus and Foliage
• Sam’s Club at Busch Drive
• AAA - Auto Club South
• AE Solar Design
• Toyota hybrid vehicle display
• As well as several animal conservation booths run by zookeepers!

Children’s Activity Area in the Great Lawn:

• Giant slide and bounce house free-of-charge
• Plant a tree seedling!
• Recycling games
• Chance to enter for a prize
• 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. children can also visit with Jazoo, the Zoo’s friendly lion mascot
  Animal encounters at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Discovery Center in Play Park and at the Orchid Pavilion in the Asian Gardens. Animal enrichment on Saturday, April 24th only at various animal exhibits And don’t forget to sign up for the inaugural Walk for the Planet on Saturday, April 24th at 7:30 a.m. to benefit conservation!
  

  New this year is a family fun walk on Saturday, April 24th, to benefit conservation!

  Join us for Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ inaugural Walk for the Planet, a noncompetitive 2 mile family fun walk through the Zoo. Each walker receives a commemorative T-shirt, entrance into the Walk for the Planet post-party and admission into the Zoo. All proceeds benefit the conservation efforts of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, a non-profit organization. A post party will follow the walk with prizes, refreshments, bounce house and giant inflatable slide. Walk for the Planet is open to people of all ages; it is also a stroller-friendly walk.  Stay with us for the day. Walk for the Planet registration fees include admission into the Zoo. Check out the komodo dragon in the Asian Garden exhibit, or visit with the birds in the Emerald Forest Aviary in the Range of the Jaguar after the walk.  Walk for the Planet information: Walk Path
  Times:
  • 7:00 a.m. – registration
  • 7:30 a.m. – 2 mile family fun walk begins at Main Camp
  • 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Post-party at the Great Lawn with giant slide, bounce house, face painting, prize drawings, live entertainment, snacks and beverages

  Register now! 
  Early registration prices (now – April 19th):
  Non-members:               
  $25 for adult non-members              
  $15 for child non-members (ages 3-12)   

  Jacksonville Zoo Member pricing:
  $20 for adult members    
  $10 for child members (ages 3-12)

  Walk as a family and save!     
  $50 for non-member family (2 adults, 2 children) ($10 for each additional child on the family price)     
  $40 for member family (2 adults, 2 children) ($10 for each additional child on the family price)
  Children 2 and under are FREE, but they do not receive t-shirts or participant bibs.                 

  Late and day-of registration prices (April 20th – 24th):
  $30 for adult non-members, $20 for child non-members (ages 3-12)
  $25 for members, $15 for child members (ages 3-12)
  $55 for a non-member family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children), $10 for each additional child
  $45 for member family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children), $10 for each additional child

  Click here for the mail-in registration form.

  Register online now with active.com!

  More information:
  No refunds will be issued.
  Mailed registration forms must be postmarked no later than April 19, 2010.
  T-shirts and participant bibs will be distributed on the day of the event.

  For questions please contact the special event coordinator at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)