The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $2,500,000 in federal funding to the east coast zoological society (ECZS) of florida in melbourne, florida for the project…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $2.5 million to the East Coast Zoological Society of Florida, Inc. (operating as Brevard Zoo) under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program (CFDA 11.469) for the Coastal Conservation Hub project. The award, effective October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2027, funds the construction of a 24,000 square-foot science center named the Dr. Duane Dee Freese Coastal Conservation Hub. All project funds are designated for construction costs to be executed by a general contractor to be selected.

The Coastal Conservation Hub will serve as a dedicated facility for strengthening the conservation and management of coastal and marine resources in Central Florida. The science center will include classrooms, laboratories, and workspace designed to support educational programming, research, and workforce development in marine and coastal conservation. This project aligns with NOAA's mission to facilitate education, research, and development in marine and atmospheric science while providing infrastructure to support these activities, as authorized under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program.

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $2,500,000 in federal funding to the east coast zoological society (ECZS) of florida in melbourne, florida for the project titled coastal conservation hub. With these funds, ECZS aims to strengthen the conservation and management of coastal and marine resources within central florida through the creation of the DR. Duane DEE freese coastal conservation huba 24,000 square foot science center with classrooms, labs and workspace. Specifically, all funds will be used to cover construction costs of the conservation center by a to-be-selected general contractor.