Learning More About SOIRL

Early voting opens on Oct. 19! Brevard County residents it's time to turn out at vote yes to renew the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Half-Cent Sales Tax (SOIRL).For almost 10 years, the SOIRL Half-Cent Sales Tax has invested in science-based projects to reduce pollution, improve water quality, restore natural ecosystems, and more, in the Indian River Lagoon. A Citizens Oversight Committee works to ensure these projects using the best tools and techniques for restoring the Indian River Lagoon – among many other tasks.  Listen to the most recent episode of our podcast, Paws for a Moment, to learn more about this committee from Science Member Don Deis!  

Brevard County residents, the Indian River Lagoon needs YOU! This November, you'll spot a renewal of the Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) half-cent sales tax on your ballot. For nearly 10 years now, this tax has supported the steady progress we've seen bringing our lagoon back to health through science-based projects that reduce pollution, improve water quality, restore natural ecosystems, and more.  Want to learn more about SOIRL? Check out the latest episode of our podcast, Paws for a Moment with Brevard Zoo, to learn more from our very own Tyler Provoncha along with Virginia Barker, the Director of Brevard County's Natural Resources Management Department. 

How do you feel about snakes? Lots of you listeners may feel a bit weary when it comes to our reptilian friends. However, we're here to change that! Zookeepers Jenna Baiamonte and Kaitlyn Cupp give us an overview of all our Zoo's snake residents, from their quirky personalities to their daily routines. Snakes play incredibly important roles in their respective ecosystems, and we hope by the end of this episode you'll have a newfound appreciation for these slithering friends. 

While Life Support Services (LSS) may not be the first words you think of when you think of zookeepers, these trained aquarists are essential to the wellbeing of all our Zoo residents. Their work ensures all our animals, from our aquatic dwellers like our Southern and Atlantic stingrays to our water-lovers like our giant otters, have safe water to live in or enjoy. Learn more from our Life Support Manager, Jeremy Bray, about how his team's work impacts the day-to-day of our Zoo!

Happy National Zookeeper Week to all of our incredible animal care team! Learn more about this impactful field through this interview with Brevard Zoo keepers Jenna and Garrett!

What is anthropomorphism, and what role does it play in our perception of animal behavior? This podcast episode, we're joined by Curator of Animal Wellbeing Chelsea Herman and Herps & Aquatics Area Supervisor Jenna Hazard to chat about how anthropomorphism can both harm and help our understanding of animal behavior from a human perspective.

Shorebird nesting season is here! This week, we're speaking with conservation coordinator Yagen to learn a little more about what monitoring our county's native shorebird populations looks like during one of the most important times of the year for these species! Find out what a chick-a-boom is, what bird makes a call that sounds like a puppy's bark and more. 

Over the past years, our Zoo and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Bear Management team have led a joint effort in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sick, injured or orphaned Florida black bear cubs all over the state. Today, we're joined by our Director of Animal programs, Lauren Hinson, and FWC's Bear Management Coordinator, Mike Orlando, to chat about what it takes to rehabilitate a bear cub and why these cubs depend on our help.

Learn all about the incredible conservation feats our Restore Our Shores team accomplished last year in 2025. From building 52,000 square feet of oyster reef to expanding our seagrass plantings, there's a lot you don't want to miss. 

This episode, we're joined by Senior Conservation Manager Becca Downey to chat about our behind-the-scenes Manatee Rehabilitation Center, how we care for manatee patients and the process of intaking a new patient.