Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Wildlife Conservation Society Wins 2002 Education Significant Achievement Award

FORT WORTH, TX 13 September 2002 -- The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) today honored the Wildlife Conservation Society, New York, NY, with a Significant Achievement Award for the “Wildlife Science Careers Program.” WCS officials accepted the award at the AZA's 78th Annual Conference, meeting here this week.

Wildlife Science Careers Program
©Wildlife Conservation Society

With generous support from the National Science Foundation's Program for Gender Equity in Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology, the Wildlife Conservation Society is completing a four-year project that has helped to promote girls' interest and achievement in science. The three-phase Wildlife Science Careers Program, which has been implemented in collaboration with the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York, has developed and implemented dynamic hands-on workshops introducing 320 girls to wildlife science careers and giving them behind the scenes access to professionals working in animal care and management, education, exhibit design, field science, wildlife health, and wildlife science park support.

Through the second phase of the program, which trained Cadette Girl Scouts (11-14) to introduce younger Girl Scouts to wildlife and wildlife science careers, Wildlife Science Careers Program has reached over 2,000 girl scouts. In the third-phase, 50 graduates of the workshop program have served as interns at the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and Central Park Zoo.

Each year, AZA recognizes achievement in the area of education by offering competition among its Institution, Related Organization and Society members. Judging is conducted by a panel of individuals selected by the Conservation Education Committee.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association was founded in 1924 and currently represents 208 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. AZA's mission is to support membership excellence in conservation, education, science and recreation.

Note: For more information contact Linda Corcoran, Manager, Communucations, (718) 220-5197.