Honors and Awards

The Advocacy Impact Award recognizes exceptional efforts by AZA-accredited institutions (both U.S. and international) and conservation partner members toward advocacy initiatives that advance legislation for animal wellbeing, habitat preservation, species restoration, support of biodiversity in the wild, as well as the work of AZA-accredited members in confiscation, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts. 

The award celebrates excellence and innovation in the execution of strategic, proactive advocacy efforts that provide engagement opportunities for our collective zoo and aquarium community to advance policy and help ‘move the needle’ on priority legislation. 

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Advocacy Impact Award Application Packet

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

Through the Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award, AZA recognizes institutions that demonstrate transformational leadership in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Winning institutions will successfully demonstrate that they have implemented significant changes through strategies that have ripple effects throughout the organization and beyond. Those organizations selected for the award demonstrate their leadership as a zoo or aquarium that is helping to transform our industry to be more diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive for all people in support of the mission of AZA and member organizations.

The award recognizes institutions that have made significant strides in creating influential and transformative programs in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion – and that serve as catalysts for change for the organization and beyond. Programs designed as one-time or special events for single implementation will not be considered. Projects must be active at the time of submission to be eligible for this award.

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award Application Packet

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognizes Public Relations and earned media's valuable role in promoting and advancing our organizational missions, building and sustaining business, institutional risk management, and influencing the trust, favorability, and perception of zoos and aquariums with our various audiences.

Through the Earned Media Excellence Award, AZA recognizes outstanding, proactive public relations efforts developed and executed by its member facilities.

Awards will be presented in two categories, both split by the facility’s annual attendance size:

Earned Media Project

• One earned media placement from AZA members that welcome under 1 million guests annually
• One earned media placement from AZA members that welcome 1 million guests or more annually

Earned Media Campaign

• One for campaigns from AZA members that welcome under 1 million guests annually
• One for campaigns from AZA members that welcome 1 million guests or more annually.

Project submissions can take the form of a single placement that represents any individual media type (print, radio, television, digital), while campaigns must demonstrate a combination of media stories with a minimum of ten (10) placements across three (3) or more media formats. 

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Earned Media Excellence Award Application Packet 

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

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. 

Awards are presented in two categories based on institutional budget (budgets less than $8 million and budgets of $8 million or more).

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Education Award Application Packet 

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

The Edward H. Bean Population Sustainability Award recognizes and celebrates the successes of initiatives that advance the long-term sustainability of species through managed and wild populations. It recognizes efforts that have a quantifiable impact on population sustainability, promote collaboration, and align with the goals of AZA’s Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) and Species Survival Plan® (SSP) programs. 

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Edward H. Bean Population Sustainability Award Application Packet

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

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-Accredited Institution (US or International) or Accredited Related Facility member.

Only exhibits opened in calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024 can be considered for the 2025 awards. Exhibits that open to the public in 2025 will be eligible for the 2026 awards cycle.

Awards are presented in two categories based on annual operating budget (budgets of $8 million or less and budgets of more than $8 million).

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Exhibit Award Application Packet

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, through its Facility Award, recognizes excellence in the design and construction of a facility that supports the mission of an AZA Institution (US or International) or Related Facility member. This award recognizes transformative built projects that do not include animal exhibitions as their primary function. 

These projects could consist of animal hospitals, education facilities, entrances, restaurants or retail, infrastructure, or other projects that support the operations and goals of the zoo or aquarium. Submitted projects can be renovations but should be transformative. 

Only projects completed in calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024 can be considered for the 2025 awards. Projects completed in 2025 must wait until 2026 to submit an application. 

Awards are presented in two categories based on annual operating budget (budgets of $8 million or less and budgets of more than $8 million).

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Facility Award Application Packet

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, through its Green Award, recognizes excellence in the area of institution-wide “green” programs designed to reduce the environmental impact of the organization, thus putting our conservation mission into action.

The leaders of the winning zoos and aquariums will be those who recognize that being green is a good business practice and directly contributes to the conservation of the natural world. The leaders of the winning institutions will have demonstrated commitment to continuous evaluation and improvement directly attributed to the recognition that our conservation mission begins with how we operate our facilities.

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Green Award Application Packet 

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

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. Through the Marketing Excellence Award, AZA recognizes outstanding marketing campaigns developed and executed by its member institutions.

Awards will be presented in two categories: campaigns with budgets under $175,000 and campaigns with budgets of $175,000 or higher.

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Marketing Excellence Award Application Packet

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums names conservation as its highest priority and recognizes exceptional efforts by AZA-accredited institutions, AZA-accredited related facilities, and conservation partner members toward regional habitat preservation, species restoration, and support of biodiversity in the wild through its North American Conservation Award. 

Regional efforts include those within the submitting institution's country or local bioclimatic/geographic area, which may only include countries outside North America that are contiguous to those areas.

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

North American Conservation Award Application Packet 

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognizes exceptional efforts by AZA-accredited institutions, AZA-accredited related facilities, and conservation partner members to advance the body of scientific knowledge as it relates to providing excellent welfare for the animals in our care, advancing field conservation efforts, and maximizing our impact on visitors. 

Institutions may submit long-term research projects that have already garnered significant results/application but are ongoing. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate the use of novel methods or technologies to address significant research questions and projects that already have clear implications for science or applied purposes.

Submissions should be for AZA mission-focused research on:

• Applied research that informs our understanding and management of animals, including reproduction, nutrition, epidemiology, sensory biology, physiology, population biology, behavior, welfare, etc.
• Basic research that focuses on increasing understanding of fundamental biological principles, including evolutionary biology, physiology, behavior, etc.
• Applied research that advances species, habitat, or ecosystem conservation.
• Research that advances the field of science communication or education (visitors’ studies, marketing, interpretation, exhibit design, formal and informal education).

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Research Award Application Packet

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognizes achievement in an organization’s ability to engage volunteers in the overall mission and operation of the organization. This application can be used to nominate overall volunteer engagement or a specific project or initiative within volunteer engagement.

Awards will be presented in two categories based on the Annual Operating Budget – less than $8 million and $8 million and above.

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

Volunteer Engagement Award Application Packet

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums names conservation as its highest priority and recognizes exceptional efforts by AZA-accredited institutions, AZA-accredited related facilities, and conservation partner members toward habitat preservation, species restoration, and support of biodiversity in the wild through its William G. Conway International Conservation Award

How to Apply

All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file and uploaded to the AZA Dropbox link in the application packet below.

William G. Conway International Conservation Award Application Packet

Note to Applicants: As you complete the fillable fields in this application, sections of the document may shift. The Table of Contents will not automatically update, so links may not always jump to the correct section if content has moved. 

Conferred by the Animal Welfare Committee

Established July 2017
Animal welfare is a critical part of modern professional animal care, and there are many animals that have benefited from the dedication of animal welfare practitioners. Individuals within the AZA community who have moved the field of animal welfare forward through implementation, research, education, veterinary care and professional development that improves animal lives deserve to and should be recognized. 

The Animal Welfare Individual Leadership Award honors a person who significantly influences the quality of animals’ lives through long-term personal commitment to the field of animal welfare. The significant contributions can be in the form of animal management, professional development, education, research, and/or exhibit design. 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.

Animal Welfare Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Form 

Conferred by the Accreditation Commission

Established in 2015

The AZA Accreditation Quarter Century Award acknowledges 25 years of continuous accreditation, AZA's gold standard for zoo & aquarium quality. This honor recognizes commitment to maintaining the highest standards in animal care, welfare, management, veterinary care, conservation, education, staffing, facilities, safety, guest services, and more. Awardees are applauded for their continuous dedication to the best modern zoological practices and philosophies--the hallmarks of AZA accreditation.

Please note: This award is automatically granted by the Accreditation Commission and does not require a nomination.

Conferred by the Research and Technology Committee

First Award presented posthumously to Devra Kleiman in 2014 at the AZA Annual Conference in Orlando.

The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award recognizes outstanding scientific research contributions to the field(s) of animal management, education, and/or conservation within the AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium community. This award, named for its first recipient Devra Kleiman, honors an individual’s long-term commitment to using science-based research and mentoring others to advance the zoo and aquarium profession.  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. 

The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award Nomination Form 

Conferred by the Professional Development Committee

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 Professional Development Committee. 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.

Qualifications

Service is broadly interpreted to include direct participation and outstanding achievement in instruction, course creation and support, program development and administration (Professional Development Committee), and/or essential administrative support.

The best candidate would demonstrate outstanding contributions in one or more of the following categories:

• course service (instruction, management, creation)
• program service (administration, improvement of program)
• significant academic or logistical service (academic or site partners)

Nominees must have a minimum of ten years of service to the AZA Professional Development Schools. Current Professional Development Committee members are not eligible. Past Professional Development Committee members may be nominated one full year after completing their last term of service.

Nomination Process

Nominations will be discussed fully and confidentially by the Professional Development Committee. If an award is made, results will be announced during the honors and awards ceremony at the AZA Annual Conference.

Nominations must be supported by two AZA members, one of whom is a current PDC member. Please use the form below to submit a nomination.

Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development Nomination Form 

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. 

To qualify for consideration, a candidate must unquestionably meet the following standards: 

• The candidate must be a member of AZA in good standing at the time the nomination is filed. 
• The candidate must have a demonstrated impeccable character and a distinguished record of honorable service to the association throughout his or her career. 
• The candidate must be strongly committed to education, conservation, science, recreation, and the welfare of animals, and actively involved in furthering these causes within the zoo and aquarium profession. 
• The candidate must have made outstanding contributions to the zoo and aquarium profession and its science or technology, as represented by scholarly publications and presentations, institutional and association leadership, and/or other tangible and measurable achievements.

Nomination Procedure

Nominations are accepted year-round and are due to the AZA Chair of the Board no later than December 15th at 5:00 PM of the year preceding the year in which the award is to be conferred.

Nominations must be supported by at least two professional fellows, one of whom must be an AZA Board member. 

Upon receipt of nominations, if any, the Chair of the Board shall immediately forward the nominations to all AZA Board members, soliciting confidential written comments by no later than February 1st of the following year. The Chair of the Board may solicit other confidential comments. 

Immediately following February 1st, the Chair of the Board shall circulate the comments to all Board members for their confidential review prior to final discussion and action at the Spring meeting of the Board. The nominations shall be discussed fully and confidentially during the Board's executive session at the spring meeting. 

Voting on the nominations shall follow and be by written secret ballot. A minimum of 2/3 of the votes of those in attendance shall be required for approval. An abstention shall be counted as a nay vote. If a nominee is approved, results shall not be revealed to the membership until the Award presentation at the AZA Annual Conference. 

The R. Marlin Perkins Award may be conferred posthumously.

Nominations should be made in writing with the R. Marlin Perkins Award Nomination Form (PDF). 

In 2004, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums established the Wendy Fisher Award for Professional Excellence to honor Association of Zoos and Aquariums 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. 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.

Qualifications

• To qualify for consideration, a candidate must unquestionably meet the following criteria:
• The candidate must be a Commercial Member in good standing at the time the nomination is filed.
• He or she must demonstrate impeccable character and a distinguished record of honorable service to AZA throughout his or her career
• He or she must be strongly committed to education, conservation, science, recreation, and the welfare of animals. 

Nominations Process

Nominations shall be submitted to the AZA Board Chair by no later than June 13 at 5:00 PM EST. Nominations must be made by an AZA member and supported by at least one member of the AZA Board. 

Wendy Fisher Professional Excellence Award Nomination Form (PDF)

After receipt of a duly prepared and submitted application, the AZA Board Chair shall send the nomination materials confidentially to all Board members for their review and voluntary comments. If comments are received, the Chair shall distribute them to Board members prior to the Board meeting to prepare members for an informed decision on the award. Nominations and comments shall be discussed fully and confidentially during the executive session of the Board at the summer Board meeting. Voting on the nominations will occur through a written secret ballot. A minimum of two-thirds of the votes of those in attendance is required for approval. 

Over the years, the AZA Board of Directors has designated and awarded deserving individuals an honorary membership. These individuals have made significant contributions to the zoological profession during their careers. In addition, recipients of the R. Marlin Perkins Award automatically receive an honorary membership so long as they are no longer working in the zoological profession.