11/18/2024
Our team has been hard at work remodeling our former floor-plans. With this updated change many aspects of the original design have changed. This change was done to help educate and inform about how all of the water ways across the globe are connected and how each parts conservation is crucial to the entire system.
As guest enter they will be directed to the right where they will encounter the "World of Rivers" where you will be fully immersed into a forest that represents the many forest that surround global rivers. Experience the many different freshwater species of the world, while lemurs climb in the forest canopy overhead. Demonstrating how even terrestrial species use and need these crucial water ways.
Continuing forward guest can get a look inside our OceansLab. This laboratory will host space for local students and research to take place. It will also host some of our coral fragmentation and growing operations to help revitalize reefs in the Florida Keys.
Guest will then make there way to the start of the St. Johns river with Exhibits that represent Lake George and the surrounding springs. As guest continue down this side of the aquarium they will be taken further through the river to eventually reach exhibits representing Jacksonville's part of the river and get to experience our North American River Otters. This journey will help tell the story of the St. Johns and its importance to Floridas ecosystem.
As this journey continues guest can see exhibits showcasing the waters close to shore in our "Costal Adventures" gallery. With an interactive Sting Ray touch tank, Ray Bay, as well as a mangrove forest and other species you might find at or near the beach.
As guest make there way past the coast they will be enter the "Ocean Reefs" where two lively 24 foot long reefs with live corals will represent the reefs found in the Florida Keys and reefs found in the Indo-Pacific. Also surrounded by other exhibits showcasing the species that call these reefs home. A 30 foot long kelp forest will also showcase the waters off of the US's Pacific Coast.
Guest will then make there way out into the "Open Seas" gallery. A large open space where multiple events can be held. Holding over 300,000 gallons of water guest will experience many of the worlds open water species. Such as over 5 species of Sharks!
Before exiting this journey that we have taken across the world, down rivers, to the middle of the ocean, and to beautiful reefs, a theater that showcases a short educational film that explains how everything that was just experienced is interconnected and crucial for the planet will be offered at no additional cost.
If you are interested in helping with this project please visit https://jacksonvilleaquarium.org/index.php/donors/