Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Resource Center: Diversity

The AZA Diversity Committee

The Diversity Special Committee was created to foster greater understanding of diversity issues among AZA members. The committee works with AZA members to create a clearer understanding of the true definition of diversity, to provide basic information about the benefits of diversity, and to identify resources that will aid member institutions in developing positive approaches to human diversity issues. Read AZA's Diversity Statement.

The committee welcomes your comments, questions, and recommendations. Here's the list of Diversity Committee members.

Diversity Reports

The AZA Diversity Committee has produced three reports on diversity in the zoo and aquarium industry (all in PDF):

The documents focus on six areas that are important in understanding the complexities of diversity:

History of diversity
Economic impact
Changing demographics
Diversity as a community/customer base
Recruitment strategies for a diverse work force
Strategies for achieving internal and external diversity

Diversity Listserv

AZA sponsors a diversity listserv. The listserv is a terrific opportunity for members to post questions, offer suggestions, and share experiences on implementing diversity at their individual institutions. For information on joining, contact .

What's Happening in AZA-Accredited Zoos and Aquariums?

During the last decade, many AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums have implemented diversity programs for staff and visitors. Here are some program descriptions.

AZA Diversity Award

Through its Excellence in Diversity Award, AZA recognizes significant achievement in work-force and audience diversity by an Institution or Related Organization member. [more about the Diversity Award]

Resources

Diversity resources include books, video- and audio-tapes, and training tools. Here's a bibliography of some of the best.