About the 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. Only exhibits that were opened in calendar years 2011 and 2012 can be considered for the 2013 awards. Exhibits that opened to the public in 2013 must wait until 2014 to submit an application.
If there is any question as to what constitutes an eligible project, please email Rick Barongi, Honors and Awards Committee Chairman or call 713-533-6801.
How to Submit an Application
Download the Exhibit Award application (in DOC)
Read the Guidelines for Submission (in PDF)
Remember to submit a Media Release Form with your application.
All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file. Please make sure the file name reflects both the award name and the institution.
AZA has contracted with WEBCARGO to provide a quick and easy way for you to submit your application. Click here to send your application via WEBCARGO.
Past Recipients
To see past recipients' application materials, member log in required.
2012 TOP HONORS
The Louisville Zoo for Glacier Run
2012 Significant Achievement
The California Science Center for Ecosystems
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for African Elephant Crossing
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens for Elephants of Asia
2011 Top Honors
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - Polar Frontier
Fort Worth Zoo - Museum of Living Art (MOLA)
The Toledo Zoo - Nature's Neighborhood
2011 Significant Achievement
Brevard Zoo - PAWS ON
Dallas Zoo - Giants of the Savanna
2010 Top Honors
Oregon Zoo - Predators of the Serengeti
Woodland Park Zoo - Humboldt Penguin Exhibit
2010 Significant Achievement
Fundación Temaikèn - The Bird's Place
San Diego Zoo - Elephant Odyssey
The Philadelphia Zoo - McNeil Avian Center
2009 Top Honors
Minnesota Zoo — Russia's Grizzly Coast and Central Plaza
2009 Significant Achievement
Bronx Zoo — Madagascar
North Carolina Zoo — Watani Grasslands Reserve
2008 Top Honors
National Aquarium in Baltimore — Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes
2008 Significant Achievement
Minnesota Zoo — Minnesota Trail
2007 Top Honors
Philadelphia Zoo — Big Cat Falls
2007 Significant Achievement
Houston Zoo — Natural Encounters
Smithsonian National Zoological Park — Asia Trail
2006 Top Honors
Denver Zoo — Entrance and Predator Ridge
2006 Significant Achievement
Lincoln Park Zoo — Regenstein Center for African Apes
San Antonio Zoo — Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot
2005 Top Honors
Jacksonville Zoo — Range of the Jaguar
Monterey Bay Aquarium — Sharks: Myth and Mystery
2005 Significant Achievement
Lincoln Park Zoo — Regenstein African Journey
Oregon Zoo — Eagle Canyon
Woodland Park Zoo — Jaguar Cove
2004 Top Honors
Bronx Zoo / Wildlife Conservation Society — Tiger Mountain
2004 Significant Achievement
John G. Shedd Aquarium — Wild Reef
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — African Rift Valley
2003 Top Honors
Louisville Zoo — Gorilla Forest
2003 Significant Achievement
Detroit Zoo — Arctic Ring of Life
Monterey Bay Aquarium — Jellies: Living Art
2002
Brookfield Zoo — Hamill Family Play Zoo
Detroit Zoological Institute — Amphibiville
2001
Minnesota Zoo — Wells Fargo Family Farm
John G. Shedd Aquarium — Amazon Rising: Seasons of the River
2000
Monterey Bay Aquarium — Mysteries of the Deep
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society — Congo Gorilla Forest
1999
Toledo Zoo — Historic Aviary Renovation
John G. Shedd Aquarium — Seahorse Symphony
1998
New England Aquarium — Aquarium Medical Center
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum — Javelina Exhibit
Louisville Zoological Gardens — Islands Exhibit
1997
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society — Butterfly Zone
Monterey Bay Aquarium — The Outer Bay
1996
National Zoological Park — Think Tank
Sea World of Florida — Wild Arctic
1995
Woodland Park Zoological Gardens — Northern Trail
1994
Cincinnati Zoo — Jungle Trails, The Asian and African Rainforest Exhibit
SeaWorld of Florida — Manatees: The Last Generation
1993
Woodland Park Zoological Gardens — Tropical Rain Forest
1992
John G. Shedd Aquarium — Oceanarium
1991
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society — Baboon Reserve & African Market
1990
Woodland Park Zoological Gardens — Elephant Forest
1989
San Diego Zoo — Tiger River
1988
National Zoological Park — Invertebrate Exhibit
1987
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society — Himalayan Highlands
San Diego Zoo — East African Rock Kopje
1986
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society — JungleWorld
1985
Audubon Park & Zoological Garden — Louisiana Swamp Exhibit
1984
Sea World of California — The Penguin Encounter
1983
Oregon Zoo — Cascades; Stream & Pond Building
1982
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society — Children's Zoo
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium — Polar Bear Complex
1981
Woodland Park Zoological Gardens — The African Savanna
1980
Hanna Barbera Marineland — Baja Reef
1979
Cincinnati Zoo — World of the Insect
1978
The Seattle Aquarium — Puget Sound Exhibit
1977
Saint Louis Zoological Park — Aquatic House Renovation
1976
Saint Louis Zoological Park — Big Cat Country
1975
Chicago Zoological Park — Saharan Predator Exhibit
1974
Topeka Zoological Park — Tropical Rain Forest