The new VyStar SkyScape entrance welcomes guests into a transformed space to inspire conservation, education and belonging.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – VyStar Credit Union and Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens celebrated the debut of the VyStar SkyScape, alongside more than 500 donors ushering in a new era of community and connection while honoring the Zoo’s commitment to conservation. More than a new entrance, the debut of the VyStar SkyScape marks a shared investment in a place where families gather, learning begins, and conservation comes to life, strengthening the connection between community and purpose from the moment guests arrive.
“The VyStar SkyScape reflects the power of strategic partnerships to drive economic vitality and elevate Jacksonville as a destination on the national and global stage that brings people from all over together,” said Brian Wolfburg, VyStar President/CEO. “By investing alongside community partners in Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens that welcomes more than one million visitors each year, we’re helping strengthen tourism, support education and conservation, while reinforcing Jacksonville’s role as a city where meaningful experiences and shared prosperity can thrive.”
The Zoo also unveiled the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River habitat, a 330,000-gallon critical care facility dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing Florida manatees, reinforcing its national leadership in conservation and animal care. The grand opening of the space scheduled for March 6 comes at a milestone moment for Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, recently ranked as one of the top zoos (No. 4) in the United States and is again nominated for Best Zoo as part of the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
“This project reflects a long‑standing partnership with VyStar rooted in a shared commitment to Jacksonville,” said Dr. Jeff Ettling, President/CEO of Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens. “Their continued support has helped us enhance the guest experience while staying focused on our mission, ensuring the Zoo remains a place that inspires connection, learning, and conservation for generations.”
For VyStar, the partnership represents another example of its longstanding commitment to investing in initiatives that strengthen communities across Northeast Florida and beyond. Through philanthropic giving, volunteerism, and strategic partnerships, VyStar continues to champion organizations that align with its purpose of doing good and creating meaningful connections.
“Strong communities are built when everyone has access to experiences that bring people together,” added Dana Karzan, VyStar Chief Marketing Officer. “Through member discounts offered via VyStar Perks and opportunities like our Good is everywhere free member days, we’re helping ensure families can enjoy the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens at discounted or no cost. We’re proud to support the Zoo’s next chapter through the VyStar SkyScape and to be part of a partnership that makes learning, conservation, and connection accessible to all.”
To learn more about the Zoo’s future vision, visit jacksonvillezoo.org/rezoovenation.