The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) is the administering organization of the Certificate of Merit in Conservation (CMC) presented by the AAZK Awards Committee.  The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding keeper-initiated contributions to conservation of wildlife and their habitats.  It is hoped that recognition of outstanding efforts by keepers to contribute to conservation will provide incentive to keepers to continue to be leaders in this important endeavor.
The Certificate of Merit in Conservation Award was established in 2010 by the Conservation Committee, Amanda Kamradt, Chair.  The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.
<strong>Qualifications</strong>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">1.    The nominee <strong>must</strong> be a full-time animal care professional individual or team, employed in any North American zoological institution, aquarium or related facility.
2.    The nominee <strong>must</strong> be nominated by an AAZK member.  You may nominate yourself.

<strong>Nomination Procedure</strong>
1.    List name(s), of the keeper(s) who initiated the conservation project, the institution’s name, address, phone and director.
2.    List and document outstanding keeper-initiated contributions to a conservation project.  Verification of these facts must be signed by the zoo director, curator, or immediate supervisor of the nominee.
3.    Deadline for nominations is MAY 1st of each year.
Selection Procedure
The Awards and Conservation Committees will independently review each nominee.