Tour the Gardens of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced a guided walking tour of the Zoo’s gardens scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2008, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Guests are to meet outside of the main gates at 9:15 a.m. Director of Horticulture, Bob Chabot, will do an introductory talk about the gardens at the Zoo. Guests will then proceed to the tropical American garden of Range of the Jaguar, followed by the paths of Play Park and the Gardens at Trout River Plaza. The tour will be led by one of the Zoo’s own knowledgeable garden staff.

"We invite all those interested in gardening to come enjoy the tour of the Zoo’s beautiful gardens and get some great tips from our horticulture staff on how to grow a wide range of plants," said Director of Horticulture and Facilities Bob Chabot.

The cost is $10 per person for Zoo members and $20 per person for nonmembers. Pre-registration is required and tour size is limited. Admission into the Zoo is included in the tour cost. For more information or to pre-register, visit the Zoo’s Web site at jacksonvillezoo.org.

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 6:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day. For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.