Summary of Brevard Zoo‘s Aquarium Project Receives $2 Million Gift from Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation:
The Brevard Zoo in Florida has received a $2 million gift from Ron Jon’s founder, Ron DiMenna, and his wife, Lynne DiMenna. The donation will be used to construct the Zoo’s Aquarium and Conservation Center entrance complex. Half of the gift will come from Ron Jon Surf Shop, while the other half will be a Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation grant. The entrance complex will be named after Ron Jon Surf Shop and the foundation. It will feature various amenities, exhibits, and an interactive dune exhibit showcasing the Zoo’s beach mouse conservation program. The construction of the Aquarium is expected to begin in 2024, with an opening planned for 2027. The project is part of the zoo’s $100 million fundraising campaign.
– Brevard Zoo has received a generous $2 million gift from Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation.
– The donation will help construct the beach-themed Zoo’s Aquarium and Conservation Center entrance complex.
– The complex will include various features such as an interactive dune exhibit and tanks showcasing marine life.
– The Aquarium is a once-in-a-generation project to revolutionize coastal conservation and environmental education in Central Florida.
– The project is expected to attract tourists and create jobs, supporting the local economy.
The Brevard Zoo in Cape Canaveral, Florida, has recently announced a remarkable and incredibly generous $2 million gift from Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation. This substantial donation will go towards constructing the beach-themed entrance complex at the Zoo’s world-class Aquarium and Conservation Center.
The donation comprises $1 million from Ron Jon Surf Shop, a renowned retail company, and another $1 million as a grant from Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation. This gift represents the third-largest private donation to the Brevard Zoo’s Our Legacy Campaign, a $100 million community fundraising effort to build the future Aquarium.
Thanks to this remarkable contribution, the beach-themed entrance complex at the Aquarium will be named in honor of Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation. This 17,510-square-foot complex will serve as the first area visitors will encounter upon arriving at the Aquarium. It will encompass a covered entry, an orientation gallery, ticketing, restrooms, guest services, a gift shop, and a sea turtle nesting exhibit, among other features. The centerpiece of the complex will be an interactive dune exhibit designed to resemble real coastal dunes, showcasing the conservation program for the Perdido Key beach mouse led by Brevard Zoo.
Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation has supported the beach mouse conservation program since 2020, and their grants have exceeded $55,000. In recognition of their generous support, the complex will feature signage acknowledging Ron Jon Surf Shop and the foundation’s contributions. Additionally, the complex will house captivating tanks such as the Bait Ball Tank, Under the Weed Line Tank, and Near Shore Reef Tank, adding color and appeal to the visitors’ first experience at the Aquarium.
Brevard Zoo’s CEO, Keith Winsten, expressed his joy and gratitude, stating that Ron Jon Surf Shop’s iconic brand in East Central Florida makes this donation particularly special. He believes that this exceptional gift will substantially impact the Zoo’s ability to bring the world-class facility to life. The Aquarium is a visionary project aiming to conserve and celebrate the coastal ecosystems and wildlife of the region, ranging from magnificent manatees to the tiniest beach mouse.
The groundbreaking for the Aquarium is expected to take place in the fall of 2024, with a planned opening in early 2027. Spanning 14 acres along the Banana River at Port Canaveral, the Aquarium will reflect Brevard Zoo’s unique aesthetic and enable visitors to form meaningful connections with Florida’s marine life and coastal ecosystems. Apart from the beach-themed entrance complex, the Aquarium will feature various exhibits such as the Manatee Critical Care Center and Habitat, Sea Turtle Care Complex, Shark Flats, Ray Encounter, Alligator Alley, Otter Run, and a tarpon feeding experience.
The project is projected to create over 900 jobs and attract more than 300,000 tourists annually, engaging at least 525,000 visitors annually. Aside from its economic impact, the Aquarium will serve as a hub for environmental education and conservation efforts, inspiring visitors to develop a profound sense of stewardship towards the region’s beaches, waterways, and the diverse species that rely on them.
With the generous $2 million gift from Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, Brevard Zoo has achieved an important milestone in its $100 million Our Legacy Campaign. Since the campaign’s launch in December 2021, the Zoo has received over $67 million in committed funds, crossing the two-thirds mark.
The Zoo’s CEO expressed immense gratitude to Ron Jon Surf Shop, the DiMenna family, and the Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation for their extraordinary generosity. He emphasized that their combined contribution has propelled the Our Legacy Campaign forward and will inspire future generations to conserve and cherish the beaches, waterways, and the remarkable species that inhabit them.
In conclusion, the Brevard Zoo’s Aquarium Project received a $2 million gift from Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation. This remarkable donation will support the construction of a beach-themed entrance complex that will be named in recognition of Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation. The Aquarium is a visionary endeavor that aims to revolutionize coastal conservation, environmental education, and the rehabilitation of imperiled marine species in Central Florida. With incredible exhibits and interactive experiences, the Aquarium will create an exciting and educational destination for visitors while supporting the local economy. This generous gift brings Brevard Zoo closer to its $100 million Our Legacy Campaign goal. It will inspire a deep passion for conserving our natural treasures for generations.
