The mission of Jim Fowler’s Life in the Wild Adventure Park is to be a “Center for the Natural World,” to provide an educational facility that can be a “living laboratory” for the schools and institutions of the area, to encourage an interest in and a respect for the natural world among all people and to teach how we, humans, are a part of the earth’s ecosystem. The mission is not just to save animals and trees, but to preserve a quality of life for all human beings!

Jim Fowler

Jim Fowler, considered to be one of the world’s leading experts in wildlife and today’s best known naturalist, has worked together with Exploration to create an educational wildlife attraction that fosters a greater understand and respect for nature.

Mr. Fowler has been a well known wildlife correspondent to NBC’s Today Show since 1988, co-host and later host of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” and noted regular, favorite of viewers and host, guest of “The Tonight Show,” starring Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.

Jim Fowler’s Life in the Wild

Jim Fowler’s Life in the Wild

This singularly unique educational wildlife adventure park is planned to establish new standards for familyentertainment and wildlife enthusiasts. The Park willserve as the anchor attraction for the community Exploration.

It will be one of the largest safari adventure parks inAmerica. The native and exotic animals will have access to large “free roaming” and ecologically correct habitats where they will be able to live in a way similar to their way of life in the wild.

Life in the Wild will not be a conventional “wildlife park” or “zoo.” The animals on display will not come from the wild. Instead, they will have been born in zoos, confiscated, or orphaned.

Jim Fowler’s VisionThe Jim Fowler’s Life in the Wild Park is holistically planned in Jim

Fowler’s

vision:

• First, there is a need for a new, more effective approach to nature science education. When existing wildlife programs are judged according to their results, it becomes clear that a better and healthier approach is needed.

• Second, placing a higher priority on the world of nature is critical for our overall sustainability. Both the world of nature and the world of humans are confined to the same planet and our “control” is temporary unless we learn to respect and work better with nature.

It has become obvious that wildlife, wilderness and open spaces are

disappearing at a rapid rate. Animals are being displaced from their habitats,

poisoned and poached upon more than ever. If we separate people from

animals, there may not be enough people who care. Presenting safe, people-

friendly animal “ambassadors” before the public may serve to focus our

attention on the demise of the natural world. Jim Fowler has predicted that the

park will be a “wildlife resort for animals and people” alike.

The Jim Fowler’s Life in the Wild Interpretive CenterThe Experience

The Philosophy of the Park will greet families immediately upon their arrival. They will enter a one of a kind world blending rural nature with the element of suspense and anticipation creating the prequel required to encounter an adventure in learning, one that is almost completely non manmade. Most of the necessary manmade structures will be hidden, or at the very least subdued to blend with the environment. This natural quality will enhance the character of the land and add to each guest’s experience rather than detracting from the natural movement of the animal kingdom, with modern structural encumbrances.

Knowledge of and respect for nature should be learned, not taught. This is achieved through involvement with living things, direct observation, attractive graphics and multi-media aids, and, above all, the element of surprise, adventure and fun.

The OBJECTIVES, GOALS and DESIGN CRITERIA

The objectives, goals and even the design criteria of the park has been carefully crafted from Jim Fowler’s lifetime of wildlife engagement, his learning and teaching as well as that of his family and the staff of the Fowler Center for Wildlife Education, In., a non-profit organization which has been entrusted by Mr. Fowler with the responsibility of the park operation. The “living laboratory” has a primary goal to tell the story of the land and its wildlife in an effective and interesting manner - how they have been compatible in the past and can be in the future.

Among the objectives for the park:• Design and operate the Interpretive Center as a “living classroom” that will serve guests as well as residents and students of the Exploration Planet Institute and a variety of educational and research groups. Partnering with other regional schools and universities will allow a comprehensive learning experience to study nature and its fauna.

• Prioritize programs of animal education and protection – endangered species programs will be instituted.

• Build a settlement of the early pioneers of the Florida Panhandle (often referred to as “crackers”) in a portion of the park that will be home to wildlife native to the region.

• There will be “eye level” pathways and bikeways throughout the overall Park, as well as a passenger train. Exotic animals of the world will have a “continent” that represents their co-habitants, surroundings and their country of origin, offering the basic design concept for that portion of the Park. The train stations will also be of indigenous architecture of each particular continent.

• The fencing and constraint system of the Park that ensures the safety of the community and the animals is designed to blend into the environment. The water bird aviary security fencing, for example, will be built from a patented centenary cable support system. This system is vinyl coated and color blended welded mesh wire is supported in the appropriate areas with no visible supports. Vines will be strategically planted to make the system practically noninvasive.

Let the Adventure BeginEntrance Drive and Gate

As you approach the entrance to Life in the Wild you will catch your first glimpse of the native habitat, exotic wildlife

and classic cracker architecture indigenous to Florida.

At the African themed village entrance gate you will be greeted by Safari clad guides that will offer you maps,

tools, supplies and guidance as you prepare for your imminent adventure.

Beyond the entrance to the park, the first two continents that guests will encounter will be Africa and Asia and encompass approximately 270 acres of the Life in the Wild Adventure Park.

These continents will offer not only a glimpse into the varied and exotic wildlife representative of this region of the world, but also the amazing cultures of these extraordinary countries. Guides within the continents of Africa and Asia have come to join us at Life in the Wild offering a first hand glimpse into their homeland. Your guide will tell real life adventure stories about the animal inhabitants located within their homeland.

African VillageThe African village will be the main pedestrian area for the continents of Africa

and

Asia. This area will include themed architecture representative of the indigenous cultures of the African continent with wattle and daub walls and thatched roofs.

This

village will include animal encounter exhibits, restaurants and retail shops.

Asian VillageThe Asian village will be a remote village that will be a stopping point on the Expedition. This area will include themed architecture and landscaping representative of the indigenous cultures of Asia. Asian building materials include:

thatching and bamboo and provide a taste of the exotic culture of this part of the world. The Asian village will also include animal encounter exhibits, snack bar

and themed retail.

Expedition RideThe most exciting aspect of the African and Asian continents will be the opportunity to get up close to many of the most exotic

species, large and small representative of this part of the world. The specially designed expedition vehicles will be able to

maneuver off road and provide a safe vantage point for observing large wildlife. The vehicles will be equipped with retractable

side panels that can provide a safe buffer between the animals and the guests.

Expedition RideJim Fowler obtains all of the animals for Life in the Wild from other domestic facilities where they have been domestically bred

in captivity or confiscated and in need of a permanent home. Life in the Wild will provide the opportunity for animals to once

again live in a habitat that closely resembles their native habitat. Animals will be provided with “off stage” locations that are far

from the public eye so that stress levels are minimized.

Africa and Asia

The America’sSouth American Animal ExperienceAlong tree-canopied walkways guests will visit the continent of South America to learn about the wildlife and culture of our neighbors to the South. Elements of the indigenous cultures of Mexico, Central America and South America will be depicted in the exhibits of this continent.

The featured animal exhibits of this region of the world will include Parrot Park, a jaguar habitat and puma habitat, a predator feeding tunnel and Jim Fowler’s specialty, a South American Birds of Prey habitat.

Adobe architecture will be featured throughout the surrounding animal encounter exhibits, restaurants and retail shops within this continent.

Wildlife Exhibition RideGuests can choose to view animals by taking a guided tour through the actual animal habitats. Each guide will provide the history of the species, its current status and the challenges for humans to protect the animal in its natural world. The specially designed expedition vehicles will be completely secured when in predatory animal enclosures. In keeping with Jim Fowler’s vision, guests will have an up-close, eye level view of the animals whenever possible.

Explorer TrailsGuests can choose to view animals at their own pace by taking the series of pedestrian paths that will access all animal exhibits in the Park. These paths will vary as much as the terrain does throughout the property. Some trails will be natural paths, some will be elevated boardwalks, some will have pavement and some will be wire fence enclosed tunnels, which Jim Fowler calls “Feeding tunnels” to get a close up view of the predatory animals.

The TrainGuests will have the choice of riding an historic train from the Africa and Asia down to the America’s and through the large wetlands to the hoof stock pastures and finally connecting with the retail shops and restaurants at the entrance to the Park.

MaintenanceA 14,000 square feet facility will be centrally located in the park and will house all support activities for the Park except administration. This will be functional pre-engineered building that will not be visible to the general public. All food and merchandise will be warehoused in this location and distributed throughout the Park. Human resources and most employee parking will also be located within this area.