AZA Conservation

There is an AZA accredited zoo and aquarium in virtually every major community in the United States. These 208 zoos and aquariums follow the highest professional and ethical standards, and are beloved and trusted treasures that provide fun, safe, home-town experiences that connect real animals to people.

Behind this dedication to communities and people is a far ranging and powerful commitment to first-rate animal care, life-saving research, cutting edge education programs, and worldwide field conservation.  Collectively AZA member institutions engage in more on-the-ground wildlife conservation and education projects than virtually any other organization in America.

Attendance at AZA zoos exceeds the number who attend professional football, basketball, ice hockey and baseball games combined.  And people learn when they visit.  A recent Roper Organization poll showed that 92% of Americans believe that zoos and aquariums educate people about animals and wildlife issues they would otherwise have never have known about.

Working in collaboration with over 100 universities, AZA members’ scientific programs produced more than 1,000 professional submissions on wildlife biology and other conservation topics.  Knowing that wildlife conservation is rooted in science, AZA members annually invest over $50 million in scientific research.

AZA zoos and aquariums are living classrooms, teaching more than 12 million people annually in scheduled educational programs, and providing teacher training to 85,000 teachers in conservation education.

AZA zoos and aquariums understand that real-life conservation is difficult, and that many individuals and organizations are dedicated and effective. But these zoos and aquariums deeply believe that their unwavering commitment to community, animal care, research, education and conservation, enables them to speak and act as trusted, powerful and leading voices about animals and conservation.

With their membership in and commitment to their Washington, DC based association, these AZA institutions act quickly, collectively, in concert with vital partners, and with impact on national and international issues.  AZA zoos and aquariums have adopted a collective strategic plan to advance their leadership across a broad front of conservation, education, animal care and advocacy. That plan is a passionate commitment to each other, and to partners in efforts worldwide.