<h4>Purpose</h4>
The Awards Committee recognizes excellence in the field of animal care through its awards. The Committee develops the awards' criteria, nominating procedure, qualifications for nominees, selection procedure and recognizes award's recipients each year at the National Conference.
<h4>Nominations</h4>
The AAZK Awards Committee is accepting nominations for the following categories. The deadline for all award nominations is <strong>May 1, of each calendar year</strong>. Nomination criteria for these nine awards are listed below:
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	<li><a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/lifetime-achievement-la-award/">Lifetime Achievement (LA) Award</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/lee-houts-excellence-in-enrichment-lhee-award/">Lee Houts Excellence in Enrichment (LHEE) Award</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/certificate-of-merit-for-zoo-keeper-education-cmze/">Certificate of Merit for Zoo Keeper Education (CMZE)</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/certificate-of-excellence-in-exhibit-design-renovation-ceer/">Certificate of Excellence in Exhibit Design Renovation (CEER)</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/mazuri-animal-nutrition-award-mana/">Mazuri Animal Nutrition Award (MANA)</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/jean-m-hromadka-aazk-excellence-in-animal-care-award/">Jean M. Hromadka AAZK Excellence in Animal Care Award</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/the-lutz-ruhe-meritorious-achievement-aazk-professional-of-the-year-award/">The Lutz Ruhe Meritorious Achievement - AAZK Professional of the Year Award</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/certificate-of-merit-in-conservation-cmc/">Certificate of Merit in Conservation Award</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/the-aazk-chapter-of-the-year-award/">The Barbara Manspeaker AAZK Chapter of the Year Award</a></li>
</ul>
These awards are presented at the annual AAZK National Conference held in the fall each year. The deadline for all award nominations is <strong>May 1, of each calendar year</strong>. Information concerning the qualifications, nomination procedure, selection procedure and an explanation of the awards may be obtained by contacting:
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<p align="center">Janet McCoy, Chair, AAZK Awards Committee</p>
<p align="center"><a href="mailto:janet.mccoy@aecetia.net/gws/aazk">janet.mccoy@aecetia.net/gws/aazk</a></p>
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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.
<h4>Awards Committee Members</h4>
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<p align="center"><strong>Chair</strong></p>
<img class="aligncenter" alt="Janet McCoy" src="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/janmccoy-291x300.jpg" width="150" />
<p align="center">Janet McCoy</p>

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<h4>Past Recipients</h4>
<a class="button" href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/committee/awards-committee/past-recipients/">View the 2013 Award Recipients</a>
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