Nashville Zoo sits on a sprawling 188-acres of land filled with thousands of trees that provide shade to its animals and visitors. In 1964, the land the Zoo resides was generously donated to the city by the Croft family under a condition that it had to be used as a nature study area. Now, 62 years later, the land is used exactly for that purpose – to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership.

Nashville Zoo is home to over 300 tree species, including a Southern Magnolia tree that is over 100 years old. These species support a budding biodiversity for visitors to experience and learn from. The Zoo’s Horticulture department works to create immersive experiences for the Zoo’s guests through thoughtful design in and outside the exhibits. Each habitat is carefully crafted to meet the unique needs of its residents. Through creative horticultural installations, Nashville Zoo immerses guests into the animals’ world by helping them experience what it is like in these faraway biomes. The goal is to recreate habitats that mimic an animal’s specific biome while utilizing plants native to the area. Every detail, from the animals’ comfort to the guest’s perspective, is designed to bring people closer to nature while making sure our animals feel right at home.