My Hometown: The Jacksonville Zoo

I love my city! I was born and raised here, and although it may not exactly be a tourist destination, Jacksonville has a lot to offer! We have wonderful local restaurants, beaches, history, and culture. I thought I would start a series where I share a little about my hometown, starting with our trip to the zoo!

I have such fond memories of going to the Jacksonville Zoo as a kid! It was always one of our favorite field trip destinations.   

I remember piling into the school bus with all my friends, carrying our lunches in brown paper bags and clutching a few dollars of spending money our moms gave us for a souvenir from the gift shop.

We loved walking through "Africa", "Asia", "Australia", and "South America", as well as learning about the animals native to our home state in "Wild Florida".

Usually we would have the opportunity to attend a special presentation where we learned more about the animals, conservation and ecology. We gained a deeper appreciation for these amazing creatures, and that appreciation and love has carried over into adulthood!

I remember learning about animals who were on the endangered list, and those on the critically endangered list, and even as a child it made me sad to think that we might lose certain species of animals. How sad to think that future generations would not have the opportunity to see and interact with the incredible creatures we are able to enjoy today, simply because we are not responsible with being good stewards of God's gifts.

Since then they have done many updates and improvements to the zoo, making the enclosures and environments more of a natural habitat for the animals, and allowing for more interactive experiences. It's a win-win for everyone! 

I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful place nearby to spend a day enjoying nature and so many   beautiful and majestic animals! 

When was the last time you went to the zoo? 

To learn more about the Jacksonville Zoo, check it out here.