SILVER SPRINGS, Md. -There were nearly 50 zoos across the country that debuted new large scale or expanded exhibits involving Landscape Architects in 2000, according to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

Some of the big projects include the St. Louis Insectarium, which opened in May at the St. Louis Zoo; the Red Ape Rainforest, opened in July at the Los Angeles Zoo; Cleveland Metropark Zoo's Australian Adventure; and the $2.3 million Lords of the Arctic, at the Cincinnati Zoo that opened in July.

Texas Wild, at the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas is opening in phases with the final phase to be opened in spring. The Detroit Zoo opened the $6 million Amphibians! exhibit and the $13 million Polar Bears exhibit.

This year two big exhibits being designed are the Florida Wetlands Exhibit at the Jacksonville Zoo and the Winnick Family Children's Zoo and Gluck Foundation Contact Area at the Los Angeles Zoo.