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".
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 and 2011 ARCS focuses exclusively on those projects that have a direct conservation impact for animals in the wild. 2011 data were submitted by 184 of AZA’s 241 accredited institutions and certified-related facilities who spent $160 million on over 2,670 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 |
Alaska Sealife Center |
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) |
| Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center |
Zoo Boise |
Gladys Porter Zoo |
| New England Aquarium |
Toronto Zoo |
Monterey Bay Aquarium |
| Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Center |
Memphis Zoo |
Temaiken Foundation |
| Tracy Aviary |
Bramble Park Zoo |
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo |
| Zoo Atlanta |
Smithsonian National Zoological Park |
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center |
| Columbus Zoo and Aquarium |
Woodland Park Zoo |
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens |
| Dallas World Aquarium |
San Diego Zoo Global |
South Carolina Aquarium |
| Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo |
North Carolina Zoological Park |
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo |
| Lincoln Park Zoo |
Western North Carolina Nature Center |
Denver Zoological Gardens |
| Oglebay's Good Zoo |
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One of the goals of the AZA’s Field Conservation Committee is to significantly increase the amount of resources being committed to field conservation, and a toolkit was created to help zoos and aquariums find new ways to accomplish this. The toolkit consolidates an array of information including the definition of field conservation, AZA's conservation–related accreditation standards and application questions, guidelines on how to develop an “Institutional Conservation Strategic Plan”, ideas for developing dedicated revenue streams, examples of how to engage your organization, and ways in which organizations can promote their field conservation initiatives. Download the Toolkit for Increasing Field Conservation Contributions.
Download the ARCS Reports: