PHOTOS BY JASON GULLEY
February 5, 2022
6:00-10:00 PM
an evening Benefitting manatee conservation efforts including rescue, rehabilitation, and release
Established in 2017, Toast to Conservation celebrates Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens' commitment to protecting threatened animals, plants, and ecosystems around the globe. Our wildlife conservation programs include organizations locally and globally which we have dedicated over $1.25 million to within the past five years. By joining us, you can play a part in saving these incredible species.
Reserve Tickets
Programming
Tour of Manatee Critical Care Center (Reservations Required)
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Plated Dinner in Range of the Jaguar
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Special Guest Speakers: Dr. Jason Gulley and Dr. Robert Bonde
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Joseph Hixon Champion of Conservation Award Presentation
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Live Auction of Zoo Items
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Paddles Up for Conservation
Special Guest Speakers
Dr. Jason Gulley
Dr. Gulley is a geologist, writer and photographer. His photography and writing dovetail with his research on Florida’s springs, underwater environments and glaciers. He is a National Geographic Explorer, as well as a cave and technical scuba diving instructor. His photographs and stories have been published by a range of national and international newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, National Geographic, WIRED and GEO. Dr. Gulley is most well-known for his expeditions to explore and study glacier and underwater caves but when COVID cancelled international travel, he turned his camera toward Florida’s springs and manatees. When not on expeditions, Dr. Gulley teaches courses in hydrology and scientific diving at the University of South Florida.
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Dr. Robert Bonde
Dr. Bonde has a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medical Sciences from University of Florida, and has dedicated 40 years of his career to studying manatees worldwide, including in the United States, Belize, Cuba, South America, and Africa. He is a retired research biologist from the U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project. Throughout his career, Dr. Bonde has played a pivotal role in the conservation of manatees through stranding investigations, population monitoring, and longitudinal assessment of manatee health. Dr. Bonde has also worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida, and has served on more than 30 graduate student committees. Dr. Bonde has over 110 scientific publications and has coauthored with Dr. Roger Reep a book titled The Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation.
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