Jacksonville Zoo’s Botanical Gardens are part of the attraction — and the work never stops

At the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the gardens aren’t just a backdrop for the animals. They’re part of the experience — and a year-round effort by a team of horticulturists.“We’ve always been the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, but we rebranded last year the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens,” said Curtis Dvorak, the zoo’s official Wildlife Wanderer. “We feel like just saying ‘and gardens’ is not quite giving it the emphasis that it needs, because our botanical gardens are world class.”From the entrance to the paths connecting animal habitats, the zoo’s plants are carefully planned and maintained. Designated areas include Savannah Blooms, Trout River Garden and the Asian gardens. The River of Color garden, Dvorak said, connects different parts of the zoo.“When somebody new comes to the zoo and I’m walking around as The Wanderer, somebody stops and goes, ‘Hey, real quick, can you tell me where the gardens are?’ And I’m like, ‘Turn around. They’re everywhere.’”A look behin