Your Vote Can Change The World
Quarters for Conservation is an exciting new initiative at Brevard Zoo that will greatly enhance our wildlife conservation work. Through the collection of quarters, we’ll provide funding for new and existing conservation projects. This program provides an opportunity to engage our staff and our community in the effort while also significantly expanding our contribution to wildlife conservation in our region and around the globe.
Thank you to all of our guests for voting to support Quarters for Conservation projects. Your tokens raised more than $43,886 in 2011 for local and international conservation projects! The money produced by the Quarters for Conservation program between April and June 2012 will support the international projects listed below.
How it Works:
From the fees you pay to the Zoo, we will allocate the following amounts to conservation projects:
-
$0.25 from each admission fee
-
$2.50 from each family membership
On every visit, you'll receive a "quarter" token that enables you to vote for a conservation project that inspires you. Learn all you can about the projects we’re supporting this year (see below), because your vote can change the world. Your vote is important and helps us determine how much funding each project receives. Project information and the voting station is right past the turnstiles under the breezeway. Additional votes can be made with real quarters - 100% of any added contributions will go toward the voted project. Total contributions are calculated annually from January to December.
Help Support These Projects:
Protect the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow
The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus), a bird measuring 5 inches (13cm), is a critically endangered species native to the prairies of Florida. The population counts tell the story: In 1997, the population was 298. In 2002, the population dropped to 162 and currently there is an estimated population of below 100 birds!
The majority of remaining sparrows live on a 5,000 acre parcel on the Avon Park United States Air Force bombing range. It was once widespread in Florida however, the conversion of its native habitat to pasture lands has had devastating effects. Its nests are often inadvertently mowed down when machinery clears fields. The sparrow, left with no cover, is vulnerable to predators.
Brevard Zoo is currently working with Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission and USFWS to determine next steps in recovering this important sparrow, endemic to Florida.
Photo credits, in order displayed: CL Evans, Danny Bales, Flaudubonaction.org
Restore and Protect Florida’s Mangroves and Oyster Reefs
Help Brevard Zoo restore local mangrove habitats in partnership with the Dept. of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Indian River Lagoon Shoreline Restoration Program. Mangroves are more than just 
a plant - they protect our shorelines from erosion and storm surge, improve water quality and clarity, as well as provide an essential habitat that supports many animals including sport fish and commercially important Florida marine species.
Oysters face a number of threats including overharvesting, habitat degradation, reduced water quality, disease, and boat wakes. Oystersare filter feeders that improve water quality and clarity by filtering water - one oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day! Oysters are also a food source and provide habitat for many species of fish, birds and invertebrates, and oyster reefs stabilize and protect shorelines.
Photo credits, in order displayed: sjrwmd.com, Nature.org, Orlando Sentinel
Saving Florida’s Imperiled Atala
Brevard Zoo will soon be home to the Atala Butterfly (Eumaeus atala), one of Florida's most colorful insects. The main foodplant for the Atala is a native cycad called coontie (Zamia pumila). Large scale harvesting of coontie for starch 
during the late 1800's greatly reduced the number of coontie, resulting in a sharp decline of the Atala butterfly. Development of habitat favored by the Atala also had a huge impact, and by 1965 there was only one colony left.
Dedicated conservationists provided coontie plants for the few remaining butterflies to lay their eggs and new colonies were established. The Atala has made a recovery but further efforts are needed to stabilize the population. Brevard Zoo has agreed to provide a safe home for the captive propagation of the Atala butterfly in order to provide specimens for a reintroduction program.
