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 zoo keeper 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.
<h3>Qualifications</h3>
<ol>
	<li>The <strong>nominee</strong> 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.</li>
	<li>The nominee must have been employed at least 20 years on permanent status at a zoo, aquarium or related facility.</li>
	<li>The nominee <strong>must</strong> be nominated by <strong>two</strong> 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.</li>
</ol>
<h3>Nomination Procedure</h3>
<ol>
	<li>List name, position, institution’s  name, address, phone and Director, years of  service in the field and the recommendation of peers or colleagues.</li>
	<li>List and <strong>document</strong> outstanding achievements: exhibits, breeding, education, project participation, papers, etc. <strong>Verification</strong> of these facts must be signed by the zoo director, curator, or immediate supervisor of the individual being nominated.</li>
	<li>Describe extra activities outside of zoo, aquarium or related facility: working with conservation groups, animal-related youth groups, rehabilitation wildlife officials, etc.</li>
	<li>Paragraph on why the nominee fits the criteria.</li>
	<li>Provide 3 - 5 references.</li>
	<li>Deadline for nominations is <strong>MAY 1st</strong> of each year.</li>
</ol>
<h3>Selection Procedure:</h3>
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.

<a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/laa.doc" target="_blank">Download nomination form in MS Word format</a>

<a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/laa.pdf" target="_blank">Download nomination form in Adobe pdf format</a>