Association of Zoos and Aquariums

NFWF Announces $1.3 Million in Grants to Support Coral Reefs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
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Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $1.3 million in grants to support efforts to improve the health and resilience of coral reefs in Florida, Hawai'i, Guam, and America Samoa.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $1.3 million in grants to support efforts to improve the health and resilience of coral reefs in Florida, Hawai'i, Guam, and America Samoa.
  • The grants will generate $1.3 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $2.6 million.
  • Since 2000, the Coral Reef Conservation Fund has made 408 awards to coral conservation projects with $24 million in federal and non-federal funds which leveraged more than $30 million in matching funds for a total conservation impact of $54 million.
  • A complete list of the 2023 grants made through the Coral Reef Conservation Fund is available here .

Postal Service Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Endangered Species Act with New Stamps

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 19, 2023
The Postal Service, AZA, Pinterest, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, United States Postal Service, Newsroom, Senate, Education, ESA, Post, SHOP, Survival, Great Plains Zoo, Hope, Endangered species, Photography, Sale, United, Organization, Post office, USPS, Beauty, Animal, Joel's Bohemia, Child, Endangered Species Act of 1973, National Geographic Explorer, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Mail, News, Hunting, WALL

WALL, S.D., May 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 50 years ago, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law.

Key Points: 
  • WALL, S.D., May 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 50 years ago, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law.
  • With the release of the new Endangered Species Forever stamps today, the Postal Service is celebrating not only the law, but also the people, organizations and agencies who have worked so hard to protect and save so much.
  • The 20 stamps showcase photographs of endangered animals found within the 50 states and American territories, as well as two North American species living near U.S. borders.
  • "We hope the Endangered Species stamps tell the story of hard work, humanity and hope, while raising awareness about endangered animals and wildlife, and the efforts to protect them."

IMMOTION'S FLIGHT OF THE MANTAS MAKES A SPLASH AT ITS AZA DEBUT

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
AZA, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, 3D, Multimedia, VR, Organization, Zoo, Empathy, WITH, SHARK, Video game, Hunting

Immotion's President Rod Findley was on hand to introduce FLIGHT OF THE MANTAS to the more than 1000 zoo and aquarium professionals attending the weeklong conference from across the country.

Key Points: 
  • Immotion's President Rod Findley was on hand to introduce FLIGHT OF THE MANTAS to the more than 1000 zoo and aquarium professionals attending the weeklong conference from across the country.
  • When Immotion approached Dr. Marshall about a collaboration, she jumped at the opportunity to work on Immotion's latest immersive experience.
  • But Immotion's FLIGHT OF THE MANTAS transports them, takes them underwater where they're right there, swimming next to a manta ray.
  • Immotion VR theaters are currently in over 35 locations worldwide and counting, offering the VR experiences GORILLA TREK, SHARK DIVE, SWIMMING WITH HUMPBACKS, and now FLIGHT OF THE MANTAS.

The Strand, Turks and Caicos Collaborates With Butterfly Pavilion to Support Pollinator Conservation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Invertebrate, Butterfly Pavilion, Development, Sale, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Pollination, Partnership, Industry, Butterfly, Program, City, CEO, AZA, Solution, EA, Ecosystem, Research, Association, Plant, Agriculture, Coffee, Tourism

DENVER, Sept. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Strand, Turks and Caicos, an exclusive beachfront residential resort community located on 2,230 feet of pristine shore frontage on Cooper Jack Bay, has announced a partnership with Butterfly Pavilion to ensure the development is preserving and creating habitats for pollinators. This also marks the first project in the Caribbean for the Westminster, Colo.-based organization, which is the first Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited stand-alone, non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world.

Key Points: 
  • "Butterfly Pavilion is already making a positive impact on invertebrate conservation in Colorado and around the globe, and we're excited to collaborate with the organization to further their reach to Turks and Caicos."
  • Following an assessment of the land this summer, Butterfly Pavilion provided recommendations to develop habitats for pollinators on the property.
  • "Collaborative conservation is incredibly important to our business model and working with The Strand allows us to create a more global footprint for pollinator services," said Patrick Tennyson, president and CEO at Butterfly Pavilion.
  • Closer to home, a new Butterfly Pavilion Baseline development will open in Broomfield, Colorado in 2025 setting the global standard for invertebrate science and conservation.

Tiger Trust Benefits from AZA Conference

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
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HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A donation will be made to the Tiger Trust as part of an event held by Safari Professionals during this year's Association of Zoos & Aquariums annual conference in Baltimore Maryland. Safari Professionals, a concierge provider of private and small group wildlife conservation safaris, took donations in exchange for entries into a raffle for a framed tiger photo donated by James Ward, Chief Adventure Officer for Safari Professionals, at this year's conference. They then matched the total donated amount to be awarded to the Tiger Trust.

Key Points: 
  • HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --A donation will be made to the Tiger Trust as part of an event held by Safari Professionals during this year's Association of Zoos & Aquariums annual conference in Baltimore Maryland.
  • They then matched the total donated amount to be awarded to the Tiger Trust.
  • In response to the alarming decline in India's Bengal tiger population, the Tiger Trust was founded in 1989.
  • "We're thrilled to be working with Amit as we design conservation safaris and raise resources and awareness for the Tiger Trust."

Canada's dangerous 'roadside' zoo season is upon us

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Risk, AZA, Government, Health, Association, Ownership, Tiger King, Research, World Animal Protection, PETS, Program, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Animal, Senate

"Few, if any, roadside zoos and other animal attractions meet any professional zoo safety standards," said Michle Hamers, World Animal Protection Campaign Manager.

Key Points: 
  • "Few, if any, roadside zoos and other animal attractions meet any professional zoo safety standards," said Michle Hamers, World Animal Protection Campaign Manager.
  • Animal welfare laws pertaining to captive wildlife in Canada are currently largely a patchwork of provincial and municipal bylaws and regulations.
  • This national legislation would also impact any zoo that is not AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited.
  • World Animal Protection Campaign Manager, Michle Hamers,is available to speak to the dangers of the roadside zoo season and World Animal Protection's efforts to push for tighter animal welfare regulations across all levels of government.

For the First Time, Rough Cactus Coral Cared for by SeaWorld at the Florida Coral Rescue Center (FCRC) Funded by Disney Conservation Fund and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida Produce Hundreds of Offspring Signaling a Hopeful Future for this Threa

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 21, 2022
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It is now also the proud home to hundreds of new rough cactus coral offspring.

Key Points: 
  • It is now also the proud home to hundreds of new rough cactus coral offspring.
  • These corals are expected to be part of a large-scale breeding (propagation) effort and produce offspring that will be used to restore Florida's Coral Reef.
  • FCRC's work with Florida corals is permitted by the State of Florida and is crucial to the SCTLD response plan.
  • Rough cactus corals are brooders, which means the embryos fertilize within the coral colony and are released as swimming larvae.

Butterfly Pavilion Releases Nine Years of Butterfly Monitoring Data Showing Monarch Butterfly Momentum Increasing in Colorado

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Monarch, Butterfly, City, Haze, Wind, Lepidopterology, Butterfly Pavilion, AZA, Ecosystem, CBMN, Season, Routt, Research, COVID-19, Walking, Program, Gilpin, Temperature, Health, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Association, Invertebrate, Time, Uranium, Animal, Hospital, Weld

WESTMINSTER, Colo., Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Butterfly Pavilion released the 9th Annual Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network (CBMN) Report on the state of Colorado native butterfly populations, revealing heightened sightings and reporting of Monarch Butterflies throughout Colorado.

Key Points: 
  • WESTMINSTER, Colo., Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Butterfly Pavilion released the 9th Annual Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network (CBMN) Report on the state of Colorado native butterfly populations, revealing heightened sightings and reporting of Monarch Butterflies throughout Colorado.
  • Since its inception in 2013, CBMN, the nation's fastest-growing butterfly monitoring program, has recorded 107,811 individual butterflies and logged 3,166 butterfly surveys, accounting for 3,795 hours of volunteer monitoring through 2021.
  • "While we've got a lot of great data, we still need more," said Shiran Hershcovich, Lepidopterist Manager, Butterfly Pavilion.
  • Beyond Colorado and the United States, Butterfly Pavilion conservationists are doing important invertebrate research projects around the world from Mongolia and Saudi Arabia to Peru and Indonesia.

Aggressor Adventures and Georgia Aquarium Partner to Offer Ocean Science Leadership Program

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
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Through a collaboration with Georgia Aquarium , Aggressor Adventures announces today its first ever Ocean Science Leadership Program.

Key Points: 
  • Through a collaboration with Georgia Aquarium , Aggressor Adventures announces today its first ever Ocean Science Leadership Program.
  • Once identified, the winning Ocean Science Leadership Program young professional will have the opportunity to experience a fully comped Aggressor Adventures liveaboard scuba diving trip in 2022.
  • The Ocean Science Leadership Program will offer a deserving young professional the opportunity of a lifetime to gain first-hand experience while traveling with Aggressor.
  • Our partnership with Aggressor Adventures through the Ocean Science Leadership Program is a real example of our mission in action, said Dr. Alistair Dove, vice president of science and education at Georgia Aquarium.

World Safaris Names James Ward to Chief Adventure Officer

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 20, 2021
Goal, Biodiversity, Animal, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Aquarium, Ward, COVID, Tourism, Galápagos Islands, Travel, Hunting

HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --James Ward, long-time Association of Zoos and Aquariums member, and experienced conservation-minded traveler, has joined World Safaris as Chief Adventure Officer.

Key Points: 
  • HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --James Ward, long-time Association of Zoos and Aquariums member, and experienced conservation-minded traveler, has joined World Safaris as Chief Adventure Officer.
  • Tom LaRock, Chief Exploration Officer and Founding Partner, World Safaris, says Ward's extensive experience working with conservation groups will enable him to develop unique experiences for safaris working directly with conservationists in situ.
  • World Safaris is preparing to support its partners in expanding their travel programs, especially with the forecasted increase in demand for wildlife travel.
  • For more information on World Safaris and its services for the zoo and aquarium community, please contact James Ward at [email protected] .