Association of Zoos and Aquariums

SAN ANTONIO ZOO RECEIVES SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT HONOR FOR EXHIBIT

CONTACT: Kris Vehrs, AZA 301-562-0777 x 229

TAMPA, FL September 29, 2006 Today the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) honored the San Antonio Zoo with a Significant Achievement Award in the Exhibit category for Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot. Zoo officials accepted the award in front of thousands of their professional colleagues at the AZA's 82nd Annual Conference, meeting here this week. AZA honored the zoo with this award in honor of their contributions to help achieve AZA's vision of building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement.

Developed by the San Antonio Zoo, Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot was designed to encourage families with kids under five to grow with nature. The $5 million exhibit literally immerse families with young children in nature. Tiny explorers can dig, climb, and get wet and dirty as they uncover and discover nature's wonders. Special staff, called Playleaders, look for innovative ways to involve families in new and exciting nature experiences, which can run the gamut from exploring worms and building home compost bins, planting and harvesting greens to feed the zoo's Aldabran tortoises, using recycled paper towel tubes to make bird feeders or squirrel monkey enrichment, or taking part in a coati training session.

The exhibit provides the ideal environment for families with young children to experience nature firsthand, and even acts as a springboard to encourage parents to explore more wild places.

Adding to the uniqueness of this exhibit is that the site was built according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

The Exhibit Award is presented by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for outstanding dedication to conservation issues, construction of exhibit space and replication of species natural habitats.

About AZA

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

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