<h3>Committees</h3>
Dedicated to professional animal care, the vision of AAZK is to provide resources for zookeepers and animal care professionals. AAZK seeks to cultivate quality animal care by making available the latest techniques and resources in animal husbandry and management and by recognizing the efforts of groups and individuals for excellence in advancing the animal keeping profession and promoting conservation efforts. Our committees are designed to further this vision. If interested in a specific committee and its function please log in to the Members Only Page and open the Committees and Program tab.
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<h4><i class="left icon-trophy"></i> Awards Committee</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.
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<h4><i class="left icon-lamp"></i> Behavioral Husbandry Committee</h4>
The Behavioral Husbandry Committee exists to serve our AAZK members by providing access to up to date resources relevant to Behavioral Husbandry topics including: training, enrichment and animal welfare. The committee strives to encourage, educate, share knowledge and share techniques typified in zoo and aquarium settings.
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<h4><i class="left icon-mic"></i> Communication Committee</h4>
The Communication Committee serves the AAZK members by facilitating communication through Social Media resources, providing real-time information to the membership. The committee also provides internal communication strategies to assist the Board of Directors, membership and Chapters in facilitating communication.
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<h4><i class="left icon-heart"></i> Conservation Committee</h4>
The Conservation Committees Mission is to connect AAZK members with opportunities to engage in habitat conservation and in situ wildlife initiatives and to provide educational resources about environmentally responsible practices.

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<h4><i class="left icon-doc-text-inv"></i> Ethics Committee</h4>
This committee shall investigate any formal written complaints of violation of the Code of Professional Ethics, Bylaws, or Resolutions as are brought to its attention by the Board of Directors or the membership and make recommendations for action to the Board of Directors. The committee shall consist of four Professional members in addition to and chaired by the Immediate Past President of the Association. Appointments to the Committee shall occur every two years and are made by the Board of Directors.
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<h4><i class="left icon-chart-bar"></i> Grants Committee</h4>
The purpose of the AAZK Research Grants Committee is to encourage and support research conducted by members in zoological parks and aquariums. Through collaboration with scientists in other institutions, it is hoped that members will achieve continuing professional growth, and thereby increase the benefits to the zoological community.
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<h4><i class="left icon-graduation-cap"></i> Professional Development Committee</h4>
AAZK’s Professional Development Committee’s mission is to provide a resource for National AAZK members to explore continuing education opportunities. Our goal is concentrate on continuing education through online training courses and conference workshops. Online courses can be found at the <a href="http://sdzglobalacademy.org/courses.html" target="_blank">San Diego Zoo Global Academy courses</a>. Over 200 self-directed courses are offered. Conferences are held annually and delegates are provided with paper presentations, posters sessions, and a variety of workshops to meet everyone’s needs. Workshops can be lecture based or hands on.

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<h3>Programs</h3>
Dedicated to professional animal care, the vision of AAZK is to provide resources through internal, national and international Programs. Our Programs are developed to further this vision. To learn about AAZK Programs please click on one of the links below.
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<h4><i class="left icon-users"></i> Bylaws Program</h4>
The Program Manager annually reviews the Bylaws of the Association and shall recommend changes, if any, to the Board of Directors. When developing new Bylaws, the Program expands to a Member Committee consisting of five members, two of which shall be member of the Board of Directors. (If you would like a copy of the Association’s Bylaws please <a href="http://www.aecetia.net/gws/aazk/contact/">contact</a> the Administrative Office.)
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<h4><i class="left icon-globe"></i> International Congress of Zoo Keepers Program</h4>
The International Congress of Zookeepers (ICZ) provides a variety of assistance to our international colleagues, promotes the goals and objectives of AAZK, Inc. on an international level, increases awareness of AAZK and enhances communication among the world’s zoo professionals. Functions of the ICZ include hosting a conference every three years, keeper workshops, and helping keepers in developing countries receive access to resources and information.
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<h4><i class="left icon-star"></i> National Zoo Keeper Week Program</h4>
As the need to protect and preserve our wildlife and vanishing habitats has increased, our role as educators and wildlife ambassadors has become essential. During the third week of July each year, celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week; both you and your animals deserve the recognition.
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<h4><i class="left icon-leaf"></i> Trees for You and Me Program</h4>
Trees for You &amp; Me is a friendly competition launched by former PBI Field Ambassadors as a financial campaign to fund tree-planting. Every year, the effort has a local focus. Gathering the funds for a large tree planting with our partner, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Forestry Division, AAZK believes drawing attention to the benefits of urban tree-planting and the associated educational programming and awareness such events create.

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