Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is proud to announce the launch of the Conservation Leaders Collective (CLC), a dynamic new young professionals group designed to connect emerging leaders with a passion for conservation and community engagement. This initiative aims to inspire the next generation of community leaders by providing opportunities to engage in conservation efforts, support the mission of the Zoo, and grow their personal and professional networks.
The Conservation Leaders Collective is open to professionals in their 20s and 30s who are committed to wildlife conservation and eager to make a difference. Members will gain exclusive access to unique experiences, including behind-the-scenes zoo tours, volunteer projects, guest lectures from local leaders and conservation experts, and social events designed to support the Zoo and its conservation initiatives.
“At Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, we believe conservation is a collective effort,” said President and CEO Jeff Ettling, Ph.D. “Now more than ever, young professionals are looking for ways to make a difference in their careers and in their communities, and the Conservation Leaders Collective offers them a meaningful way to do so.”
The Collective is actively recruiting new members and will hold a kickoff event at the Zoo on April 8, coinciding with National Zoo Lovers Day. Attendees will meet the Collective’s Leadership Council, learn more about the group, upcoming events and initiatives, and how to become a member or get involved. Young professionals interested in becoming a member are encouraged to register for the event HERE.
The Conservation Leaders Collective encourages members to apply their unique experiences and skill sets by participating in various committees that will help grow and shape the future of the group while making a tangible impact both locally and globally. To learn more about the Collective and how it supports Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org/conservation-leaders-collective.
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About Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
For over 100 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has aimed to inspire the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experiences in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection of one red deer fawn, the Zoo now has more than 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 species of plants, boasting the largest botanical garden in Northeast Florida. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a nonprofit organization and a portion of every ticket sold goes to the over 45 conservation initiatives Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens supports around the world, and here in NE Florida. JZG is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For more information, visit jacksonvillezoo.org.