2012 Honors and Awards Applications and Guidelines are now available.
It's time again to share your successes and exceptional work. Applications are due on May 1, 2012.
Please note the changes described below in the Edward H. Bean Award, the Education Award and the Exhibit Award.
Edward H. Bean Award
The Edward H. Bean Award acclaims the most significant propagation or management programs that contribute to the reproductive success of one or more species or subspecies.
Note: The first paragraph of the Guidelines that describes this award has been updated.
Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award
Through its Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award, AZA recognizes significant achievement in work force and audience diversity by an AZA member institution. Applicants may submit an entry for any diversity program designed to increase diversity through education, training, community service, recruitment/retention, interpretative exhibition, public relations, and/or marketing. This Award was renamed in memory of Angela Peterson whose dedication to AZA and its efforts in conservation, education and diversity was an inspiration to so many.
Education Award
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognizes outstanding achievement in educational program design, judging programs on their ability to promote conservation knowledge, attitudes and behavior, show innovation, and measure success.
Note: There are now two categories for the Education Award, one for programs from institutions with annual budgets under $5 million, and one for those with budgets of $5 million or more.
Exhibit Award
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, through its Exhibit Award, recognizes excellence in the area of live animal display and exhibit design by an AZA Institution (US or International) or Related Facility member.
Note: The Exhibit Award Application, as well as the Guidelines for the Exhibit Award have been modified.
Green Award
The Green Award will recognize programs that exist institution-wide to reduce the environmental impact of the organization from a business operations standpoint and demonstrate the recognition that our conservation mission begins with how we operate our facilities.
International Conservation Award
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums names conservation as its highest priority, and recognizes exceptional efforts by AZA Institution, Related Facility, International Facility, or Conservation Partner members toward habitat preservation, species restoration, and support of biodiversity in the wild through the International Conservation Award.
Excellence in Marketing Award
Through this award, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognizes the valuable role that marketing plays in building and sustaining business and creating platforms to interact with our various audiences.
under $175,000 budget.
North American Conservation Award
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums names conservation as its highest priority, and recognizes exceptional efforts by AZA Institution, Related Facility or Conservation Partner members toward regional habitat preservation, species restoration, and support of biodiversity in the wild through its North American Conservation Award.
Media Release Form
Remember to submit a Media Release Form (in DOC) with your application.
Awards conferred via Nomination
R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence
The 2010 honoree - Karen Sausman, President Emeritus, The Living Desert
The 2008 honoree - Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Deadline: December 15 annually
In 1978, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums established its highest award for professional excellence, named for its first recipient, R. Marlin Perkins. Only one recipient can be honored in any given year, and since the award criteria are lofty, it is anticipated that the award will not be given every year.
Nominations are accepted year-round and are due no later than December 15th of the year preceding the year in which the Award is to be conferred.
Honorary Membership Award
The AZA Board of Directors has instituted a moratorium on nominations for Honorary Membership while the Membership Committee and the Board of Directors are in the process of evaluating all membership categories.
AZA has created a special membership category to recognize both members and non-members who have made significant contributions to the profession. Candidates should not be working in the zoo or aquarium profession and are elected by the Board of Directors.
List of Honorary Membership recipients
Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development
Deadline: April 30 annually
The Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development recognizes significant long-term individual achievement and service to AZA members through the AZA Professional Development Program and the AZA Board of Regents.
Previous Winners
- 2007 Recipient: John Hargleroad, Operations Director, Oglebay Park
- 2005 Recipient: Earl Wells, Retired Director, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo (awarded posthumously)
- 2004 Recipient: Bruce Carr, PhD, AZA Director of Conservation Education
Wendy Fisher Award for Professional Excellence
The 2010 honoree - Charles M. Davis, FAIA, EHDD Architecture
The 2007 honoree - Joyce Basel, Adventure Boutique, Inc.
Deadline: June 1 annually
Commercial Members who have demonstrated outstanding character, leadership, professional excellence and distinguished service to AZA and fellow Commercial Members. The award is named for its first recipient, Wendy Fisher.