The Aquarium Project will be East Coast Zoological Foundation’s second campus located on a 14-acre site at Port Canaveral. Focused on the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding ecosystems, it will immerse more than 500,000 visitors annually in the region’s beauty and use local examples to teach universal lessons on caring for our waterways. Whether guests are visiting from Melbourne, Florida or Melbourne, Australia, they will leave with a better understanding of why and how to protect our natural resources.
The East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF) began its mission to protect wildlife and their habitats in 1986, first spearheading the effort with community leaders and thousands of volunteers to build Brevard Zoo, which opened in 1994. More than 16,000 people—from business owners and engineers to tradespeople and retirees—contributed their time and talents to build what is now one of the country’s largest independent zoos.
For three decades we have not wavered in our mission to stand up for the interconnected fates of people, animals and habitats – it is imperative we find solutions to thrive successfully, together. We do this work because it matters, not just to our local region, but to the world. Each time we are given a challenge, we know we must answer the call
Our Legacy Campaign (OLC) is a $100 million effort to create a world-class Aquarium and Conservation Center and support Brevard Zoo’s continued growth.
In September of 2021, we signed a lease agreement for a 14-acre site at Port Canaveral along the banks of the Banana River, close to cruise ship terminals, easily accessible from U.S. Highway A1A, and overlooking the water which we are striving to restore and protect.
We hope to open the new facility in early 2027. Groundbreaking is planned for late 2024 and will be followed by an estimated two years of construction and some time for our aquatic ambassadors to acclimate to their new homes once complete.
The Aquarium will showcase local species from the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding waterways, including sea turtles, bull sharks, alligators, tarpon, stingrays, manatees, and many more! We will not be housing dolphins or other cetaceans (dolphins and whales) at this facility.
The Aquarium will foster a deeper connection between visitors and the environment, inspiring behavior changes for conservation. It will also support vital research through the Coastal Conservation Hub, fund projects via visitor admissions, provide rehabilitation space for sea turtles and manatees, and foster the next generation of marine biologists and waterway stewards.
No, there will not be public boat access to the Aquarium. We will not have the infrastructure to function as a public marina, and one of our goals within this project is to leave the shoreline and immediate surroundings healthier than their current state. Boat access would require dredging a canal through the shallow bay and would cause further disruption of the natural ecosystem we are trying to highlight and preserve.
- Spread the Word: Help us reach more people by sharing our campaign through social media, requesting a presentation for your group. Let everyone know about this transformative project.
- Fundraising: Every contribution helps us reach our goal. If you or your organization/group would like to become Aquarium Founders, visit the Become a Founder page. Non-monetary support, like hosting events or donating auction items, also contributes to our success.
- Get Involved: If you want to help in other ways, please email divein@brevardzoo.org. Opportunities are available to help distribute materials, staff information tables, and engage with the community.
