In 2011, AZA’s Wildlife Conservation Committee (WCC, formerly Field Conservation Committee) explored what was meant by the phrase “field conservation" for the AZA community, and defined it to be those efforts that directly contribute to the long-term survival of species in natural ecosystems and habitats.
Member Efforts
AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums coordinate, participate in, and support conservation projects that take place in the field, lead to species recovery, relate veterinary care to wildlife disease issues, and manage assurance populations. They conduct research both on-grounds and in the field that investigates ways to protect species or ecosystems in the wild, promote conservation awareness and personal behavior change, engage in advocacy, build the skills and capacity of practitioners worldwide, and raise critical funds. Some of the programs for which AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are well-known include those related to the reintroduction of animals into the wild.
Every year, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums provide information about their field conservation activities to AZA’s Conservation and Research Database. While members use this database to enter updates, it is open for anybody to explore; follow the link, select “Field Conservation” as the project category, and learn more about how the AZA community is helping animals around the world.
AZA’s Conservation Grants Fund provides financial support to AZA members for their collaborative conservation-related efforts. Learn more about the CGF, which members have received awards, and about the outcomes of many of the awards.
A Snapshot
In 2018, 228 AZA-accredited and certified related facilities reported spending approximately $231 million on conservation efforts impacting more than 888 species and subspecies, in nearly 130 countries. Explore each Annual Report on Conservation and Science to learn about what each facility is doing individually, or explore Highlights to see what the AZA community is accomplishing together.
The following institutions led the way by contributing the highest percentages of their budgets to field conservation in 2018:
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- International Crane Foundation
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- Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo
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- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
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- Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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- Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
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- Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens
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- Minnesota Zoological Garden
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- Smithsonian National Zoological Park
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- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
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- Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
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- The Dallas World Aquarium
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- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
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- North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
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- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
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- North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
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- The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
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- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
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- North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
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- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
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- Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
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- Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
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- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
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- Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
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- Western North Carolina Nature Center
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- Safari West Wildlife Preserve
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Helping Members Meet Their Goals
Conservation Partners
AZA’s Conservation Partners work with AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to help them reach their conservation goals. The following organizations were among the top 10 most common field conservation collaborators for AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and certified related facilities in 2018.
Wildlife Conservation Committee
AZA’s Wildlife Conservation Committee helps all members engage in and grow their commitment to field conservation. The WCC has developed a Toolkit to Engage in Field Conservation that includes guidelines for developing a strategic plan for conservation, ideas for developing dedicated revenue streams, suggestions for communicating about field conservation initiatives, as well as AZA's conservation–related accreditation standards and application questions. The WCC also offers a mentor program and other resources. Contact members of the Committee to learn more!
Executive Leadership Development Program
Students in AZA’s 2015 Executive Leadership Development Program developed Making the Case for Field Conservation to help people educate their governing authorities about the importance of field conservation. This document is available on the Governing Authorities Resource Center page (member log-in required).