The AAZK Awards Committee exists to acknowledge and promote the accomplishments of exceptional AAZK members in the zoological/aquarist profession.
Mission
The AAZK Awards Committee strives to ensure the recognition of outstanding achievements of AAZK membership through development of a diverse slate of Board-approved awards; promotion of AAZK awards and nomination procedures via AAZK media outlets and the Animal Keepers’ Forum (AKF); and adherence to an impartial yet structured nomination and standardized scoring process.
Vision
The AAZK Awards Committee will recognize outstanding achievement in the zoological/aquarist profession.
Nominations
The AAZK Awards Committee accepts nominations from January 1st through May 1st, of each calendar year. Narratives (qualifications, nomination procedure, selection procedure) and current nomination forms for the AAZK awards are listed below.
The AAZK Lifetime Achievement Award
AAZK Lifetime Achievement Nomination Form
The AAZK Meritorious Achievement Award – Qualifications and Nomination Procedure
The AAZK Jean M. Hromadka Excellence in Animal Care Award
AAZK Jean M. Hromadka Excellence in Animal Care Nomination Form
The AAZK Lutz Ruhe Professional of the Year Award
AAZK Lutz Ruhe Professional of the Year Nomination Form
The AAZK Janet McCoy Excellence in Public Education Award
AAZK Janet McCoy Excellence in Public Education Nomination Form
The AAZK Lee Houts Advancement in Environmental Enrichment Award
AAZK Lee Houts Advancement in Environmental Enrichment Nomination Form
The AAZK Nico van Strien Leadership in Conservation Award
AAZK Nico van Strien Leadership in Conservation Nomination Form
The AAZK Excellence in Training Award
The AAZK Excellence in Training Nomination Form
AAZK Excellence in Habitat Innovation Award
AAZK Excellence in Habitat Innovation Award Nomination Form
AAZK Excellence in Research Award
AAZK Excellence in Research Award Nomination Form
The Barbara Manspeaker AAZK Chapter of the Year Award is initially determined by the information provided by the Chapters on the recharter form. To be eligible, the Chapter must be in good standing and submit the recharter form by the designated deadline. The top 5-10 candidates will be nominated by the Executive Director of AAZK to the Awards Committee who will contact the Chapter for further information.
The AAZK Barbara Manspeaker AAZK Chapter of the Year Award
The character of the AAZK awards includes either a trophy or certificate, letter of notification to the institution’s director and national recognition by professional journals. Such journals include: the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) Newsletters, and the Animal Keepers’ Forum (AAZK). Some categories may include monetary awards.
These awards are presented at the annual AAZK National Conference held in the fall each year. Again, the deadline for all award nominations is May 1st of each calendar year.
For more information regarding the Nico van Strien Leadership in Conservation Award see the Conservation Committee web page and for all other Awards contact: Awards@aazk.org
Board Oversight – Recognition Team
Erika Defer
Erika.Defer@aazk.org
Chair
Autumn Seymour
Awards@AAZK.org
Vice Chair
Nikki Maticic
View the 2023 Award Recipients
View the 2022 Award Recipients
View the 2021 Award Recipients
View the 2020 Award Recipients
View the 2019 Award Recipients
View the 2018 Awards Recipients
View the 2017 Awards Recipients
View the 2016 Awards Recipients
View the 2015 Award Recipients