International Zoo Educators Association

Dear IZE Members,
This is my second briefing of 2026, and as you may have noticed, it is coming to you slightly later than my quarterly ambitions! Fortunately, the delay is because the IZE Board and I have had a busy few months working on a range of activities to serve our members and deliver on our strategic priorities

As a Board, we meet online every two months. We met in April, June and August. Along with the usual Board standing items in our meetings, here are just a few of the other things we have been working hard on over the last few months:
IZE Conference – Reviewing conference abstracts, curating the programme and all sorts of activities that go into organising a global conference
IZE Journal – Reviewing and editing articles, choosing the cover photo and finalising this year’s IZE journal ready for publication in September.
Job Exchange Programme – Sending out this year’s call for Job Exchange Programme hosts and visitors, then matching them up for the 2026/27 season, along with managing this year’s visits. A huge thanks to our JEP maestro, Dr Dave Johnston, for all the time, energy and complicated coordination he does for this programme.

If you are reading this and are not already an IZE member, we’d love for you to join our global network of zoo and aquarium professionals. Enjoy exclusive benefits, including access to resources, networking opportunities, and discounted event registration.

We offer Individual, Institutional, and Associate memberships. Find out more HERE

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IZE Board at EAZA Directors’ Days

Supporting zoos, aquariums and conservation organisations to achieve meaningful educational and social outcomes is central to IZE’s mission. Attending EAZA Directors’ Days provided a valuable opportunity for the IZE Board to contribute to this work.

In April, Aileen Tennant (Fota Wildlife Park), IZE Europe & Middle East Regional Representative, and I joined more than 180 zoo leaders from across the UK, Europe and beyond, gathered in the Netherlands, hosted by Beekse Bergen. Through workshops and facilitated discussions, delegates helped shape EAZA’s strategic direction for the next five years.

One thing we noticed and welcomed was the growing recognition and inclusion of conservation education in these conversations (including visitor experience, learning, inclusion, community engagement, and behaviour change). They also advocated for an even stronger, more central role for education, social, and community outcomes in the EAZA strategy moving forward.

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WAZA & IZE extend strategic partnership to advance global conservation education

In April, I also attended the WAZA Council meeting hosted by Artis Zoo in the Netherlands. We are delighted that IZE now has an observer seat on the WAZA Council, and it was great to connect in person with my fellow council members over the two days. 

For me, one highlight was that IZE and WAZA renewed and extended our longstanding Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming a strong strategic partnership focused on global leadership in conservation education.

Building on years of collaboration, this renewed agreement strengthens our shared commitment to advancing Social Change for Conservation: The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy, a unified global framework guiding educational practices across the global zoo and aquarium community.

Through this collaboration, WAZA and IZE will continue to:

• Strengthen member capacity in communication, education, and behaviour change
• Develop and promote a shared global narrative on the societal value of zoos and aquariums
• Facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration across regions
• Extend the reach and impact of both organisations at a global level

Together, WAZA and IZE will continue to align their expertise, resources, and global networks to support their members in advancing their educational and social impact.

You can read more here: https://www.waza.org/news/waza-and-ize-extend-strategic-partnership-to-advance-global-conservation-education/

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IZE at the WAZA Mid-Year Meeting 2026.

Over two days, 17–18 June, this year’s WAZA Mid-Year meeting brought together leaders, conservation professionals, and changemakers from around the world under the theme Stewards of Tomorrow: Leadership Across Differences. Impact Without Borders.

The programme featured two inspiring keynote speakers, a brand-new Convos with CEOs session, leadership and professional development discussions, global perspectives and key updates from across the WAZA community.

We were delighted to be invited to speak about IZE’s investment in building conservation education leadership. I presented with Colleen Cavanaugh (also from Auckland Zoo), highlighting the many ways IZE is supporting its members in conservation education leadership development. We focused on IZE’s new Emerging Leaders Mentorship Programme (ELMP), which supports mid-career professionals in growing their leadership practice in ways that advance conservation education, social change, and collective impact. 

It was great to be given the opportunity to speak to our global zoo and aquarium community about our commitment to professional development for our members. 

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IZE at ZAA Annual Conference

The IZE Board was well represented at this year’s Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) Conference, with myself, President-Elect Lian Wilson (Zoos Victoria) (joining online), and Oceania Regional Representative Rachel Haydon (Orana Wildlife Park) adding our voices to important conversations throughout the conference. 

These contributions directly support IZE’s World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy (WZACES), which focuses on elevating the impact and professionalism of conservation education worldwide. The ZAA region has adopted WZACES as their own ‘North Star’ for conservation engagement, and it was great to see the 251 conference delegates from 94 organisations acknowledge and celebrate education as one of our core foundations. 

I facilitated a session titled: ‘Five Years On: How WZACES Has Reshaped Conservation Education Practice Across the ZAA Region’. The session asked participants to reflect on the influence of the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy since it was launched in late 2020 and explored how its principles have strengthened conservation education practice, built professional capability, and embedded evidence-based approaches across the region.
Rachel, alongside IZE Members Colleen Cavanagh (Auckland Zoo)and Amy Hughes (Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo), led an interactive workshop exploring WZACES Chapter 1: ‘How to Build a Whole Team Shared Understanding of Conservation Engagement.’ The workshop encouraged participants to think beyond education teams alone, focusing on how organisations can create a shared commitment to conservation engagement across all departments, roles, and visitor touchpoints.It was inspiring to see the continued momentum behind WZACES and the commitment of zoo and aquarium professionals across Oceania to strengthen conservation engagement.

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IZE Conference Countdown

In just a couple of months, more than 100 delegates from around the world will gather in Cape Town, South Africa, for the biennial IZE Conference 2026, hosted by Two Oceans Aquarium from 12-16 October 2026.

We are also thrilled to have announced an outstanding keynote line-up. Celebrated storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe, ocean conservation advocate Loyiso Dunga, and animal welfare expert Dave Morgan will each bring unique perspectives on storytelling, conservation, community engagement, and welfare-centred practice. 

Together, their keynote presentations promise to inspire, challenge, and connect delegates while highlighting the many ways conservation educators can create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

Bringing together educators, conservationists, researchers, and practitioners from across the globe, the programme explores the ideas, partnerships, and approaches shaping the future of conservation education. In addition to inspiring keynotes, delegates can look forward to engaging presentations, practical workshops, Emerging Leaders presentations, discussions, and unique opportunities to connect with colleagues while experiencing Cape Town’s remarkable natural and cultural landscapes.
View the programme on our conference webpage HERE
There’s still time to register here: https://www.aquarium.co.za/ize-conference-2026  

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Looking Ahead

As I reflect on the past few months, I am reminded once again of the strength of the IZE community. Whether through leadership development, knowledge sharing, strategic partnerships, conference planning, or the incredible work happening every day in zoos and aquariums around the world, our collective impact continues to grow and thrive.

With the IZE Conference 2026 now just around the corner, I am excited about the opportunities ahead to learn from one another, celebrate our achievements, and continue advancing conservation education together. Thank you for the passion, expertise, and generosity you bring to this community. I look forward to connecting with many of you soon.

Best wishes,

Sarah

IZE President

Dr Sarah Thomas 

Head of Conservation Advocacy and Engagement 

Auckland Zoo. Aotearoa, New Zealand

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