Jeff Ettling, President & CEO, Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens

In an interview with Invest: Jeff Ettling, president and CEO of Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, shared the benefits of connecting with and preserving nature, why educational initiatives such as youth volunteer groups and summer camps continue to be a key focus area, and their efforts in strategic fundraising to adapt to the exponential increased costs of projects.

What have been some major highlights of the zoo over the past 12 months?

If I look back over the last year and a half, we have a combination of impactful things going on. One major highlight is our new $72 million VyStar SkyScape entrance and J. Wade and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River, which is under construction and set to open in late 2025. In addition to this major investment, we have also invested about $5 million in upgrading much of our infrastructure throughout the rest of our zoo and gardens. We aim to give a unified look to our entire campus, so we are installing new eucalyptus railings and making other exhibit/guest amenity upgrades. These efforts ensure that everything looks synonymous.

We are also addressing crucial aspects of our facilities that visitors might not see but are essential, such as new roofs and updating HVAC systems. These upgrades are significant for both the safety and aesthetic appeal for our animals, guests, and team members. This investment is about our future, ensuring continuous improvement in a positive direction.

In the last 12 to 18 months, these have been the most impactful and visual changes. Spending $5 million might seem easy, but in today’s economic climate, particularly post-COVID, materials are not readily available and often have to be specially manufactured. This delay means everything is happening simultaneously, which is both challenging and positive for the team’s morale. It shows our commitment to reinvesting in our entire complex and sends a strong message to our team members.

I get out and walk in the zoo every day. It keeps me visible to our team members and guests, and it allows me to see our campus. I usually go out a couple of times a day. Even before I recently left town on business, I was seeing all these positive changes on a daily basis. However, to see how much got done in a two-week period when I was not out there every day was quite impactful for me.

How is the current economic landscape and environment impacting your operations?

The biggest thing I have seen is the cost of everything has gone up dramatically. For instance, in our new Manatee River habitat, the life support system alone is $18 million. The concrete for the filtration system pad will cost $1.8 million. Who would have thought that concrete would be that expensive? I am saying this because we see these costs in our day-to-day life. You look at how much food costs, clothing, or whatever; everything has escalated in cost. Construction costs have increased significantly, especially the materials we deal with. It makes fundraising a challenge because we have a bigger target to reach.

What strategies do you have in place to navigate these economic challenges, especially from a funding perspective?

We have an internal philanthropy and marketing team that works together on our fundraising efforts. When I arrived here two years ago, the designs for the front entry project and manatee habitat were already underway. Our initial fundraising target was $52 million, and our philanthropy team had raised almost 90%+ of that. However, construction costs increased by $20 million once we got the actual costs from the contractor. Despite this setback, our dedicated fundraising team continues to persevere, making new connections and engaging people with our mission.

As a non-profit conservation organization, our mission includes educating both children and adults about wildlife and wild places. In an era of “nature deficit disorder,” it is crucial for children to have experiences that connect them to nature. Data shows that pro-environmental behavior develops at an early age, so our work is essential. We aim to convey to our donors that their investment supports not only the present but also the future, fostering good decisions that are positive for the environment. These pivotal experiences, like seeing an elephant up close or touching a lizard, can make a significant difference in children’s lives and their environmental behaviors.

What can you tell us about your master plan and its future projects?

Our master plan was completed in 2017, and four projects were pulled out under our Rezoovenation Capital Campaign. Those four projects were originally estimated at $50 million, which is now more than the cost of just one project. Overall, we are probably looking at around $210 million for the current and next three projects combined, due to the increase in costs.

Over the last six months, we have been working on a master plan “refresh”. We are not starting from scratch since we have already invested significant resources into the 2017 plan. This refresh focuses on seven specific items we felt were not in the right place. We have hired a zoo design team that has been collaborating with our senior leadership and frontline staff. They are helping us put together new concepts, which we expect to complete by the end of this month or early July. We will be sharing these exciting updates with everyone soon.

What are some of the educational efforts that the zoo has in place, including any notable programs?

Our education department is one of the most outgoing groups I have worked with in my 37 years in zoos. We have a variety of opportunities ranging from youth interpreters who become ambassadors for us once school ends, actively engaging with visitors and promoting our mission to Project Dragonfly, which allows individuals to pursue master’s degree level programming, furthering their education and involvement in conservation.

Additionally, we offer summer camps for both kids and adults, continuously expanding our educational repertoire to reach a broader audience. Our next major construction project is building a new education complex, a state-of-the-art facility that will replace our current entrance, which will be renovated for this purpose. This project reflects our commitment to addressing not just today’s needs but also planning for the future. The decisions we make now will impact the zoo for the next 25 to 50 years, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and space allocations.

Education is a cornerstone of our mission, alongside conservation. Accredited zoos serve as genetic reservoirs of species and provide living ambassadors to connect people with wildlife. Most of our guests will not have the opportunity to see these animals in their natural habitats, making the zoo experience crucial. Being nose-to-nose with a tiger or touching a snake creates a lasting impression that written information alone cannot achieve.

In today’s world, the role of modern zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens is more important than ever. People crave interaction with knowledgeable staff and animal care specialists, who can provide memorable, personal connections. For example, when guests speak with someone who cares for elephants or giraffes, they remember that experience far more vividly than reading a sign. This interaction is pivotal for fostering pro-environmental behaviors, particularly since data shows such behavior develops at an early age.

Moreover, we stress that conservation is a people problem—we have created the issues facing plants and animals, and it is up to us to solve them. Nature doesn’t need us, but we need nature for its ecosystem services. Many people live disconnected from these realities, so it is crucial for us, as a zoo and botanical garden, to make those connections and educate the public about the importance of preserving our ecosystems.

What are some key benefits of being with nature?

We do not spend as much time outside as we should, but the benefits are significant. Personally, I try to walk four or five miles a day. This helps with circulation, but it also provides much-needed relaxation and stress relief. Walking/hiking allows blood flow to the brain, which has been shown to have positive effects on memory and reducing the risk of dementia.

The natural environment is also incredibly calming. Mental exhaustion is often worse than physical exhaustion. Our zoo offers a safe place for people to walk and enjoy nature. We see many visitors daily who come here just to get their steps in. They enjoy the animals, the plants, and the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. It’s a great social environment and a wonderful way to stay active and connected to nature.

Looking forward to the next two to three years, what is your outlook for the zoo and the Jacksonville community?

There are a lot of exciting developments on the horizon for us. We will have a brand new entry by late 2025 or early 2026. Once the master plan “refresh” is complete, we will share the exciting news with the public. 

One of the highlights is an expansive elephant conservation facility, and another exciting addition in the master plan “refresh” is the Aqua-Terrarium, a 30,000 square foot hybrid between a herpetarium and an aquarium. This facility will feature desert, forest, and water galleries with reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Visitors will be able to spend up to an hour indoors, enjoying the exhibits. Additionally, this space can be rented out for corporate parties or family gatherings, providing protection from rain and extreme temperatures.

Another key development is addressing the need for more indoor, air-conditioned spaces. Historically, we have not needed many of these spaces in Florida, but with climate change, temperatures are increasing. In early June, for example, it is almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Jacksonville, which is more typical for late July or early August. So, we need more indoor facilities to offer visitors relief from the heat. We are planning these indoor facilities at both the north and south ends of our zoo. These developments will help maintain and potentially increase attendance, even as temperatures continue to rise.

Lastly, another significant project is our new education complex, set to hopefully be completed by 2027. This will further strengthen our connection with the local community, offering broader educational opportunities.

In addition to these developments, we are also planning a botanical master plan to introduce new gardens to our campus. Over the next decade, these initiatives will not only enhance the experience for our visitors but also attract tourists traveling through Florida.

We are also starting a green audit next year. We are hiring an environmental consulting group to help us develop a plan to become carbon neutral and improve our climate resiliency. Predictive models show that climate conditions, such as more intense hurricanes and increased flooding, will affect us. These insights will guide our planning and construction to ensure we are prepared for future environmental challenges.