Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens Sets Grand Opening for J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River and VyStar SkyScape Entrance

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens announced today that the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River and VyStar SkyScape entrance will officially open to the public on March 6, marking a major milestone in the Zoo’s historic transformation.

Additional details on the grand opening celebration, including information about a media preview, will be announced in the coming weeks.

“This project represents what’s possible when a community comes together around conservation,” said Nikki Smith, Chief Philanthropy and Marketing Officer at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens. “We are deeply grateful to J. Wayne Weaver and Delores Barr Weaver, VyStar Credit Union, the City of Jacksonville, and every donor and supporter who made this vision a reality. The Manatee River and SkyScape entrance will transform how guests experience the Zoo while directly supporting the rescue and recovery of Florida manatees.”

The new J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River, a 330,000-gallon, state-of-the-art critical care facility, will allow the Zoo to rescue, rehabilitate, recover, and release Florida manatees, playing a vital role in protecting one of the state’s most iconic and threatened species. Designed to educate visitors about manatees and their ecosystem, the habitat provides unprecedented visibility into conservation work happening in real time.

The VyStar SkyScape will redefine the arrival experience for guests, featuring a dramatic immersive video screen, direct views into the Manatee River habitat, a café, retail space, and event-ready amenities that create a seamless and engaging gateway into the Zoo.

The new entrance and habitat are the first major components of REZOOVENATION, the Zoo’s long-term, multi-phase transformation plan designed to revitalize nearly every part of the campus. REZOOVENATION enhances animal habitats, improves guest experiences, and advances sustainability and conservation efforts across the Zoo.

Having recently celebrated 100 years at its Trout River location, Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens continues to evolve as a national leader in conservation, education, and guest experience. The Zoo is the No. 1 attraction in Northeast Florida and was recently named the No. 4 Best Zoo in the United States.

The new Manatee River and SkyScape complex will also serve as a premier event destination, featuring flexible indoor and outdoor spaces overlooking the habitat, including meeting rooms, banquet space, and a large-scale covered SkyScape designed to host corporate events, galas, weddings, and community celebrations.

To learn more about REZOOVENATION and the Zoo’s future vision, visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org/rezoovenation.

About Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens
For over 100 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has aimed to inspire the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experiences in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection of one red deer fawn, the Zoo now has more than 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 species of plants, boasting the largest botanical garden in Northeast Florida. The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a nonprofit organization and a portion of every ticket sold goes to the over 35 conservation initiatives Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens supports around the world, and here in NE Florida. The Zoo is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For more information, visit jacksonvillezoo.org

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