AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums undergo a thorough review that includes a detailed accreditation application as well as a multiple day on-site inspection by a team of experts from around the country.
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March 2009 Accreditation and Certification Results
AZA is pleased to announce the results of the Accreditation Commission hearings held in March 2009 in Oklahoma City.
AZA welcomes two new accredited members — the Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque, Iowa, and the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, Va.
Accredited for another cycle were Adventure Aquarium, Camden, N.J.; Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans, La.; Birch Aquarium at Scripps, La Jolla, Calif.; Florida Aquarium, Tampa, Fla.; Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas; Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas; John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Ill.; The Living Desert, Palm Desert, Calif.; Memphis Zoo, Memphis, Tenn.; Montgomery Zoo, Montgomery, Ala.; Museum of Science, Boston, Mass.; Nashville Zoo, Nashville, Tenn.; Newport Aquarium, Newport, Ky.; Oakland Zoo, Oakland, Calif.; Reid Park Zoo, Tucson, Ariz.; The Seas, Orlando, Fla.; Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga.
Certified for another cycle were Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, New Orleans, La.; Have Trunk Will Travel, Perris, Calif.; Steve Martin's Natural Encounters, Winter Haven, Fla.
Update: 2009 Accreditation Standards
New and revised accreditation standards for 2009 (in PDF) approved by the AZA Board of Directors in 2008.
Certification Moratorium
Moratorium Placed On New Applicants For Related Facility Certification
The AZA Board of Directors has placed a temporary moratorium on accepting new applicants for the category of Related Facility, effective immediately. The Accreditation Commission is in the process of examining the Related Facility category in terms of definition, focus, and alignment with AZA's mission statement and brand platform. The moratorium will remain in place until any changes to the Related Facility category are approved by the AZA Board of Directors and then by the voting membership.
Currently certified Related Facilities are not affected.
Upcoming Reviews
We welcome your comments regarding the AZA members and prospective members under review for accreditation or certification at the next meeting of the AZA Accreditation Commission.
Accreditation Rack Cards for Visitors
Show your visitors what your AZA accreditation means! Download the Accreditation Rack Card.