Collier Resident Benefits at Naples Zoo

Thank You, Collier County Voters!

On election day 2004, 73% of the voters of Collier County endorsed the purchase of the land under the nonprofit Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens along with preservation of 70 acres of wild lands. Wonderfully, this landslide support from the community prevented the extinction of Naples Zoo.

Since then, with the help of The Trust for Public Land, the county purchased the land underneath Naples Zoo and surrounding land. Naples Zoo now operates on public land like other nonprofit accredited zoos across the nation do.

Unlike most of the nation's accredited zoos, however, public dollars do not support Naples Zoo operations. As stated in the 2004 ballot language, the taxpayers were not asked to buy Naples Zoo assets or provide funding for daily operations. Thus, while the land is owned by the county, the nonprofit Naples Zoo is not county owned or operated. In fact, Naples Zoo pays a minimum annual rent of $235,000 to the County. Naples Zoo must generate its own funding to care for the animals, create new exhibits, pay its rent, and continue its conservation and education programs.

Benefits for Collier Residents
In gratitude to the voters of Collier County, Naples Zoo offers citizens of Collier County benefits greater than many communities that annually spend millions to fund their zoos' operations.

Naples Zoo (a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization) began offering two exciting new benefits for Collier County residents on January 10th, 2005.

Of course, Naples Zoo requires financial support to operate - by paid admissions, memberships, corporate sponsorship, grants, and donations. So please, come visit on the free days, and we hope you'll like what you see, agree with the critical need of our conservation mission, and join in supporting the continued operations of your local Zoo so it will continue to be around for future generations to enjoy.

Thank you for your support of Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and conservation. The tremendous community support is most graciously appreciated and the board of directors and stewards of the Zoo and Gardens look forward to welcoming another 50 years of guests.

How to Prove Collier County Residency: A state issued photo ID with a Collier County address like a driver's license is the easiest form of ID. If you have an out of area photo ID, but own property in Collier County, just bring in a utility or tax bill for a property in Collier County with a matching name photo ID.

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"Americans place great value on accredited zoos and aquariums. The voters of Collier County also recognized that value when they agreed to purchase the Fleischmann land and allow Naples Zoo to continue operating on the site. In saving the land, the citizens of Collier County were richly rewarded. It is remarkable that, without public funding, the zoo offers its community a full free day every month of the year and a 50% discount on its memberships. Even more remarkable that Naples Zoo is able to do so while paying its local government a substantial lease and continuing to meet the rigorous standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "



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Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens     1590 Goodlette-Frank Road     Naples Florida 34102
ZooLine: (239) 262-5409    e-mail