The East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF) in Melbourne, Florida, has announced a $2.5 million gift from Blain and Annette Nelson in support of the future Aquarium and Conservation Center in Port Canaveral.

The gift will bolster the Canaveral Locks exhibit at the center, which is slated for groundbreaking in the fall of 2024. The second campus built by ECZF, which currently owns and operates Brevard Zoo, the center will focus on coastal conservation, environmental education, and the rehabilitation of imperiled marine species across Florida. The 2,615-square-foot building will model the locks at Port Canaveral, which enable cruise ships, fishing boats, recreational watercraft, and wildlife to move between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon. Previous commitments for the center include a $25 million commitment from an anonymous donor in 2021 and a $5 million gift from the DSF Charitable Foundation last year.

Before selling the company in 2022, Blain and Annette Nelson owned and operated Nelson Engineering on North Merritt Island for almost 30 years. In recognition of their gift, their names, along with the names of future donors, will be displayed at the Canaveral Locks.

“We are incredibly grateful for such a generous gift from the Nelson Family,” said Brevard Zoo CEO Keith Winsten. “Their philanthropic dedication will create a remarkable impact on the community and the environment they deeply cherish. The Locks will provide impactful, immersive experiences designed to convey the knowledge needed to empower change and inspire action toward a more sustainable future.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Boogich)