Tampa, Fla. (January 24, 2023) – It was a morning full of community, collaboration, and color at ZooTampa at Lowry Park following the ribbon cutting for the zoo’s new educational installation featuring the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The morning’s event recognized the partnerships that helped bring this memorable project to life. The interactive installation is the result of a collaboration between ZooTampa, FWCF and the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. Tours will be offered through February, allowing patrons to learn more about the wildlife in the Florida Wildlife Corridor as well as how they can co-exist with the diverse species that call Florida home.
“I am beyond grateful to our amazing partners and the team at ZooTampa in helping us find unique ways to highlight the vital role the Florida Wildlife Corridor plays in our state’s ecology and economy,” said Mallory Dimmitt, Chief Executive Officer at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. “Tampa Bay is growing rapidly and it is our hope that by partnering with ZooTampa we will be able to emphasize the importance of conserving and connecting the Corridor today because, once lost, the lands are gone forever.”
“I was born and raised in Tampa, and as Mayor, I feel responsible for fostering community spirit in our space and within our beautiful state,” said Mayor Jane Castor, City of Tampa. “The Florida Wildlife Corridor installation does just that through impactful visuals and connecting Tampa to the Florida Wildlife Corridor as a whole. We are honored to be included in this statewide effort as we celebrate the Corridor and foster Corridor Pride.”
“We are excited to feature the interactive installation in our new Florida Wilds area focusing on the key role of the Florida Wildlife Corridor,” said Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, ZooTampa’s Senior Vice President of Animal Health, Conservation, and Education. “We always aim to redefine what a zoo can be with beautiful and immersive habitats, compelling guest experiences, and an unyielding commitment to saving wildlife. This new installation will help educate the more than 1.2 million local residents and visitors who visit the Zoo to experience and learn about our state’s ecosystem and diverse wildlife.”
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About ZooTampa at Lowry Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to excellence in conservation, education, recreation and research. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is recognized as central Florida’s leading and most attended zoological cultural institution. ZooTampa is an eight-time winner of the Certificate of Excellence award by TripAdvisor (2010-2018) and is a leader in the rehabilitation and care of Florida species. The Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa, and is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours for select events. For more information, visit www.zootampa.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation
The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation champions a collaborative campaign to permanently connect, protect and restore the Florida Wildlife Corridor – a statewide network of connected lands and waters that supports wildlife and people. The organization uses rich storytelling, rooted in science, to heighten the visibility of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and inspire protection of the missing links in the Corridor. To learn more, visit floridawildlifecorridor.org or connect on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.