Brevard Zoo Membership Newsletter Winter/Fall 2018 | Page 2

Dear Zoo Friends, The Rainforest is Rising! I ’m sure if you are regular Zoo guests, you’ve noticed things happening in the La Selva loop over the last six months.  That is in preparation for some amazing changes coming to this part of the Zoo over the course of next year.  La Selva is one of the original parts of the Zoo, and after 25 years of great service, it is deserving of some attention. The Rainforest Rising project builds on the ideas we piloted with the sky bridge concept for our Jaguars, which allows them to travel overhead in the trees to other habitats. Imagine more skytrail systems for our primates as well. We will also add exciting new animals like Giant otters, river monsters and venomous snakes to the experience and allow guests to get into the canopy to observe Spider monkeys at the treetop level. In planning for this major renovation, we have tried to limit the impact on Zoo guests.  So rather than close the La Selva loop for the entire construction cycle, we will close it only when necessary.  It’s closed now but will reopen in mid-October with guest access to the section running from the main loop to Squirrel monkeys.  It will then have some sporadic short-term closures of the entire loop as we complete the work for opening in late fall 2019.  We appreciate your patience as we work on building the best Zoo possible in anticipation of our 25-year anniversary. You’ll be seeing improved parking and bathrooms next year, too.  And all of this would not be possible without your support – thank you! See you at the Zoo! Keith Winsten, Executive Director ECZS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cole Oliver - President Heather McDonough Clayton Archey Leasha Flammio-Watson Scott Miller Jessica Assam Elaina Garvin William W. Moore Jackie Barker Toni George Taylor Pancake Adam Bird Beth Gitlin Lew Schwartz Laura Bomalaski Dana Kilborne Natasha Cartagena Spencer Kim Brown Joseph Klein Barbara Wall Scanlon Michael Cerow Michelle Masline Cathy Wood Darlene Evans-Borinski ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Keith Winsten - Executive Director Jon Brangan - Deputy Director Frank Fieseler - Chief Operating/Financial Officer Andrew Batten - Director of Risk Management Sharon Connelly - Director of Operations Karen Davis - Director of Development Chris DeLorey - Director of Education Andrea Hill - Director of Marketing & Communications Christopher Martin - Director of Human Resources Kathleen Nichols - Director of Volunteer Programs Jody Palmer - Director of Conservation Programs Cheri Purnell - Director of Membership & First Impressions Nancy Wright - Director of Adventure Services Michelle Smurl - Director of Animal Programs Dan Wright - Director of Facilities Trevor Zachariah, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACZM - Director of Veterinary Programs How to reach us: 321-254-9453 General Zoo Information........................ ext. 489 Membership............................................. ext. 239 Education.................................................. ext. 219 Volunteer Opportunities........................ ext. 440 8225 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940 BrevardZoo.org Thank You to Our Corporate Partners Wildlife Conservation through Education and Participation As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit we are supported solely on gate/operations—membership, admissions, activities, food and gift sales, and special events—as well as private donations. Your patronage directly enables us to meet our mission of conservation, education and animal wellness while connecting hundreds of thousands of people with wildlife every year. SELECT PHOTOS COURTESY OF BREVARD ZOO STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, FERGUS KENNEDY AND CLAUDIA AULADELL QUINTANA 2 Printed on 100% Recycled Paper