• Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Ethics Board
      • Committees
        • Accreditation Commission
        • Advancement Committee
        • Animal Health Committee
        • Animal Population Management Committee
        • Animal Welfare Committee
        • Annual Conference Program Committee
        • Aquarium Affairs Committee
        • Aquatic Collections Sustainability Committee
        • Business Operations Committee
        • Conservation Education Committee
        • Diversity Committee
        • Government Affairs Committee
        • Honors and Awards Committee
        • Human Resources Committee
        • Marketing Committee
        • Membership Committee
        • Nominating Committee
        • Professional Development Committee
        • Public Relations Committee
        • Research and Technology Committee
        • Safety Committee
        • Trends Committee
        • Volunteer Management Committee
        • Wildlife Conservation Committee
      • Scientific Advisory Groups
        • Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group
        • Avian Scientific Advisory Group
        • Behavior Scientific Advisory Group
        • Biobanking Scientific Advisory Group
        • Green Scientific Advisory Group
        • Institutional Data Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Molecular Data for Population Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Nutrition Scientific Advisory Group
        • Reproduction and Endocrinology Scientific Advisory Group
        • Small Population Management Advisory Group
        • Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group
        • Veterinary Scientific Advisory Group
    • Strategic Plan
    • Bylaws and Policies
      • Board-Approved Policies and Position Statements
      • Bylaws
      • Code of Conduct
      • Code of Professional Ethics
    • Press Room
      • AZA News Releases
      • Zoo & Aquarium News
      • AZA SAFE Pumpkin Carving Templates
    • Partners
      • Commercial Member Engagement Council
      • Visitor Demographics
      • Conservation Agreements
        • Polar Bears International
        • Arctic Ambassador Centers
    • Contact Us
  • Accreditation
    • About AZA Accreditation
      • Accreditation Basics
      • Benefits of Accreditation
      • FAQs
      • Accreditation vs. Certification
    • How to Apply
      • Pathway Toward Membership Program
    • Download Accreditation Materials
    • Accredited and Certified Members
    • Quarter Century Award
    • Upcoming Reviews
    • Accreditation Commission
    • Inspectors
      • FAQ for Inspectors
      • Inspectors of the Year
    • Accreditation Resource Center
      • Guidelines & Sample Documents, Programs, and Policies
    • Report a Concern
  • Animal Management
    • About Animal Programs
      • Taxon Advisory Groups
        • List of Taxon Advisory Groups
      • Species Survival Plan Programs
        • SSP Population Sustainability
      • Studbooks
      • Global Species Management Plans
      • Animal Program Roles
        • Education Advisors
      • Animal Management Centers
        • Population Management Center
        • Reproductive Management Center
    • Animal Programs Resources
      • Animal Programs Database
      • Animal Program Handbooks
      • Animal Program Applications
      • Resource Documents
      • Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals
      • SSP Reimagination Resources
      • Contact Information
      • Animal Program Sustainability Designations
      • Animal Programs Monthly Update
      • Program Leader Vacancies
      • Animal Program Deadlines
      • Online Training Modules
      • Dedicated Funds
    • Animal Care Manuals
    • Ambassador Animal Guidelines
  • Conservation
    • SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
      • SAFE Species
      • Propose a SAFE Species
      • SAFE Program Resources
      • SAFE Contributors
    • Other Initiatives
      • Annual Report on Conservation and Science
        • Resources for the ARCS Surveys
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Climate Change and Wildlife
        • Communicating Climate Change
        • Climate Change Resources
      • Citizen Science
      • Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project
      • Black-footed Ferret Recovery and Reintroduction Program Analysis
      • Party for the Planet
    • Conservation Funding
      • SAFE Granting Program
        • SAFE Matching Grant Challenge
        • SAFE Granting Program Review and Selection
        • SAFE Grant Awards
      • Conservation Grants Fund
        • Information for CGF Applicants
        • CGF Awards
      • Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief
      • Other Conservation Funding Sources
    • Field Conservation
      • Reintroduction Programs
      • Amphibian Conservation
      • Elephant Conservation
      • Marine Mammal Conservation
      • Ocean Conservation
      • Pollinator Conservation
      • Tiger Conservation
    • Green Practices
      • Resources for Greening Business Practices
        • Green Practices: Energy
        • Green Practices: Materials and Products
        • Green Practices: Water
        • Green Practices: Third-Party Certifications
        • Green Practices: Bird-Safe Buildings
        • Green Practices: Waste
        • Green Practices: Pocket Guides
    • Research and Science
      • Methods for Animal Behavior Research DVD
    • Conservation Education
      • Advocating for Education
      • Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium
  • Wildlife Trafficking Alliance
    • About Us
      • Partners
        • Partner Commitments
        • eBay Partnership
    • Illegal Wildlife Trade
      • Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network
      • Species at Risk
    • What You Can Do
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Buy Informed
      • Tips For Travelers
      • Legislative Action Center
    • Partner Resources
    • News
    • Not A Pet
    • Toss the Tusk
  • Equity & Inclusion
    • Diversity Network Group
    • Modeling Zoos and Aquariums of Inclusive Communities of Science
  • AZA Services
    • Join
      • Individual Membership
      • Organization Membership
      • Conservation Partner
      • Society Partner
      • Commercial Membership
      • Student Membership
      • Advocate Membership
      • FAQs About Joining AZA
    • Conferences
      • Annual Conference
      • Mid-Year Meeting
      • Conference Proceedings
        • 2022 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2021 Annual Conference
        • 2021 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Directors' Policy Conference
        • 2020 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Annual Conference
      • Pizzazz
    • Government Affairs
      • Advocacy Webinar Series
      • Advocacy Day
      • Big Cat Public Safety Act
      • Federal Agencies and Public Comments
      • Legislative Education Center
    • Professional Development
      • Webinars
      • Courses
        • AZA Professional Development Course Policies
        • Scholarships
        • Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings
        • Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management
        • Avian Management, Biology and Conservation
        • Behavioral Husbandry Best Practices for Your Animal Welfare Program
        • Creating Successful Exhibits
        • Crocodilian Biology and Professional Management
        • Effective Leadership: Foundation & Development
        • Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums
        • Foundations of Conservation Learning
        • Institutional Records Keeping
        • Leadership in Conservation Learning
        • Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs
        • Population Management I: Data Management and Processing
        • Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recs
        • Principles of Elephant Management I
        • Principles of Elephant Management II
        • Principles of Ambassador Animal Management
        • Wheeling Courses Travel Information
      • Executive Leadership Development Program
        • Applying for ELDP
        • ELDP FAQs
    • Honors & Awards
      • SSP Sustainability Award
        • Sustainability Award Winners
      • Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award
        • Diversity Award Winners
      • Education Award
        • Education Award Winners
      • Edward H. Bean Award
        • Bean Award Winners
      • Excellence in Marketing Award
        • Marketing Award Winners
      • Exhibit Award
        • Exhibit Award Winners
      • Facility Award
        • Facility Award Winners
      • The Green Award
        • Green Award Winners
      • Volunteer Engagement Award
        • Volunteer Engagement Award Winners
      • Research Award
        • Research Award Winners
      • North American Conservation Award
        • North American Conservation Award Winners
      • William G. Conway International Conservation Award
        • William G. Conway International Conservation Award Winners
      • R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence
      • Animal Welfare Lifetime Achievement Award
      • Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development
      • The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award
      • Wendy Fisher Award for Professional Excellence
      • Honorary Membership Award
    • Safety & Preparedness
      • Zoo and Aquarium Safety: Example Practices
      • Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership
      • Antivenom Index
    • Member Resources & Benefits
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • Data, Surveys, & Trends
        • Directors Demographic Survey
        • Economic Impact Reports
        • Benchmark Reports
        • Earned Revenue Data
        • Species Survival Statistics
        • Trends in Visitor Diversity
        • Visitor and Public Research
        • Volunteer Program Survey
        • Zoo and Aquarium Statistics
      • Why AZA Matters
      • AZA Member Discounted Admissions
      • AZA Member Logos
        • AZA Logo Usage Policy
      • AZA Commercial Member Logo
  • Connect
    • Connect Stories
    • Contribute to Connect
    • Connect Photo Contest Winners
    • Connect Photo Contest
    • Advertise
    • Connect Archives
    • Connect Photo Honorable Mentions
    • Connect Photo Highlights
  • Jobs
  • Find a Zoo or Aquarium
  • Calendar
  • Donate
  • Login
    Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Enter your search query in the field below. Click the X to close.
AZA logo
  • Jobs
  • Find a Zoo or Aquarium
  • Calendar
  • Donate
Join Login Calendar Search the site
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Ethics Board
      • Committees
        • Accreditation Commission
        • Advancement Committee
        • Animal Health Committee
        • Animal Population Management Committee
        • Animal Welfare Committee
        • Annual Conference Program Committee
        • Aquarium Affairs Committee
        • Aquatic Collections Sustainability Committee
        • Business Operations Committee
        • Conservation Education Committee
        • Diversity Committee
        • Government Affairs Committee
        • Honors and Awards Committee
        • Human Resources Committee
        • Marketing Committee
        • Membership Committee
        • Nominating Committee
        • Professional Development Committee
        • Public Relations Committee
        • Research and Technology Committee
        • Safety Committee
        • Trends Committee
        • Volunteer Management Committee
        • Wildlife Conservation Committee
      • Scientific Advisory Groups
        • Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group
        • Avian Scientific Advisory Group
        • Behavior Scientific Advisory Group
        • Biobanking Scientific Advisory Group
        • Green Scientific Advisory Group
        • Institutional Data Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Molecular Data for Population Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Nutrition Scientific Advisory Group
        • Reproduction and Endocrinology Scientific Advisory Group
        • Small Population Management Advisory Group
        • Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group
        • Veterinary Scientific Advisory Group
    • Strategic Plan
    • Bylaws and Policies
      • Board-Approved Policies and Position Statements
      • Bylaws
      • Code of Conduct
      • Code of Professional Ethics
    • Press Room
      • AZA News Releases
      • Zoo & Aquarium News
      • AZA SAFE Pumpkin Carving Templates
    • Partners
      • Commercial Member Engagement Council
      • Visitor Demographics
      • Conservation Agreements
        • Polar Bears International
        • Arctic Ambassador Centers
    • Contact Us
  • Accreditation
    • About AZA Accreditation
      • Accreditation Basics
      • Benefits of Accreditation
      • FAQs
      • Accreditation vs. Certification
    • How to Apply
      • Pathway Toward Membership Program
    • Download Accreditation Materials
    • Accredited and Certified Members
    • Quarter Century Award
    • Upcoming Reviews
    • Accreditation Commission
    • Inspectors
      • FAQ for Inspectors
      • Inspectors of the Year
    • Accreditation Resource Center
      • Guidelines & Sample Documents, Programs, and Policies
    • Report a Concern
  • Animal Management
    • About Animal Programs
      • Taxon Advisory Groups
        • List of Taxon Advisory Groups
      • Species Survival Plan Programs
        • SSP Population Sustainability
      • Studbooks
      • Global Species Management Plans
      • Animal Program Roles
        • Education Advisors
      • Animal Management Centers
        • Population Management Center
        • Reproductive Management Center
    • Animal Programs Resources
      • Animal Programs Database
      • Animal Program Handbooks
      • Animal Program Applications
      • Resource Documents
      • Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals
      • SSP Reimagination Resources
      • Contact Information
      • Animal Program Sustainability Designations
      • Animal Programs Monthly Update
      • Program Leader Vacancies
      • Animal Program Deadlines
      • Online Training Modules
      • Dedicated Funds
    • Animal Care Manuals
    • Ambassador Animal Guidelines
  • Conservation
    • SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
      • SAFE Species
      • Propose a SAFE Species
      • SAFE Program Resources
      • SAFE Contributors
    • Other Initiatives
      • Annual Report on Conservation and Science
        • Resources for the ARCS Surveys
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Climate Change and Wildlife
        • Communicating Climate Change
        • Climate Change Resources
      • Citizen Science
      • Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project
      • Black-footed Ferret Recovery and Reintroduction Program Analysis
      • Party for the Planet
    • Conservation Funding
      • SAFE Granting Program
        • SAFE Matching Grant Challenge
        • SAFE Granting Program Review and Selection
        • SAFE Grant Awards
      • Conservation Grants Fund
        • Information for CGF Applicants
        • CGF Awards
      • Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief
      • Other Conservation Funding Sources
    • Field Conservation
      • Reintroduction Programs
      • Amphibian Conservation
      • Elephant Conservation
      • Marine Mammal Conservation
      • Ocean Conservation
      • Pollinator Conservation
      • Tiger Conservation
    • Green Practices
      • Resources for Greening Business Practices
        • Green Practices: Energy
        • Green Practices: Materials and Products
        • Green Practices: Water
        • Green Practices: Third-Party Certifications
        • Green Practices: Bird-Safe Buildings
        • Green Practices: Waste
        • Green Practices: Pocket Guides
    • Research and Science
      • Methods for Animal Behavior Research DVD
    • Conservation Education
      • Advocating for Education
      • Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium
  • Wildlife Trafficking Alliance
    • About Us
      • Partners
        • Partner Commitments
        • eBay Partnership
    • Illegal Wildlife Trade
      • Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network
      • Species at Risk
    • What You Can Do
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Buy Informed
      • Tips For Travelers
      • Legislative Action Center
    • Partner Resources
    • News
    • Not A Pet
    • Toss the Tusk
  • Equity & Inclusion
    • Diversity Network Group
    • Modeling Zoos and Aquariums of Inclusive Communities of Science
  • AZA Services
    • Join
      • Individual Membership
      • Organization Membership
      • Conservation Partner
      • Society Partner
      • Commercial Membership
      • Student Membership
      • Advocate Membership
      • FAQs About Joining AZA
    • Conferences
      • Annual Conference
      • Mid-Year Meeting
      • Conference Proceedings
        • 2022 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2021 Annual Conference
        • 2021 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Directors' Policy Conference
        • 2020 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Annual Conference
      • Pizzazz
    • Government Affairs
      • Advocacy Webinar Series
      • Advocacy Day
      • Big Cat Public Safety Act
      • Federal Agencies and Public Comments
      • Legislative Education Center
    • Professional Development
      • Webinars
      • Courses
        • AZA Professional Development Course Policies
        • Scholarships
        • Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings
        • Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management
        • Avian Management, Biology and Conservation
        • Behavioral Husbandry Best Practices for Your Animal Welfare Program
        • Creating Successful Exhibits
        • Crocodilian Biology and Professional Management
        • Effective Leadership: Foundation & Development
        • Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums
        • Foundations of Conservation Learning
        • Institutional Records Keeping
        • Leadership in Conservation Learning
        • Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs
        • Population Management I: Data Management and Processing
        • Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recs
        • Principles of Elephant Management I
        • Principles of Elephant Management II
        • Principles of Ambassador Animal Management
        • Wheeling Courses Travel Information
      • Executive Leadership Development Program
        • Applying for ELDP
        • ELDP FAQs
    • Honors & Awards
      • SSP Sustainability Award
        • Sustainability Award Winners
      • Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award
        • Diversity Award Winners
      • Education Award
        • Education Award Winners
      • Edward H. Bean Award
        • Bean Award Winners
      • Excellence in Marketing Award
        • Marketing Award Winners
      • Exhibit Award
        • Exhibit Award Winners
      • Facility Award
        • Facility Award Winners
      • The Green Award
        • Green Award Winners
      • Volunteer Engagement Award
        • Volunteer Engagement Award Winners
      • Research Award
        • Research Award Winners
      • North American Conservation Award
        • North American Conservation Award Winners
      • William G. Conway International Conservation Award
        • William G. Conway International Conservation Award Winners
      • R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence
      • Animal Welfare Lifetime Achievement Award
      • Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development
      • The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award
      • Wendy Fisher Award for Professional Excellence
      • Honorary Membership Award
    • Safety & Preparedness
      • Zoo and Aquarium Safety: Example Practices
      • Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership
      • Antivenom Index
    • Member Resources & Benefits
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • Data, Surveys, & Trends
        • Directors Demographic Survey
        • Economic Impact Reports
        • Benchmark Reports
        • Earned Revenue Data
        • Species Survival Statistics
        • Trends in Visitor Diversity
        • Visitor and Public Research
        • Volunteer Program Survey
        • Zoo and Aquarium Statistics
      • Why AZA Matters
      • AZA Member Discounted Admissions
      • AZA Member Logos
        • AZA Logo Usage Policy
      • AZA Commercial Member Logo
  • Connect
    • Connect Stories
    • Contribute to Connect
    • Connect Photo Contest Winners
    • Connect Photo Contest
    • Advertise
    • Connect Archives
    • Connect Photo Honorable Mentions
    • Connect Photo Highlights
Connect logo
1 2 3
Connect logo
feature

Value Added

By Mary Ellen Collins
01/06/2021
min read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Community Outreach Makes a Difference

Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities are known as fun, family-friendly places to visit; however, their value to their communities extends far beyond that to include a wide range of outreach efforts. Whether a zoo or aquarium offers free tickets, educational programs, or volunteer opportunities, it adds to its identity as a community asset. Snapshots of some of these initiatives highlight the creativity and dedication that define AZA members’ efforts to be a good neighbor to people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and interests.

Access and Literacy

Ensuring that everyone in a community can enjoy its zoo or aquarium is one common outreach strategy. The Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Mich., won AZA’s 2019 Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity award for its program, Zoo in Your Neighborhood. Lansing has a high poverty level and this program allows people to check out free Zoo passes from 41 community partners, including libraries, community centers, and schools.

“Forty-nine percent of people [who use the passes] say that money is preventing them from coming to the Zoo, so we’re definitely filling a need,” said Mariah Martinez, community engagement coordinator at the Zoo. In addition to six passes, each partner organization receives two free outreach programs a year.

“I thought it was a fantastic idea to be able to offer access to the Zoo and programming at the library, so we jumped at the chance to partner with them,” said Anna Curtis, director, Eaton Rapids Area District Library. “Especially at the beginning of the program, people would ask if they had to pay for the passes … they are so grateful for this opportunity.”

She adds that outreach programs like ambassador animal visits and reading with animals are also a big hit. “When we have a lot of people we’ll just do the presentation right in the middle of the library, and regular customers will often pull up a seat to listen.”

Families may use the passes as many times as they want during the seven-day checkout period; and the Zoo reports having 7,248 admissions with passes between November 2017 and September 2020.

A young girl participating in Oklahoma City Zoo's Read for Adventure program

Similarly, The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden in Oklahoma City, Okla., collaborated with the Metropolitan Library System to create the Read for Adventure program, which focuses on literacy and engagement to the outdoors and offers free Zoo access. The program launched locally with 19 metro library locations in 2017 with Our Day at the Zoo, a book written by a library staffer. Anyone who checked the book out received a voucher for free Zoo admission for up to four people. The program went statewide in 2018, with 193 participating public and tribal library locations.

“We wanted to keep the program exciting and decided we needed a new book for 2020,” said Candice Rennels, the Zoo’s director of public relations. “Monarch conservation is a big part of our work and it’s big initiative for our state.” A Zoo staff member wrote Juniper’s Butterfly Garden; and the Zoo partnered with the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company to help with printing costs and promoting the program.

“We understand the importance of the monarch and we’ve wanted to do our part,” said Brian Alford, director of corporate affairs, OG&E.  “We’ve been building way points for them at some of our facilities and doing very intentional planting. The Zoo is an incredible resource for our community by providing ways for people to learn more, and this was a very good opportunity for us to partner with them.”

Since the program’s inception more than 30,000 Oklahomans have visited the Zoo at no cost.

Learning of All Kinds 

Simply visiting a zoo or aquarium is a valuable learning opportunity, and many AZA members broaden their commitment to learning with a variety of initiatives. For example, Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Conn., has Sea School, the country’s only accredited preschool located in an Aquarium.

“We want the people in the community to see us as a resource … and we’re able to turn the whole Aquarium into a learning lab for three-to-five-year-olds,” said MaryEllen Mateleska, director of education and conservation at the Aquarium.

Stephanie Sobotka’s oldest son has completed Sea School; another son is there now; and her daughter will attend when she’s old enough.

“It is so unique—the environment they have exposure to is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” she said. “It’s exciting, fun, different, and very nature-centric, which is something we value in our family. I believe that the program is as magical as it is because of the teachers’ passion. They are teaching the next generation the importance of the connection we have to the ocean and sea life. They have an extensive background in early childhood education, and they are exceptional role models for the children and the parents.” She also praised the School’s inclusivity, noting that scholarships are available.

In Des Moines, Iowa, Blank Park Zoo’s educational outreach includes a Work & Learn Inclusion Program for local high school students with special needs. It began a pilot program in 2016 in response to one parent’s request.

Zach driving the train at Blank Park Zoo

“We had a family in the community whose son with autism had a passion for animals,” said Chris Eckles, chief engagement officer at the Zoo “She wanted to know what the Zoo could do to help him learn job skills while learning about animals. We had education staff who had done this kind of work before, so they sat down with Trevor’s parents and came up with a  hands-on learning experience.”

The next year they launched the Work and Learn program with three more students from Trevor’s school. In a one-on-one working relationship with a staff member, each participant learns job and social skills that may eventually lead to jobs or volunteer positions at the Zoo.

Diane Drey’s 17-year-old son, Zack, entered the program last year. “Most people choose to be with the animals, but he chose the maintenance shed,” she said. “They never had anyone do that, but he got a lot of education about tools and the train—greasing the chains and working on the brakes. He even got the chance to drive the train and make sure his brakes worked.”

“You can see the confidence and pride he has now. When we go to the Zoo it seems like everyone knows who he is and says ‘Hi.’ There are not extensive opportunities in the metro area for anyone who’s a little different. The team at the Zoo is so welcoming…I feel very comfortable with Zack there because I know he’s going to be surrounded by people who see the value in him.”

Hands-On Activism 

Citizen science provides another popular way to engage the community. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Fla., recruits volunteer beach ambassadors to participate in their Beach Conditions Reporting System (BCRS). These individuals collect and report on a wide range of beach conditions ranging from wind speed, wave height, and surf type to crowds, debris, and respiratory irritation related to Florida’s red tide.

“Mote is a science and research institution, and outreach and education is a huge component of what we do,” said Kevin Claridge, associate vice president, sponsored research and coastal policy programs at the Aquarium.

Beach ambassadors receive training on how to gather the information and transfer it to a mobile app that becomes a resource for scientists, residents, and visitors.

“The goal of the program is to enhance the beachgoers’ experience and protect public health by alerting people about conditions and hazards,” said Aspen Cook, research technician and outreach specialist, Environmental Health Program at Mote.

Christiane Vinet began reporting on conditions at Pass-a-Grille Beach about two years ago out of personal need.

“We only live about half a block away, and I needed to have information on things like jellyfish and rough surf before bringing my son, Aaron, who has autism, to the beach,” she said. Her other son, Graham, who has joined her in the reporting, adds that he is getting valuable data collection experience that will help him in his environmental science studies at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. The two are among 150 ambassadors who report on 40 locations.

Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, R.I., has empowered community members to educate others about the natural environment by recruiting them to serve as Earth Agents. Last year’s program involved educating ten families about the rainforest and asking them to share that information at an event in their communities.  

“We were mindful about not defining community, family, or event,” said Shareen Knowlton, director of education at the Zoo. “In order for it to work and be authentic, it had to be in their voice. We wanted them to be an extension of us in building capacity and no one let us down.”

Amanda Campbell, her husband and two daughters, a pre-Covid homeschool family invited members of their homeschool organization to gather for a fun day at a local Boys and Girls Club. The event included a presentation about the rainforest; petitions to sign; a Jenga game that featured keystone species; information about an app that helps people shop for products with sustainably sourced palm oil; and rainforest Beanie Babies for the young kids to play with.

“I told the people who came, ‘Our family is the stone that was cast into the pond and the ripples are all of you,” said Campbell. “‘Now you go out and be the stone.’ One of the families asked us to do our presentation for seven other homeschool families. And the kids have been much more intentional about sharing the information.”

Programs that lead to a more educated and engaged community will naturally result in a larger pool of advocates for the zoos and aquariums themselves and for conservation in general.

Being a good neighbor leads to benefits for everyone. 

Photos:
Tile photo and top photo: © Potter Park Zoo
Middle photo: Read for Adventure Program, © Oklahoma City Zoo
Bottom photo: Zach driving the train and testing the brakes he worked on, © Blank Park Zoo

Mary Ellen Collins is a writer based in St. Petersburg, Fla.


Back to All Stories
    Related Stories
  • Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild »
  • SAFE Under the Sea »
  • SAFE Gorilla »
  • About
  • Accreditation
  • Animal Management
  • Conservation
  • AZA Services
Zoo & Aquarium Finder Join Contact AZA
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • My AZA
  • Calendar
  • Login
Contact AZA
8403 Colesville Rd., Suite 710
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3314
Phone: 301-562-0777
Tax ID: 68-0480736
EIN: 55-0526930
  • Corporate Partnerships
  • Advertise
  • Photo Credits
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
© 1997 - 2023 AZA • All Rights Reserved
Memphis Web Design by Speak
I Accept

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. If you continue using our website, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website and you agree to our Privacy Policy.

loading