Honors and Awards

Here are the 2008 Honors and Award winners (in PDF), announced at the Annual Conference in Milwaukee.

Edward H. Bean Award

The Edward H. Bean Award acclaims the most significant birth or hatching of a species and/or subspecies or a significant propagation or management program contributing to the reproductive success of one or more species and/or subspecies.

2008 Bean Top Awards

Chicago Zoological Society
Goeldi's Monkey
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Carmine Bee-eater

Excellence in Diversity Award

Through its Excellence in Diversity Award, AZA recognizes significant achievement in work force and audience diversity by an AZA member institution. Applicants may submit an entry for any diversity program designed to increase diversity through education, training, community service, recruitment/retention, interpretative exhibition, public relations, and/or marketing.

2008 Diversity Top Award

Oregon Zoo
Zoo Animal Presenters (ZAP) Urban Nature Overnights (UNO)

Education Award

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.

2008 Top Education Award

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Continuing the Legacy of Conservation Education in African Sanctuaries

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.

2008 Top Exhibit Award

National Aquarium in Baltimore
Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes

International Conservation Award

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums names conservation as its highest priority, and recognizes exceptional efforts by AZA Institution, Related Facility, International Facility, or Conservation Partner members toward habitat preservation, species restoration, and support of biodiversity in the wild through the International Conservation Award.

2008 Top International Conservation Award

New England Aquarium
Phoenix Islands Protected Area

Excellence in Marketing Award

Through this new award, 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.

2008 Marketing Top Award (under $175,000 budget)

Toronto Zoo
Bugzibitz II

2008 Marketing Top Award (over $175,000 budget)

Tennessee Aquarium
Penguins' Rock
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
Polar Bears in High Definition

North American Conservation Award

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums names conservation as its highest priority, and recognizes exceptional efforts by AZA Institution, Related Facility or Conservation Partner members toward regional habitat preservation, species restoration, and support of biodiversity in the wild through its North American Conservation Award.

2008 Top North American Conservation Award

Albuquerque Bio Park
Tingley Beach Restoration Project

R. Marlin Perkins Award
for Professional Excellence

Deadline: December 15 annually

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.

Nominations are accepted year-round and are due no later than December 15th of the year preceding the year in which the Award is to be conferred.

The 2008 honoree is Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Honorary Membership Award

Deadline: July 1 annually

AZA has created a special membership category to recognize both members and non-members who have made significant contributions to the profession. Candidates should not be working in the zoo or aquarium profession and are elected by the Board of Directors.

All nomination materials and letters of sponsorship must be received by the AZA by July 1 of each year in order to be reviewed.

Tim O'Sullivan Award
for Professional Development

Deadline: April 30 annually

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 Board of Regents.

About the Tim O'Sullivan Award
2007 Recipient: John Hargleroad, Operations Director, Oglebay Park
2005 Recipient: Earl Wells, Retired Director, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo (awarded posthumously)
2004 Recipient: Bruce Carr, PhD, AZA Director of Conservation Education

Wendy Fisher Award
for Professional Excellence

Deadline: June 1 annually

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.

Wendy Fisher Award nomination form and guidelines
Joyce Basel, Unlimited Fun Safari