Toolkit for Increasing AZA-Accredited Zoo & Aquarium Contributions to Field Conservation

36 Pages·2012·6.59 MB·English

Toolkit for Increasing
AZA-Accredited Zoo & Aquarium
Contributions to Field Conservation

© Patty Scanlan, Dama Gazelle (Gazella dama), Gladys Porter Zoo

Created by the AZA Field Conservation Committee, 2012
Conservation Toolkit
Table of Contents

Introduction..........................................................................................................................................3
Definition of Field Conservation for the AZA Community....................................................................4
AZA Conservation-Related Accreditation Standards............................................................................6
Conservation-Related Accreditation Application Questions................................................................7
Guidelines to Develop an Institutional Conservation Strategic Plan....................................................8
Ideas for Dedicated Streams of Revenue for Conservation................................................................13
Conservation Day Ideas.......................................................................................................................14
Engaging Your Organization................................................................................................................15
Promoting Your Field Conservation Initiatives...................................................................................33
Additional Resources..........................................................................................................................36

2
Conservation Toolkit
Introduction

The AZA Field Conservation Committee recognizes that AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums serve as
conservation centers that are concerned about ecosystem health, take responsibility for species survival,
contribute to research, conservation, and education, and provide society the opportunity to develop
personal connections with the animals in their care. These esteemed institutions play a vital role in
maintaining our planet’s diverse wildlife and natural habitats while engaging the public to appreciate and
participate in conservation.

The 2010 AZA Annual Report on Conservation Science (ARCS) summarized the substantial collective
effort AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums dedicated towards projects that have a direct conservation
impact for animals in the wild. In summary, 174 of AZA’s 239 accredited institutions and certified-related
facilities submitted data and $130 million was spent on over 1,900 conservation initiatives in more than
100 countries! This figure represents 10 different kinds of conservation activities, including donations to
conservation organizations, the management of our own programs, the rescue and rehabilitation of
endangered species, education programs that directly protect species in the wild, and research vital to the
conservation of endangered species in the field.

One of the goals of the AZA’s Field Conservation Committee is to significantly increase the amount of
resources being committed to field conservation. While $130 million is a substantial amount, when you
break these data down, AZA institutions, on average, spend slightly less than 2% of their annual budgets
on field conservation. The Field Conservation Committee challenges AZA member institutions to
increase this amount to 3% within 3 years, so that we as a community can say that we spend $200 million
annually!

Then when asked: "Why do we have zoos and aquariums?" the answer will be easy…. Because every
five years, we generate $1 billion for the conservation of animals in the wild. This answer will help ensure
that we stay relevant for our visitors who want us to be the leaders in the protection of the animals they
care so much about.

This toolkit consolidates a plethora of information that can help your institution accomplish this challenge.
A definition of field conservation is provided to ensure we in the AZA community are all “speaking the
same language”. AZA conservation–related accreditation standards and application questions are
detailed. Guidelines on how to develop an “Institutional Conservation Strategic Plan” are presented.
Ideas for developing dedicated revenue streams for conservation are suggested. Examples of ways to
engage and promote your organization’s field conservation activities are also included. Additional
resources are identified to assist your efforts.

If you need further information or have suggestions for this toolkit please contact Steve Burns,
[email protected], Field Conservation Committee Chair.

3
Conservation Toolkit
Definition of Field Conservation for the AZA Community
Developed by the AZA Field Conservation Committee (2012)

The AZA Field Conservation Committee defined field conservation for the AZA community as directly
contributing to the long-term survival of species in natural ecosystems and habitats, as defined below:
1. Direct Action
a. Field work. Direct costs of institution-sponsored field work including research, community-
based programs, population management, translocations, reintroductions, park management,
securing of additional park space
b. Species Recovery. The direct cost of food, housing, veterinary care, and husbandry of
animals in captive breeding programs where the animals are slated to be reintroduced back
into the wild within a defined period of time in accordance with an existing recovery program.
This includes:
i. The rehabilitation of animals that are part of a managed program and they are
scheduled to be reintroduced into the wild
ii. The direct cost of a wildlife rescue operation of state, federal, or provincially
protected animals that are being reintroduced back into the wild.
c. Veterinary Care.
i. Direct costs of veterinary care for wildlife disease issues and animal health
issues for animals found in the institution’s collection if it directly impacts the
conservation of species in the wild.
ii. Direct costs of veterinary care for wildlife disease issues and animal health
issues for animals not found in the institution’s collection.
d. Conservation Assurance Populations. Direct cost of food, housing and care of animals that
are being housed at the institution or in-country facility, either on or off exhibit, which cannot
be reintroduced back into the wild at this time because of in-situ conditions. The species
must be classified as either “Extinct in the Wild” or “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red
List. Plus, the institution must be actively working with partners to determine a strategy for
reintroduction back into the wild. (An example is a population of frogs that cannot be
reintroduced because of the chytrid fungus.)
2. Research
a. Direct costs of research that takes place outside of the institution and helps protect species in
the wild, or protection of species or ecosystems in-situ.
b. Direct costs of research that takes place inside the institution but is essential to the protection
of species in the wild, or protection of species or ecosystems in-situ.
3. Field Conservation Education
a. Awareness-building through informational/educational materials. Direct costs for work done
on behalf of an NGO that publicizes conservation and not the institution itself. (ex.
Developing and printing guides for customs inspection agents.)
b. Outcome-oriented Education. Direct costs of conservation education programs that take
place outside of the institution and target an audience that directly impacts the species or
habitat of concern. Also includes the direct costs of an in-zoo/aquarium program that is
specific to protecting a local species or habitat of concern. Ideally, programs can be shown
to improve wild animal numbers or survival. General education program costs do not qualify.
c. Training and Building Conservation Capacity. Direct costs of training staff or volunteers not
employed by the institution for field conservation work. This may include providing
scholarships or sponsoring participation in workshops or conferences and financially
supporting local citizens in conservation and research. (ex. Training citizen scientists to
participate in field conservation projects as defined above).
4. Advocacy
a. Direct costs of work done to lobby for or generate support for conservation other than for
direct support for the institution (ex. Lobbying to strengthen a law that provides increased
protection of animals in the wild.)
4
Conservation Toolkit

5. Fundraising/Direct Grants
a. Cash grants made to other conservation organizations to support field work that meets the
above definitions.
b. The value of any goods, equipment or supplies (including educational supplies) donated to
field conservation projects as defined above.
c. In-kind personnel support if your institution’s employee is doing the work that would normally
be done by an employee of another conservation organization. This would be direct costs
only, not administrative overhead.
i. This may include salary and benefit costs of person(s) managing field conservation
grants, reflecting percentage of time spent doing so

Note : Direct costs may include salary and benefits of employees who are doing field conservation work
1
as defined above, reflecting the percentage of time spent doing so.

Note : Sanctuary support may be included as a field conservation expenditure if the sanctuary:
2
• Is in range-country;
• Has an active conservation education program;
• Works with law enforcement to assist authorities with confiscations; and/or
• Participates in field conservation activities as defined above (would include reintroduction,
research, assurance populations, etc.)

Note : Green operational practices, basic research, and education conservation components are being
3
defined and documented for AZA through a separate instrument because they directly impact an
institution’s bottom line and the link to protection of species in the wild is indirect.

5
Conservation Toolkit
AZA Conservation-Related Accreditation Standards

AZA has several conservation-related accreditation standards, these include:

3.1. Mission
3.1.1. Conservation must be a key component of the institution’s mission.
3.2. Conservation Program
3.2.1. The institution must have a written conservation action plan/strategy in proportion to the size
and scope of the organization.
3.2.2. Each institution should evaluate/measure the impact of its conservation program/activities.

3.3. Participation/Support
3.3.1. The institution must participate in every SSP that pertains to an animal contained in its
collection. The institution may indicate at what level it desires to participate in each SSP.
3.3.2. The institution must actively support and participate in AZA wildlife conservation programs,
and cooperate in providing pertinent information on its animal collection in a timely fashion to
sources such as studbook keepers, SSP species coordinators, TAGs, and CAPs.
3.3.3. The institution must support wildlife conservation programs and AZA Animal Programs.
3.3.4. The institution must have involvement in regional or international conservation programs
through staff or resources.
3.3.5. The institution must demonstrate responsible energy and natural resource conservation
through such activities as waste minimization (e.g., recycling, composting, etc.), water
conservation initiatives, reduced energy consumption, use of other alternative energy sources,
and other “green” practices. Resource conservation efforts should be in proportion to the size
and scope of the organization.

Download the complete AZA Accreditation Standards here: http://www.aza.org/accred-resource-center/

6
Conservation Toolkit
Conservation-Related Accreditation Application Questions

Zoos and aquariums wishing to become AZA accredited, or renew their AZA accreditation, must answer
specific conservation-related questions in their application. The AZA Field Conservation Committee
recommends that your institutional conservation strategic plan includes a goal of allocating at least 3% of
your annual budget to field conservation and an action plan of how this will be accomplished. AZA
accreditation conservation-related application questions include:

C-1. Appearing on Visiting Committee Report form only.
C-2. Does your institution have a written conservation action plan/strategy? [3.2.1]
Yes, see CD or flash drive No
C-3. Describe how you evaluate the effectiveness of your institution’s conservation efforts. [3.2.2]
See CD or flash drive Statement Provided Here:
C-4. List your institution's involvement in all Species Survival Plans (SSPs), Taxon Advisory Groups
(TAGs), Science Advisory Groups (SAGs), Conservation Action Partnerships (CAPs), Field
Conservation Committees (FCCs), and other cooperative conservation programs with similar
institutions. [3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.5]
See CD or flash drive
C-5 to C-7. Appearing on Visiting Committee Report form only.
C-8. Provide a list of the types of conservation initiatives your institution, staff, and governing authority
participate in (e.g., educational programs/materials that increase public awareness on the
importance of preserving ecosystems, training programs that provide field experiences, programs
that aid the transfer of relevant technology for use in the field, programs that purchase land or
contribute funds to establish reserves, field research programs, and development of economic
incentives to preserve the ecosystem.) Include information on local, regional, state/province,
academic, national, and international activities. [3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.3.5]

See CD or flash drive

C-9/C-10. Appearing on Visiting Committee Report form only.
C-11. If your institution maintains elephants, provide a written description of how your institution
contributes to research and conservation of elephants in captivity or the wild. [AZA’s Standards
for Elephant Management and Care]
See CD or flash drive N/A Statement Provided Here:
C-12. Describe your institution's programs for energy and natural resource conservation. [3.3.5]
See CD or flash drive Statement Provided Here:

7
Conservation Toolkit
Guidelines to Develop an Institutional Conservation Strategic Plan
Created by the “Developing an Institutional In situ Conservation Strategy” Professional Development
Course Administrators in Association with the AZA Field Conservation Committee

Zoos and Aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) serve as conservation
centers that contribute to research, conservation, and education, and provide society the opportunity to
develop personal connections with the animals. By fostering this connection, AZA-accredited institutions
also have the opportunity to help the public cultivate an appreciation for the need to conserve wildlife
populations in their natural habitats. AZA recognizes that conservation of natural animal populations and
habitats is a priority and has incorporated the development of a written conservation plan or strategy into
the accreditation process.

Conservation efforts may include interpretive materials and programs, participation in AZA animal
management programs, in-situ and ex-situ research efforts, and resource support for independent and
cooperative in situ conservation programs. Institutional participation in conservation programs, to the
extent appropriate for that institution’s resources, must be demonstrated. Conservation efforts should
have as their ultimate goal the maintenance of sustainable wildlife populations in their natural habitat
whenever possible. The AZA Field Conservation Committee recommends that your institutional
conservation strategic plan includes a goal of allocating at least 3% of your annual budget to field
conservation and an action plan of how this will be accomplished.

These guidelines were developed to help institutions meet AZA’s conservation accreditation standards,
which are highlighted in boxes throughout this section document. All accreditation standards are subject
to annual revision therefore staff at AZA-accredited institutions are required to comply with those most
recently listed on the AZA website which might not yet be included in these guidelines.

Section 1: Institutional Vision and Mission
Conservation must be a key element in the mission of the
AZA Accreditation Standard
institution (AZA Accreditation Standard 3.1.1), which means that
either the word “conservation” should be used in the mission (3.1.1) Conservation must be a key
element in the mission of the institution.
statement, or it must be implied or embodied. If conservation is
not a key element in the mission, the institution should:
• Involve all key conservation program and executive level staff and stakeholders to rewrite the vision
and mission to include conservation.
• Define the term “conservation” to ensure consistent expectations throughout the organization.
• Consider how their conservation activities, either immediately or eventually, aim to achieve the goal of
maintaining sustainable wildlife populations in their natural habitat whenever possible.

Section 2: A Conservation Plan/Strategy
Conservation efforts should have the establishment or
AZA Accreditation Standard
maintenance of sustainable wildlife populations in their natural
habitat as their ultimate goal, whenever possible. To become (3.2.1) The institution must have a written
conservation plan/strategy.
accredited, all facilities must have a written conservation
plan/strategy (AZA Accreditation Standard 3.2.1). These plans should describe how conservation is
integral to the institution and should address the following questions:
•••• Why is conservation important to your institution?
•••• What organizational values make conservation important to you?
•••• What is the scope of your conservation programs? For example, do you support a few or several
programs/projects; are they internal, local, regional, national or international; does conservation
comprise a predetermined percentage of your budget? How was this scope determined?
•••• What kinds of conservation programs/projects do you consider most important to your institution?
Why? Oftentimes, conservation priorities reflect collections, staff expertise, community needs, or
existing partnerships.
•••• What are the guiding principles that underlie your conservation program? What criteria do you use to
select which conservation programs/projects you will participate in or support?
•••• Are there specific geographic areas or taxa that your institution emphasizes?
8
Conservation Toolkit
•••• Are there specific issues (e.g., amphibian declines, habitat restoration, species recovery, etc.) you
want to address?
•••• What are the most important accomplishments you want your institution to achieve with its
conservation activities (e.g., have staff work in the field, conduct behavioral research within your
institution, fund programs/projects that complement your collection, preserve habitats, reintroduce
animals, educate the public, etc.)?
•••• How does your conservation program support the maintenance of wildlife populations in natural
habitats?
•••• How do you evaluate whether your conservation programs/projects are successful?

Section 3: Funding and Resource Allocation
Conservation strategies/plans should describe the types of funding and other resource allocation used to
support conservation by an institution. These types may include:
• Solely funded and staffed field and/or in-house programs/projects (local, international)
• Participating in partnerships for field conservation (local, international)
• Providing grant funding to internal research or external field programs/projects
• Providing staff or material resources to programs/projects

Section 4: Wildlife Conservation Programs
AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums must support wildlife
AZA Accreditation Standard
conservation programs (AZA Accreditation Standard 3.3.4), such
as those led by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (3.3.4) The institution must support
wildlife conservation programs.
(WAZA), the Species Survival Commission (SSC), the
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), local
universities, conservation organizations, federal or state wildlife conservation plans, or others. These
programs can be local, regional, national, or international. Emphasis should be placed on conservation
programs that integrate species conservation, ecosystem functions, and participation of local
stakeholders. Conservation activities should be multi-disciplinary and may include:
•••• Participation in AZA Animal Programs
•••• Plant conservation
•••• Habitat restoration (local, international)
•••• Species reintroduction
•••• Field conservation
•••• On-site, local, or international conservation education
•••• Public awareness programming
•••• Facilitation of public participation in conservation activities
•••• Capacity building, training colleagues, or technology transfer
•••• Community-based conservation
•••• Conservation commerce
•••• Small grants programs for field conservation.
•••• Green operations (green building, resource conservation)

Section 5: Program Organization
A conservation plan/strategy should describe the conservation
program infrastructure, including the staff, goals, evaluation, and AZA Accreditation Standard
funding. Conservation programs should be evaluated on a regular (3.2.2) Conservation programs should be
evaluated on a regular basis.
basis (AZA Accreditation Standard 3.2.2). Descriptions may
include information about:
•••• Committee/department structure and staff
o If there is a committee, who is on it, how are they chosen, and how long do they serve?
o If there is a department, which staff are included?
o What are each person’s responsibilities?
o What roles are staff allowed or encouraged to play in field programs (e.g., project leader, data
collection, etc.)?
9
Conservation Toolkit
o What roles are staff allowed or encouraged to play in AZA Animal Programs, Scientific Advisory
Groups, or Committees?
• Decision making
o What is the process for determining which programs/projects are selected for support or
involvement (e.g., formal application, money allocated to departments to use on their in situ or
institution-based programs/projects, staff given priority, etc.)? Describe process for both in-situ
and ex-situ programs/projects.
o Who makes the decisions, including who chooses the programs/projects?
o What are the criteria for funding?
o What information is required from grant applicants; is there a formal grant application? If yes,
include it in an appendix.
o Are there written criteria for the types of programs that your institution will support (e.g., only
species in the collection, only in Asia, etc.)?
o If you don’t have a formal decision process for choosing programs/projects, are there informal
‘rules’ for the types of programs/projects your institution will support? What are they?
• Program and project goals
o Describe specific program or project goals.
o How does the program/project result in improved conservation of wildlife in natural habitats?
o How does the program/project address or complement priorities of AZA Animal Programs (e.g.,
Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) Action Plans, Animal Care Manual (ACM) and Species Survival
Plan® (SSP)-identified research needs, etc.)?
•••• Program and project outcomes
o Describe the anticipated outcomes for the programs/projects.
o How do these outcomes relate to the stated goals of the program/project? How does the
achievement of these outcomes demonstrate success in reaching the goal of the
program/project?
o How is the success of programs/projects in achieving outcomes measured? Programs/projects
should use measurable metrics that directly relate to improved conservation of wildlife or
habitats (e.g. increase in wildlife population size, demonstrated change in attitudes toward
conservation, area of habitat protected) to assess progress and success.
o What types of reports are required from program/project leaders?
o How are programs/projects evaluated and how often?
o How is information about the programs/projects disseminated, both internally within the
organization, to zoo/aquarium visitors and in the local community, in the region where the
program/project is implemented, and to the AZA and/or scientific community?
•••• Funding
o Describe how programs/projects are and will be funded (e.g., applying for grant, identifying
donors for programs/projects through the zoo/aquarium’s fundraising network, allocating
operating funds, etc.)?

Section 6: Current Conservation Programs and Projects
A conservation plan/strategy should describe all current conservation programs/projects and
commitments. Specifically, the plan/strategy should describe:
• Staff and volunteer involvement and their roles.
• How each program/project is supported (e.g., grants, donor, operations, etc.)
• Program/project goals, objectives, and outcomes of each program/project in terms of the improved
conservation of wildlife or wild habitats.
• Evaluation methods for each program/project. Evaluations should assess progress toward stated
goals/objectives using pre-determined qualitative and quantitative metrics.
• How an organization regularly documents and reports the outcomes, current status, and short-term
and long-term plans for each program/project. This information should be included in your institutions
Annual Report on Conservation and Science (ARCS) that is submitted to AZA.

10