What a whirlwind week of informative, thoughtful, and empowering #AZA2021 sessions! As promised, here’s Part Two of our “quick takes!” If you didn’t have a chance to read Part One, click here to view our first 30 Quick Takes.
Relevancy and Future of Zoos and Aquariums:
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“We have the power to change lives”—Dr. Brian Davis, incoming Chair AZA Board
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We’ve had some tough times, but “build back better”
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Human health and the planet’s health are interconnected
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For many AZA institutions, the support of partners and the importance of their mission got them through the pandemic—but will we stay “mission forward?”
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ESG funds (environmental, social, governance) are the “Wild West” right now but important to consider for our organizations’ investment strategy to demonstrate our commitment to socially and environmentally responsible policies
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We saw many innovative virtual approaches to programming, marketing, and operations—can we maintain/grow this spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship?
Conservation:
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The importance of planning during a crisis—Los Angeles Zoo and conservation is one example, so we are moving ahead
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Great examples of local (e.g., Indian River Lagoon and Brevard Zoo) and international conservation moving on despite challenges
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Great examples from Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust of using alternative funding sources to support ReWilding including tree replanting
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The importance of supporting local communities in conservation
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Inspiring talk by Dr. Eizabeth Mrema, Chair of IUCN’s Convention Biological Diversity, on what zoos and aquariums can continue to do for field conservation:
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Zoos and aquariums are vital partners in the critical loss of biodiversity. “We can help bend the curve of biodiversity loss—both in situ and ex situ.”
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Zoos and aquariums are key partners in exposing the urban public to the importance of biodiversity, “where those alienated from biodiversity can meet the wonders of the biodiversity of life”
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The importance of animal welfare that underlies everything that we do
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Exciting new exhibits:
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Galapagos at Houston Zoo
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Kansas City Zoo Aquarium
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Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park
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Sacramento Zoo moving to a new site
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Zoos and aquariums becoming a leader for social change
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Widespread agreement on the Tuesday session panel that featured Jane Goodall, Carl Safina, and many others:
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The zoo and aquarium community is open to new ideas, and yes, even criticism
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This panel’s idea of what constitutes a good zoo and aquarium was the same as the AZA community’s idea
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Chris Dold respectfully and professionally disagreed with the concept of not keeping cetaceans in captivity
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Education:
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“No, not ‘anyone can teach’—it’s a profession
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The need to re-evaluate the place of learning/education in our organizations—it’s critical to our future
If you missed these (or additional) sessions, visit the Ballroom (the same location where you joined live sessions) to view them, available to registered #AZA2021 attendees through the end of 2021.
