AAZK Award Nominations Are Now
Being Accepted for 2008

The AAZK Awards Committee is accepting nominations for the Jean M. Hromadka AAZK Excellence in Animal Care Award, The Lutz Ruhe Meritorious Achievement - AAZK Professional of the Year Award, The AAZK Chapter of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award (LA), the Lee Houts Enrichment Excellence (LHEE) Award , The Certificate of Merit for Zookeeper Education (CMZE), The Certificate of Excellence in Exhibit Renovation (CEER), and the Mazuri Animal Nutrition Award (MANA). Nomination criteria for these eight awards are listed below. These awards will be presented at the 2008 AAZK National Conference in Salt Lake City, UT. The deadline for all award nominations is 1 May 2008. Information concerning the qualifications, nomination procedure, selection procedure and an explanation of the awards may be obtained by contacting Janet McCoy, Chair, AAZK Awards Committee, Oregon Zoo, 4001 S.W. Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221. Send Jan an email.

The character of the AAZK awards includes either a plaque 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.

Lifetime Achievement (LA) Award

Lee Houts Excellence in Enrichment (LHEE) Award

Certificate of Merit for Zookeeper Education (CMZE)

Certificate of Excellence in Exhibit Design Renovation (CEER)

Mazuri Animal Nutrition Award (MANA)

Jean M. Hromadka AAZK Excellence in Zoo Keeping Award

The Lutz Ruhe Meritorious Achievement - AAZK Professional of the Year Award

The AAZK Chapter of the Year Award

 

Lifetime Achievement (LA) Award

The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) is the administering organization of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the AAZK Awards Committee. This award is to be given at the end (retirement) of a keeper’s career. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding commitment to professionalism as a zookeeper over a long period of time, and significant contributions to the community.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was established by the 1993 Awards Committee, Janet McCoy, Chair. Rachél Rogers proposed the award to the AAZK Board of Directors. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.

Qualifications:

1. The nominee must be a full-time keeper retiring from a career of zoo keeping and employed in any North American zoological institution, aquarium or related facility.
2. The nominee must have been employed at least 20 years on permanent status at a zoo, aquarium or related facility.
3. The nominee must be nominated by two of his or her peers who have also been employed at that same zoo, aquarium or related facility. Supporting nominations may be submitted by management personnel from the same institution.

Nomination Procedure:

1. List name, position, institution’s name, address, phone and Director, years of service in the field and the recommendation of peers or colleagues.
2. List and document outstanding achievements: exhibits, breeding, education, project participation, papers, etc. Verification of these facts must be signed by the zoo director, curator, or immediate supervisor of the individual being nominated.
3. Describe extra activities outside of zoo, aquarium or related facility: working with conservation groups, animal-related youth groups, rehabilitation wildlife officials, etc.
4. Paragraph on why the nominee fits the criteria.
5. Provide 3 - 5 references.
6. Deadline for nominations is MAY 1st of each year.

Selection Procedure:
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.

Lee Houts Excellence in Enrichment (LHEE) Award

The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) is the administering organization of the Lee Houts Excellence in Enrichment (LHEE) Award presented by the AAZK Awards Committee. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding keeper-initiated contributions to the art and science of environmental enrichment. It is hoped that recognition of outstanding efforts by keepers to improve animal care and welfare through environmental enrichment will provide incentive to keepers to continue to be leaders in this important endeavor.

The Lee Houts Excellence in Enrichment was established in 2001 by the AAZK Enrichment Committee. Lee Houts proposed the award to the AAZK Board of Directors. The award was renamed in Lee’s memory, and to honor her many contributions to the field of enrichment, following her death in 2005. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.

Qualifications:

1. The nominee may be an individual, group, project or program that has improved the well-being of an animal or group of animals through outstanding keeper-initiated enrichment techniques.
2. Nominees must have excelled in one or more of the following categories:
   -Innovative techniques developed, implemented and evaluated.
   -Creative fundraising efforts implemented which increased the availability of enrichment items fot staff to utilize.
   -Motivation of staff, volunteers and peers through development of an enrichment infrastructure that increased participation in in-house programs or disseminated information to the zoo community to advance the art and science of environmental enrichment.
3. The nominee must be nominated by a keeper.

Nomination Procedure:

1. List name of keeper(s) who initiated the enrichment, institution’s name, address, phone and Director.
2. List and document outstanding achievements in one or more of the categories listed under qualifications. Verification of these facts must be signed by the zoo director, curator, or immediate supervisor of the nominee.
3. The deadline for nominations is MAY 1st of each year.

Selection Procedure:
The Awards and Enrichment Committees will independently review each nominee.

 

Certificate of Merit for Zookeeper Education (CMZE)

The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) is the administering organization of the Certificate of Merit for Zookeeper Education (CMZE) presented by the AAZK Awards Committee. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals, institutions and organizations in the zoological community most actively promoting educational programs for zookeepers. Examples of such support are: reimbursements for formal education, keeper training courses and staff seminars.

The CMZE was founded by Jeff Roberts, 1976-1978 CHAIR, in 1978, to compliment the work of the AAZK Education Committee that had been formed at that time. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.

Qualifications:

1. Any staff individual, institution or organization from a North American zoo, aquarium or related facility is eligible.
2. The keeper training program must have been in existence for at least one (1) year.

Nomination Procedure:

1. If you feel that your institution, organization or a staff individual merits such an award, please submit a letter of nomination which mentions specifically the educational programs that are offered.
2. Claims made should be backed up with documentation for the committee to review.
3. List the institution or organization’s name, address, phone and Director.
4. The deadline for nominations is MAY 1st of each year.

Selection Procedure:
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.

Certificate of Excellence in Exhibit Design Renovation (CEER)

The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) is the administering organization of the Certificate of Excellence in Exhibit Renovation (CEER) presented by the AAZK Awards Committee. The purpose of the award is to recognize institutions or organizations in the zoological community for the design and renovation of existing animal facilities which involved active keeper participation in the process.

The CEER was established by Janet McCoy, 1990 CHAIR. Bill Whittaker proposed the award to the AAZK Board of Directors. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.

Qualifications:

1. Any North American zoological institution or organization is eligible.
2. The renovated exhibit must be in full operation for at least two (2) years.
3. The exhibit must be nominated by a keeper at that same institution or organization. Supporting nominations may be submitted by management personnel from the same institution.

Nomination Procedure:

1. List institution or organization’s name, address, phone and Director.
2. Document local awards or commendations for exhibit, drawings, 8 X 10 color photos - no slides (2 before and 8 after), and renovated exhibit type: single or multi-species, and size.
3. Document keeper participation in the design and why the existing facility was renovated.
4. Document interface with other zoo divisions; and maintenance of exhibit after completion.
5. The deadline for nominations is MAY 1st of each year.

NOTE: Materials will not be returned.

Selection Procedure:
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.

Nominee Evaluation:

The evaluation of each nomination is broken down into four categories based on the general guidelines outlined for the award. The four categories are: Keeper Involvement, Exhibit Functionality, Exhibit Management and Visitor Point of View/ Other Information. Items the committee is looking for are the following:

1. KEEPER INVOLVEMENT:
   1. degree of keeper involvement with conceptual development of exhibit
   2. degree of keeper involvement with facilitation of completion of exhibit, (fundraising, promotion, assist with construction)
   3. contribution to educational experience (graphics, conservation message)
   4. originality - is it something new and different, or has it been tried before?
2. EXHIBIT FUNCTIONALITY:
   1. versatility - indoor/outdoor, four seasons, protection from elements
   2. accommodates and encourages animal’s natural behavior – climbing structures, land area, height, water
   3. hard (gunite, concrete) vs. soft (grass, dirt) environments - as to animal needs
   4. sight lines valuable to animal as well as visitor - important to some animals (polar bear, chimps)
   5. physical and visual barriers for animal’s use, animal safety
   6. flexible entrance/exits (hoofstock - more than one entrance)
   7. ability to exhibit natural social grouping
   8. breeding success
3. EXHIBIT MANAGEMENT:
   1. how management of exhibit interfaces with other zoo divisions (grounds, maintenance - simple repair, paint)
   2. keeper serviceability, overall maintenance of exhibit and surroundings
   3. adequate drains and properly located
   4. quality and versatily of holding areas - ease of separating animals, moving, breeding, sick
   5. keeper sight lines - can you see animal when they come into holding or when shifting them between areas, keeper safety
   6. ease of providing time change items (browse, logs, feed, novel objects)
   7. environmental control (ease of seasonal adjustments - ventilation, heat)
4. VISITOR POINT OF VIEW/OTHER INFORMATION:
   1. educational experience (conservation message)
   2. immediate and sustained viewer interest
   3. sight lines - not see doors, drains, fencing - does it have esthetics?
   4. bonus point - local awards, commendation, “wow” factor
   5. include anything else pertinent to the renovated exhibit that you think is important

Mazuri Animal Nutrition Award (MANA)

The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) is the administering organization of the Mazuri® Animal Nutrition Award (MANA) presented by the AAZK Awards Committee. The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals in the zoological community who have been actively involved in projects/studies/research concerning zoo/aquarium nutrition. The award will carry a cash award of $500.00 funded by the Mazuri® Foods Division.

The MANA was established in 2005. Mazurii® proposed the award to the AAZK Board of Directors. Bruce Elkins, Curator of Waters at the Indianapolis Zoo, and Heidi Bissel, nutritionist at the Memphis Zoo, assisted in the development of the judging criteria for this award. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.

Qualifications:

1. The nominee must be a full-time keeper/aquarist in any North American zoological institution or aquarium who has been actively involved in projects/studies/research concerning zoo/aquarium nutrition.
2. The award candidate shall be a Professional member of AAZK.
3. Supporting nominations may be submitted by management personnel from the same institution.

Nomination Procedure:

1. List name, position, institution’s name, address, phone and Director.
2. List and document keeper/aquarist project initiation and design, research, project involvement, and usage of new nutritional information. Verification of these facts must be signed by the zoo director, curator, or immediate supervisor of the individual being nominated.
3. The deadline for nomination is MAY 1st of each year.

Selection Procedure:
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.

Jean M. Hromadka AAZK
Excellence in Animal Care Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize achievement and determination of an individual in the animal care field and in fostering professionalism. Animal care is a science combining zoology, biology, animal management, behavioral observation and daily record keeping on the species in their care. This is essential knowledge for maintaining a species effectively in captivity. The excellent animal care professional must excel in one or more of these areas.

The Jean M. Hromadka Excellence in Animal Care Award is named in memory of her outstanding contributions to the furtherance of AAZK through her work as President of the Association. This award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.

Qualifications:

1. The nominee must be a full-time animal care professional, employed in any North American zoological institution, aquarium or related facility.
2. The nominee must have been employed at least two (2) years on permanent status at the same zoo, aquarium or related facility
3. The nominee must be nominated by his or her peers who have also been employed at the same zoo, aquarium or related facility. Management personnel from the same institution may submit supporting nominations.

Nomination Procedure:

1. List name, position, institution's name, address, phone and director, years of service in the field and the recommendation of peers and colleagues.
2. List and document commitment to the profession, outstanding achievements, practical/outstanding application of knowledge and experience, and keeper skills, etc. The zoo director, curator, or immediate supervisor of the individual being nominated must sign verification of these facts.
3. List any extra activities outside of the zoo, aquarium or related facility work: working with conservation groups, youth, wildlife officials, etc.
4. Deadline for nominations is MAY 1st of each year.

Selection Procedure:
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.

The winner of the Jean M. Hromodka Excellence in Animal Care Award receives a cash award in the amount of $500.00, endowed by a generous donation through the Lutz Ruhe Family Educational Trust for the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. The award is endowed by the Luhe Trust primarily to aid winners in making travel and registration arrangements to attend the AAZK National Conference in the year of their award, to receive the award and be recognized in person at a gathering of their peers.

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The Lutz Ruhe Meritorious Achievement -
AAZK Professional of the Year Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize professional members of AAZK, in good standing in the association, for their day-to day professionalism within their facility. This includes participation in AAZK/AZA conservation projects, dedicating time to other facility-related projects or programs (BFR, conservation, wildlife education and individual breeding projects). Commitment and dedication to AAZK at a Committee or Chapter level enhances the nomination. Established in 1982 as a means of recognizing work done above and beyond the criteria of the Excellence in Animal Care Award, it is the only award presented by the Awards Committee for which you have to be a member of AAZK, Inc. in order to qualify. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.

Qualifications:

1. The nominee must be a full-time keeper, professional AAZK member employed in any North American zoo, aquarium, or related facility.
2. The nominee must have been employed at least three (3) years on a permanent basis at a zoo, aquarium, or related facility.
3. Peers or colleagues must nominate the nominee. Zoo, aquarium or related facility personnel may submit other supporting nominations. The nominators need not be from the same institution.

Nomination Procedure:

1. List name, position, institution's name, address, phone and director, years of service in the field and the recommendation of a peer or colleague.
2. List and document the outstanding achievements: AZA/AAZK Conservation project participation, exhibits, breeding, conservation, etc.
3. The deadline for nominations is MAY 1st of each year.

Selection Procedure:
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.

The winner of the Lutz Ruhe Meritorious Achievement Award - AAZK Professional of the Year Award, receives a cash award in the amount of $750.00, endowed by a generous donation through the Lutz Ruhe Family Educational Trust for the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. The cash award is endowed by the Luhe Trust primarily to aid winners in making travel and registration arrangements to attend the AAZK National Conference in the year of their award, to receive the award and be recognized in person at a gathering of their peers.

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Award Nominations should be submitted to:
Janet McCoy, Awards Chair
The Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon Road
Portland, OR 97221

Deadline for Nominations is 1 May 2008

 

 

The AAZK Chapter of the Year Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize AAZK Chapters in good standing with the Association for their dedication and commitment to both the Association and in conveying our conservation and education messages to the public. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.

Qualifications:

1. The Chapter must be a chartered member of the Association, in good standing.
2. The Chapter shall be able to demonstrate by the completion of their re-charter materials, a commitment to conservation and/or wildlife education activities by detailing their involvement and level of commitment to stated activities.
3. Chapters shall be represented by membership roles in which 75% of the Chapter's members are paid members in good standing of the National Association.

Nomination Procedure:

1. Each Chapter that completes and files the required Re-Charter Packet, by the deadline is eligible for this award.

Statement

The eligibility of each Chapter to qualify for this award is enhanced by the Chapter's support of the Association on the national level. Chapters that monetarily support the Association to the best of their ability and that consistently contribute to and support the programs of the Association such as Bowling for Rhinos, or who consistently support exotic animal or habitat conservation programs, both locally and globally shall receive preference.

Selection Procedure:
The AAZK Chapter of the Year shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Association and shall be presented during the annual conference of the Association.

 

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