Have you been to Turtle Back Zoo lately? When I first started going about 5 years ago with my oldest daughter, it wasn’t much to look at. However, if you’ve been there lately, you know that it’s wonderful. The grounds are beautiful, there’s a carousel, playground, face painting, and a nice collection of animal exhibits–my girls love the red panda. Now thanks to The Zoological Society of New Jersey it will soon have an aquarium.
The Zoological Society of New Jersey is celebrating its 35th anniversary – “the coral anniversary” – by donating an aquarium exhibit to the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. Expected to open this September, the aquarium will feature several tanks filled with exotic sea-living species from tropical locations around the world as well as a Scarlet Ibis bird exhibit. Last night, they offered a sneak peek to the press to show off how excited they are to acquire the aquarium and to get the word out that they need sponsors:

To help fund the upkeep of the aquarium and its colorful creatures, The Society is offering a limited number of sponsorships at various donation levels on a first-come basis. A tax-deductible sponsorship of the new aquarium is a unique way for individuals, organizations and businesses to support the conservation efforts of the Zoological Society of New Jersey and Turtle Back Zoo. As one of the state’s top 10 most visited tourist attractions (source: NJ BIZ), sponsors can expect their acknowledgment plaque to be viewed by approximately a half million visitors annually.
Sponsorship levels for the aquarium are available as follows:
• Exhibit naming rights $100,000
• 900 gallon reef tank $30,000
• 200 gallon Clown fish tank $15,000
• 200 gallon Lionfish tank $15,000
• 55 gallon Seahorse tank $5,000
• 55 gallon Invertebrate tank $5,000
• 55 gallon Jaw fish tank $5,000
• Scarlet Ibis exhibit $15,000
For more information about aquarium sponsorships and/or about the Zoological Society of New Jersey, please contact Connie Williams at 973-731-5800 x241.

Hmm…The Gilmore Girls Seahorse tank. I like the sound of that. Now I need to come up with the $5K.