Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Party for the Planet at Jacksonville Zoo for Earth Day

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Guests can “Party for the Planet!” during the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ Earth Day celebration on Saturday and Sunday, April 24-25, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Environmental and animal conservation experts will have booths set up for visitors to learn and collect valuable information on how to preserve our earth and its wildlife for future generations. Guests can also enjoy live entertainment, animal encounters, animal enrichment, visits from Jazoo, the Zoo’s friendly lion mascot, and a children’s activity area that will include eco-friendly crafts, a bounce house, a giant inflatable slide and prize drawings. An activity schedule is posted on the Zoo’s Web site at www.jacksonvillezoo.org. This event is sponsored by JM Family Enterprises, Inc. and Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC.

“It is important to us as a company to support initiatives in our community that raise awareness about the environment and conservation,” said Bob Moore, vice president and general manager of vehicle processing for Southeast Toyota. “We have been a proud partner of the Jacksonville Zoo for years and are excited to be part of this educational Earth Day celebration.”

Special admission offer: guests can get $2 off regular admission when they bring in a minimum of 5 pounds of paper or any electronic waste (items that are powered by batteries or electricity) to recycle. This discount cannot be combined with any other discount or offer and is only available April 24 and 25, 2010.

The Party for the Planet celebration is an annual event sponsored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Zoos from all over the country that are members of the AZA participate. For more information about conservation and how you can help, visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org or www.aza.org.

In conjunction with Party for the Planet, the Zoo will also have its inaugural Walk for the Planet, a non-competitive two mile family fun walk, to benefit Zoo conservation efforts. Walk for the Planet will occur Saturday, April 24, at 7:30 a.m. It is open to walkers of all ages and is stroller and handicap friendly. Each registered walker will receive a free commemorative t-shirt, entrance into the Walk for the Planet post-party and admission into the Zoo.

Walkers can register online at http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/index.php/events/event_details/earth_day_celebration_-_party_for_the_planet for the following fees:
Non-Members:
Zoo Members:
$25 for adult
$20 for adult
$15 for child (ages 3-12)
$10 for child (ages 3-12)
$50 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children and $10 for each additional child)
$40 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children and $10 for each additional child)

Children 2 and under are free, but they do not receive t-shirts or participant bibs. All proceeds benefit the conservation efforts of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, a non-profit organization.

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,400 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. The Jacksonville Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). It is open year-round, seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95. The Zoo is open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day. For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.
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Earth Day on Jekyll Island – Shell-E-Brate

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Shell-e-brate Earth Day’s 40th birthday at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island. The event features recycled crafts, earth-tastic activities and eco-entertainment for the whole family with a special turtle twist!

Also, The Georgia Conservancy and Right Whale Disentanglement Team will be on site for a whale of a time! You can view metal art by local artist Tyler Dominey, get your copy of Trouble on the St. John’s River signed by author Jane Wood or learn about wildfire safety with Jekyll Island Firewise.

Noon to 4pm in Jekyll Island’s historic district at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The event is free with paid admission to the Center. $6 for adults, $4 for children 4-12, and children 3 and under are free.

www.Georgia Sea Turtle Center.com

St Johns River Celebration Cleanup 2010

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This is the 15th Annual St. Johns River Celebration Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 8 – 11:30 a.m. (for most locations). The event  is Jacksonville’s kick-off event for the Florida Great American Cleanup.  This local effort combines with national and regional volunteer efforts to clean and protect the environment.

Come out and do your part and help collect litter and debris. The clean up will take place in several different locations across the Jacksonville area. At each location site captains will be on hand to register volunteers and hand out trash bags, gloves and tickets.

Your tickets can then be redeemed for refreshments and t-shirts from
noon – 2 p.m. at Metropolitan Park downtown Jacksonville, while supplies last.

Students can receive community service hour certificates.
Scouts may earn badges for two volunteer hours at the cleanup.
While supplies last. Pre-registration is not required.

Volunteers who are under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

To learn more, call Keep Jacksonville Beautiful at (904) 630-3420
or visit www.coj.net

St. Johns River Celebration 2010 Cleanup Sites

Click here to view a map of the 2010 sites

ï‚· Urban
o Warren W. Schell Jr. Memorial Park, 510 W. Sixth St. (32206)
o Henry J. Klutho Park, 635 Third St. (32206)
Parking and sign in at 1200 Blk. Boulevard & 100 Blk. 2nd. Street

ï‚· Arlington/Beaches
o Blue Cypress Park, 4012 University Blvd. N. (32277)
o Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, 500 Wonderwood Road (32223)
(Volunteers must check in at park gate by 9:30 a.m. to participate at this site.)
o Helen Cooper Floyd Park (formerly Little Jetties), 3600 S.R. A1A
(32233)

 Riverside
o Yacht Basin Park, 2941 St. Johns Ave. (32205)

 Westside
oTillie Fowler Regional Park, 7000 Roosevelt Blvd. (32244)

ï‚· Southeast
o Hood Landing Boat Ramp, 12925 Hood Landing Road (32223)
o Burnett Park, 3740 Burnett Park Road (32257)
o Goody’s Creek Boat Ramp, 9145 San Jose Blvd. (32257)
o River Oaks Park, 1000 River Oaks Road
o All Wet Sports/Beach Boulevard Boat Ramp, 8508 Beach Blvd.
A personal kayak, canoe or boat is required for this site. Participants use water vessels at their own risk.

ï‚· Southwest
o Azalea Creek/Boone Park, 3700 Park St. (32205)
o Fishweir Creek, 4000 block of St. Johns Avenue
o Ringhaver Park, 5198 118th St. (32244)
o Wayne B. Stevens Boat Ramp, 4555 Ortega Farms Blvd. (32210)

ï‚· Northeast
o Rolliston Park, 7505 Rolliston Road (32208)
o Huguenot Memorial Park, 10980 Hecksher Drive (32226)

ï‚· Northwest
o Harborview Boat Ramp, (north side Ribault River) 4100 Harborview Drive (32208)
o T. K. Stokes Boat Ramp, 2120 Riverview St. (32208)
o Henry L. Brown Kooker Park, 1400 East 20th Street (32206)
o Hollybrook Park, 2805 McCoys Creek Blvd. (32254) (volunteers sign in at basketball court)

ï‚· North
o Oceanway Community Center and Park, 12215 Sago Ave. (32218)
exception: cleanup 9-11am
o North Shore Park, 7901 Pearl St. (32208)

Flip the Bird? Only in Georgia…

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When I was reading my twitter stream today, @dizzygirl pointed out a story about the state bird that I found interesting.

The state bird in Georgia is the brown thrasher. But now, there is a movement trying to change the state bird from the Brown Thrasher to the chicken.

Their argument – the chicken makes more of an economic impact.
Here are a few of the interesting facts from the website:

  • Georgia broiler production accounts for 16% of the nation’s total.
  • By the beginning of World War II, chickens had replaced cotton as Georgia’s leading agricultural moneymaker.
  • More than 47,000 Georgians are employed by the poultry industry directly.

    • Take a look at the video below – and make sure to post your comments below – I’m interested to hear what you think!

    It makes you wonder about the other state birds. Do they contribute to the economy? And what about the plants? What do they do?

    For more information, visit www.flipthebirds.com

    Southeastern Wildlife Exposition 2010

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    Every year in February, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition takes over Charleston. This year SEWE is returning for its 28th year. It is the largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation, so this is an event you don’t want to miss.

    The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is traditionally held in the weekend before President’s Day. The popular event attracts over 35,000 attendees to Charleston, South Carolina. During the event attendees get the opportunity to enjoy world-class original art, a wide variety exhibits and presentations.

    For more information, tickets and detailed schedule, visit www.sewe.com or call 843-723-1748.