The American Association of Zoo Keepers Excellence in Exhibit Renovation is presented by the AAZK Awards Committee. The purpose of the award is to recognize institutions or organizations in the zoological community for the renovation of existing animal facilities (exhibit or holding) which involved active keeper participation in the process.
Qualifications
- Any North American zoological institution or organization is eligible with documented animal keeper involvement in the concept, design, and renovation of an existing animal exhibit, animal enclosure or off exhibit holding to improve the welfare of the animal(s).
- The renovated exhibit must be in full operation for at least one (1) year.
- The exhibit renovation shall 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
List institution or organization’s name, address, phone and Director
Documentation required for Award evaluation:
- Prior to renovation: Exhibit/Holding drawings and/or digital photos two (2) no larger than 576px x 720px
- After renovation: Exhibit/Holding drawings or digital photos six (6) no larger than 576px x 720px
Narrative required for Award evaluation:
1. Species description and sex ratio
2. Exhibit or Animal Holding description prior to renovation (size, substrate, etc)
3. Goals and objectives of the exhibit/holding renovation
4. Keeper participation in the project from concept to completion, specifically detailing the existing exhibit/holding renovation to include:
- Degree of keeper involvement with design of the exhibit/holding renovation.
- Degree of direct keeper involvement with any fundraising associated with the exhibit/holding renovation.
- Amount and description of actual keeper participation in demolition and construction activities associated with the exhibit/holding renovation.
- Direct keeper contribution to educational experience (graphics, conservation message) of an exhibit/holding renovation.
- Summary of how the goals and objectives of the exhibit/holding renovation were achieved.
NOTE: Supportive documentation will not be returned.
Verification of the nomination requires a signature from the Director/CEO of the facility or their representative.
The deadline for nominations is MAY 1st of each year.
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:
Keeper Involvement
- degree of keeper involvement with conceptual development of exhibit
- degree of keeper involvement with facilitation of completion of exhibit, (fundraising, promotion, assist with construction)
- contribution to educational experience (graphics, conservation message
- originality – is it something new and different, or has it been tried before?
EXHIBIT FUNCTIONALITY
- versatility – indoor/outdoor, four seasons, protection from elements
- accommodates and encourages animal’s natural behavior – climbing structures, land area, height, water
- hard (gunite, concrete) vs. soft (grass, dirt) environments – as to animal needs
- sight lines valuable to animal as well as visitor – important to some animals (polar bear, chimps)
- physical and visual barriers for animal’s use, animal safety
- flexible entrance/exits (hoofstock – more than one entrance)
- ability to exhibit natural social grouping
- breeding success
EXHIBIT MANAGEMENT
- how management of exhibit interfaces with other zoo divisions (grounds, maintenance – simple repair, paint)
- keeper serviceability, overall maintenance of exhibit and surroundings
- adequate drains and properly located
- quality and versatily of holding areas – ease of separating animals, moving, breeding, sick
- keeper sight lines – can you see animal when they come into holding or when shifting them between areas, keeper safety
- ease of providing time change items (browse, logs, feed, novel objects)
- environmental control (ease of seasonal adjustments – ventilation, heat)
VISITOR POINT OF VIEW/OTHER INFORMATION
- educational experience (conservation message)
- immediate and sustained viewer interest
- sight lines – not see doors, drains, fencing – does it have esthetics?
- bonus point – local awards, commendation, “wow” factor
- include anything else pertinent to the renovated exhibit that you think is important
Nomination Form
Download the Excellence in Exhibit Renovation Nomination Form