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World Zoos of North America

Stay updated on what IZE members in North America are doing to promote conservation efforts in their areas. Learn about education programs, browse the list of IZE members and their regions, and find contact information for the Regional Representative.

North American Regional Update
by Regional Representative Bill Street
(September 2011)

Program Animals

The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC), Conservation Education Committee (CEC), and Research and Technology Committee (RTC) met at the Annual American Zoo and Aquarium Conference in Atlanta to discuss current research and began to determine what other issues need to be explored with regards to Program Animals. There was a roundtable discussion during the conference focused on this issue. There are a number of research projects focusing on program animals that will begin over the next year. The goal of this research is to begin to learn more about successful program animal programs and encourage best practices among zoos.

Education and Government Affairs

Incorporating education messages into Congressional outreach efforts has become a growing priority for Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions. One highlight was this year’s Stand Up for Zoos & Aquariums event where eleven education staff members from AZA institutions traveled to Washington DC and met with Senate and House members and their staff to promote zoos and aquariums as educational facilities. In addition, fourteen posters highlighting educational initiatives by AZA institutions were displayed at a Congressional Reception. AZA educators work closely with North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) to seek ways for the CEC to collaborate with AZA, the Government Affairs committee and other environmental education advocacy organizations. AZA educators are also plugged in to the Environmental Literacy Plan development efforts currently taking place in over 40 states.

White House Fatherhood Initiative and AZA

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced its support for the White House Fatherhood Initiative, with an invitation for dads and their kids to visit the aquarium or zoo near them. President Obama is supporting the Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative through sound public policy – including increased funding for local responsible fatherhood programs – and partnerships with community groups around the nation. The President’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative works to connect with dads and others around the country and has held town halls in local communities focusing on responsible fatherhood.

Conservation Postage Stamp

Through the efforts of several North American zoos and aquariums, the Save Vanishing Species postage stamp was launched in September, 2011 with a satellite media tour at Busch Gardens Tampa and an unveiling at the National Zoo in Washington DC. This stamp is the first semi-postal stamp issued by the United States Postal Service since 2003, the fourth in United States history. The Save Vanishing Species stamp will provide an exciting way for the public to contribute to a variety of funds designed to support the conservation of vanishing wildlife species. 

Conservation and Education Funding

Animals in need, endangered species around the world, and innovative conservation education programs benefited from more than $1 million in grants awarded this year by the non-profit SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. Since its creation eight years ago, the Fund has granted more than $8 million to protect wildlife and wild places. The Fund approved grants to more than 100 wildlife protection projects including programs to educate and connect kids with the ocean and wildlife in their own backyards, and efforts to encourage children to spend more time outdoors. Applications for 2012 funding are due in November. For more information, visit www.swbg-conservationfund.org

CEC Strategic Framework 2012-2013

The Conservation Education Subcommittee of AZA has developed a thorough strategic plan to promote conservation education throughout North American zoos. The committee created the following short form strategic framework to guide them through their work over the next two years.

Priority #1: Visitor research to increase understanding of audience and facilitate creation of education programs that shift public behaviors for conservation outcomes.

• Implement Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter research and identify future of research by review/support other public research projects and identifying practical ways for outcomes to be utilized by educators.

• Increase professional development opportunities for zoo and aquarium educators at AZA professional training schools and mid-year and annual conferences.

• Expand communication with AZA, animal programs, and related organizations through education advisors, encouraging Conservation Education Foundation proposals and expanding relationships with other groups (including IZE).

• Research presentation animals to maximize benefits of presentations for audience’s knowledge acquisition, identify importance/best practices and liaise with animal groups and advocacy teams

Priority #2: Best practices in conservation education.

• Enhance advocacy by working with AZA staff, Government Affairs Committee and Public Relations Committee on furthering the integration of education into AZA advocacy efforts, developing tools to support educators in effective advocacy efforts (posters, brochures, training), ensuring that zoos and aquariums are plugged into Environmental Literacy Plan efforts at the state level, and developing industry support for key pieces of Environmental Education legislation (including NCLI, NEEA, NOAA, EPA bills)

• Create and implement a 5 year climate change initiative

• Connecting to Nature Initiative by coordinating a comprehensive AZA effort, encouraging members to join the Children and Nature Network, sharing best practices and professional development training.

• Increase communication among AZA educators through the CEC newsletter, website - online resource center, regional communication plan, AZA education award and accreditation.
  
  
• Assess needs of AZA educators and develop ways to address them such as standardized fact sheets and creating metrics/standards for best practices curricula.

North America Membership List

The IZE Membership List is updated quarterly. This list was last updated September 30, 2011.

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