Brevard Zoo Staff Creating and Finalizing Plans for Aquarium and Surrounding Property

By  //  June 13, 2022

The zoo plans to prioritize low impact development practices and incorporate resiliency planning during the process

As Brevard Zoo continues fundraising for the future Aquarium, the staff is hard at work creating and finalizing plans for the aquarium and surrounding property. The Brevard Zoo conservation team recently made a trip to the site to get some headway on their own plans. (Brevard Zoo image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – As we continue fundraising for our future Aquarium, our staff is hard at work creating and finalizing plans for the aquarium and surrounding property.

The Brevard Zoo conservation team recently made a trip to the site to get some headway on their own plans.

Amy, our sustainability manager, met with staff from the City of Cape Canaveral who have extensive experience in sustainable development.

The goal is to utilize their knowledge and experience in all ways possible at this site. The zoo plans to prioritize low-impact development practices and incorporate resiliency planning during the process.

A few members of our Restore Our Shores team performed a shoreline evaluation to start the restoration plan. They found a healthy-looking seagrass species called Ruppia maritima during their survey. Our goal will be to expand this seagrass through our future seagrass restoration program.

We also plan to do some oyster gardening onsite in the future. The process involves growing oyster spat, or larvae, in oyster shell halves in the lagoon. The fully grown oysters are used in future reef-building projects.

Unfortunately, a large amount of an invasive plant called Brazilian pepper was found near the shoreline as well during the visit. This plant creates a dense canopy that shades out other plants and is a poor habitat for native animals.

We are planning to remove the Brazilian pepper and replace it with native species like mangroves before starting the official aquarium build.

We hope to share public opportunities to volunteer on our Aquarium website in the future, but you can start getting involved in Restore Our Shores volunteer projects now HERE.

Brevard Zoo Staff Creating and Finalizing Plans for Aquarium and Surrounding PropertyRelated Story:
Brevard Zoo Staff Creating and Finalizing Plans for Aquarium and Surrounding Property