Sharing Our Joy of Nature to Help Wildlife And People Thrive

WE Protect Wildlife

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.
accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums

Roll Over Image to See Impact

Recognized as one of the most highly respected animal wellness programs in the nation
This year

62,000 PEOPLE

were impacted by
Brevard Zoo's EDZOOCATIONAL programs.
We have rehabilitated

OVER 207

sick and injured sea turtles
in our Sea Turtle Healing Center
and returned them to the wild.
Restoring our local waterways by building

OVER 1.7 MILES OF OYSTER REEFS,

seeding clam beds, and planting seagrass, and recreating natural shorelines by planting mangroves and other native plants.
Florida Grasshopper Sparrows are the United States' most endangered bird. We, along with our partners, are helping to breed them back from the brink of extinction.
We step up for animals in need, like critically endangered species, orphaned bear cubs, or spider monkeys confiscated from illegal traffickers.

Board of directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Beth Gitlin
, President
Principal/Founder, BJG Global Consulting, Professor

William (Bill) Moore, President Elect
President/CEO, Zoo Miami Foundation

Michael Cerow, Immediate Past President
Partner, Carr, Riggs & Ingram

William Glenn Young, Treasurer

Hope Fisher, Secretary

Julie Harrison, Vice President, Governance

Linda May, Vice President, Philanthropy
Owner, LMAYCO, Inc.

Luke Miorelli, Vice President, Planning

BOARD MEMBERS

Jim Barfield, President/CEO, Luke & Associates, Inc.

Jacqueline Barker, President/CEO, SKY Advertising

Joseph Klein, DKN Legal, PLLC

Vince Lamb, Chair, Indian River Lagoon Coalition

Ann Luke, Senior Vice President, Truist Bank

Peter Mannino, President, Bank of America/Merrill, East Central FL

Alan Marumoto, Physician, University Center Imaging

Dawn Mays, Chief Strategy Officer, Call One Inc & Hello Direct

Heather McDonough, CPA, McDonough CPA Solutions, PA

Scott Miller, Senior VP Sales & Community Development, The Viera Co.

Lew Schwartz

Natasha Cartagena Spencer, Sr. VP, Shelter Mortgage Company

Mary Ann Sperando, President, Sperando Family Foundation, Owner, CNS Properties/E-Marketing Technologies/Yellow Page Directory Services

Dolores (Dee) Waldron, IBM Retired

Barbara Wall-Scanlon, Broker-Associate, Berkshire Hathaway-Florida Realty

Patty Ziegler, Owner, CCCS

Milo Zonka, Aviation Real Estate VP, Sheltair Aviation

DIRECTORS EMERITUS

Darlene Evans-Borinski, Sr. Director of Finance, DNC Parks & Resorts at KSC

Leasha Flammio-Watson, CFP/President, Flammio Financial Group LLC

Elaina Garvin, Financial Advisor, Stifel

Toni George, VP Financial Planning & Analysis, Harris Corp.