The AZA Field Conservation Committee (FCC) paraphrases the definition of "Field Conservation" as action that helps secure the long-term survival of species in natural ecosystems and habitats. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums coordinate, participate, or support conservation projects that: directly support field work, species recovery, veterinary care for wildlife disease issues, and assurance populations; focus in situ and ex situ research on ways to protect species or ecosystems in the wild; and increase opportunities to increase conservation awareness, advocacy, action, capacity and fundraising. Read the complete definition of "Field Conservation".
AZA Annual Report on Conservation Science
The AZA Annual Report on Conservation Science (ARCS) illustrates the substantial collective effort AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums dedicate towards direct field conservation. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums serve as conservation centers that are concerned about ecosystem health, take responsibility for species survival, contribute to research, conservation, and education, and provide society the opportunity to develop personal connections with the animals in their care. These esteemed institutions play a vital role in maintaining our planet’s diverse wildlife and natural habitats while engaging the public to appreciate and participate in conservation.
Traditionally, ARCS summarized the substantial collective effort AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums dedicate towards field conservation, education programs, research studies, and green practices; however the 2010 ARCS focuses exclusively on those projects that have a direct conservation impact for animals in the wild. 2010 data were submitted by 174 of AZA’s 239 accredited institutions and certified-related facilities who spent $130 million on over 1,900 conservation initiatives in more than 100 countries! The following is a list of those institutions that contributed the most as a percentage of their budget:
| International Crane Foundation |
Wildlife Conservation Society |
Gladys Porter Zoo |
| Lincoln Park Zoo |
Zoo Boise |
Memphis Zoo |
| National Zoo |
Bramble Park Zoo |
Lowry Park Zoo |
| The Wilds |
San Diego Zoo Global |
Vancouver Aquarium |
| Zoo Atlanta |
Los Angeles Zoo |
Dallas World Aquarium |
| Virginia Aquarium |
Woodland Park Zoo |
Phoenix Zoo |
| Oglebay's Good Zoo |
Ocean Park |
South Carolina Aquarium |
Global Action Atlas
AZA has formed an exciting partnership with the National Geographic Society (NGS) and sponsors an AZA landing page on the NGS’ Global Action Atlas to spotlight the local, national, and international conservation projects AZA-accredited institutions are involved with. The Global Action Atlas is a digital interactive map, currently in its beta testing phase, that displays conservation, climate change, culture, exploration, humanitarian, and energy projects. Each project is represented as an icon on a global map and moving a mouse over the icon generates a pop-up summary that links to a profile page detailing the specific project. Viewers can read project summaries, updates, and blogs, find media galleries and links to nearby or similar projects, and become involved by donating, volunteering, advocating, or becoming a social media fan.
If you are an AZA-accredited institution who would like your conservation projects included (at no cost), please contact the AZA Conservation Department. Upon its launch, the Global Action Atlas will be publicized in the NGS’ magazines, websites, and cable channels, reaching some 330 million households. In addition, the Global Action Atlas is directly linked to Google earth, Google maps, Bing maps, and all social networking forums.