CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN: Brevard Zoo Cares Deeply About Mother Earth and Her Creatures

brevard zoo’s interest in conservation efforts extends well beyond the county line

Brevard Zoo, the zoo that the community built, has always cared deeply about Mother Earth and her creatures, and the zoo’s interest in conservation efforts extends well beyond the county line. “Conservation is in our DNA,” said Andrea Hill, the zoo’s director of marketing and communications.

For information or to make a reservation to attend the 2019 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Mother Earth is truly one of a kind, so it pays to be nice to her.

Brevard Zoo, the zoo that the community built, has always cared deeply about Mother Earth and her creatures, and the zoo’s interest in conservation efforts extends well beyond the county line.

“Conservation is in our DNA,” said Andrea Hill, the zoo’s director of marketing and communications.

“Between restoring living shorelines in the Indian River Lagoon, rehabilitating sick and injured sea turtles, breeding endangered Perdido Key beach mice and much more, we’re doing everything we can to ensure a bright future for the world’s wildlife and ecosystems.”

When it comes to saving the planet and its creatures, the Zoo’s reach is both local and global, and takes the form of everything from supporting efforts to save familiar but beleaguered species such as scrub jays, manatees and sea turtles to participating in global initiatives such as the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Saving Animals from Extinction Program, which contributes $350 million annually to wildlife conservation programs around the globe.

The gregarious Florida scrub jays owe a lot to the Zoo. With species numbers declining by more than 90 percent because of human encroachment, the blue jays are perilously on the brink.

Brevard Zoo oversees the safe capture, transport and release of these birds from marginal habitats to new homes in managed – and safe – public lands.

This is no small feat, because the very family-centered blue jays must be relocated in intact family groups for the process to work. Because fewer than 6,000 of these birds are left, successful translocations are critical for the species’ survival.

Although Brevard County is home to more sea turtle nests than practically anywhere else in the country, up to a few years ago, there were no rehabilitation facilities capable of caring for these long-distance travelers who choose our shores as nesting grounds.

In 2014, Brevard Zoo stepped up with the Sea Turtle Healing Center, which cares for sick and injured turtles.

Locally, diamondback terrapin studies, research on frogs as a “canary” species determining the health of an eco-system, pollinator protection, oyster beds restoration, shore bird species surveys, Indian River Lagoon Restoration, the Adopt-a-Mangrove Program and even a breeding initiative for the tiny but environmentally important Perdido Key Beach Mouse are part of Brevard Zoo’s conservations efforts.

Upon entry to the Zoo, each guest is given a token representing 25 cents and asked to “vote” for their favorite project or organization at the Quarters for Conservation station. Additional contributions can be made with legal tender coins or bills.

One quarter at a time, the Zoo raised money last year to donate thousands of dollars to 12 different conservation projects around the world, including the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Borneo Nature Foundation and the Madagascar Wildlife Conservation.

Yes, Mother Nature has a true friend in Brevard Zoo.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI

For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2019 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

2018 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS SET NOV. 7

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PROFILES IN SPACE COAST DAILY MAGAZINE

Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure

The 2019 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. 

The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.

The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created in 2009 by Space Coast Daily to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.

TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community.

TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved.

TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fundraising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.

All 2019 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2019 edition of Space Coast Daily magazine and on SpaceCoastDaily.com.  The magazine will be available in both print and digital editions, which will also be available on SpaceCoastDaily.com soon.

HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL HONOREES INCLUDE:

• Evan Ernst, ‘Who We Play For’
• Healthy Start Coalition
• Community Foundation of Brevard
• Col. Nathan Thomas
• Space Coast Area Transit
• Friends of Children of Brevard County
• Lanette Sanders
• Bryan Lober
• 321 Millennials
• Brevard Zoo
• K9 Junny, BCSO Ambassador
• National Veterans Homeless Support
• Brevard Relief for Bahamas
• Rock Paper Simple
• Brevard Hispanic Center
• Pilot Club of Titusville
• Brevard Rescue Mission
• Tom and Sue Walker
• Heroes on the Water
• Love Stitches
• Matt Susin
• Bruce Buggs
• Sandra Pelham
• Denise Farias
• Brevard Civilian/Military Foundation
• Tim Deratany, Lifetime Achievement honoree

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PROFILES IN SPACE COAST DAILY MAGAZINE

As always, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers.

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER HONOREES:

• Linda Shatzer, Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center
• Jama Sibley, Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital
• Janet MacKenzie, Melbourne Regional Medical Center
• April Marino, Health First’s Viera Hospital
• Catherine Shelton, Rockledge Regional Medical Center
• Susan Testa, Sebastian River Medical Center
• Pat Weber, Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital
• Dennis Jones, Parrish Medical Center

HOSPICE VOLUNTEER HONOREES:

• Haywood Davidson, Hospice Of St. Francis
• Val Johnson, Hospice Of Health First
• Kareen Williams, Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice
• Leslie Miller, Vitas Hospice

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PROFILES IN SPACE COAST DAILY MAGAZINE

JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING

This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by All Points, Erdman Automotive, Health First, Clear Choice Health Care, Florida Prep, Total Home Roofing, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Paper Simple, Embrace Home Loans, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, Friday Night Locker Room, Safari Mail House and SpaceCoastDaily.com.

Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe. Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2019 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

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