Upcoming Professional Development

Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management - 2023
Date: October 22 — 27, 2023
Location: Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo
Description: Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management is a facility-based course that includes hands-on experience learning about the science of animal welfare and the application of skills and knowledge for an evidence-based animal welfare management program. This course helps participants builds the skills necessary to implement an evidence-based management program to ensure high levels of animal welfare.

Principles of Ambassador Animal Management - 2023
Date: December 4 — 9, 2023
Location: Nashville Zoo, Inc.
Description: This course exposes students to the range of opportunities for ambassador animal use and provides students with the knowledge to effectively develop and manage formalized programs utilizing animal ambassadors. By focusing on a range of methods, rather a single "recommended" approach, students will be better prepared to develop an approach that fits their institution's mission and philosophy.

Avian Management, Biology & Conservation - 2024
Date: February 12 — 17, 2024
Location: The National Conference Center
Description: AMBC is designed to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s avian managers. The class teaches critical thinking techniques that lead to informed decisions regarding all aspects of managing avian collections. Students will be given a variety of tools, methods and best practices to provide a foundation for understanding and meeting current challenges in avian management.

Conservation Learning: Leadership - 2024
Date: February 12 — 17, 2024
Location: The National Conference Center
Description: Conservation Learning: Leadership provides zoo and aquarium conservation learning leaders with the skills necessary to effectively lead their teams and continue to advance learning initiatives across our field.

Conservation Learning: Principles - 2024
Date: February 12 — 17, 2024
Location: The National Conference Center
Description: Conservation Learning: Principles provides zoo and aquarium professionals with a comprehensive overview of how to design, develop, implement and evaluate learning experiences. Course materials include the latest research and trends in conservation education.

Institutional Records Keeping - 2024
Date: February 12 — 17, 2024
Location: The National Conference Center
Description: Institutional Records Keeping offers students the theory and mechanics of animal records-keeping and identifies the important role accurate records play in successful animal management. This course offers students training that will integrate best practices for accurate data entry and standardization of data along with technical instruction in Species360 and ZIMS.

Population Management I - 2024
Date: February 12 — 17, 2024
Location: The National Conference Center
Description: PM I students will receive training in science-based aspects of population management as well as the methods to best understand and manage an AZA Animal Program using software required to maintain such databases. Students are expected to utilize the skills learned to successfully manage an accurate, documented studbook and provide expertise on the population/species in our care.

Population Management II - 2024
Date: February 12 — 17, 2024
Location: The National Conference Center
Description: Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recommendations teaches the integration of demography, genetics and husbandry to set population goals and make breeding recommendations for zoo and aquarium populations. This course produces competent managers for zoo or aquarium populations.

Principles of Elephant Management I - 2024
Date: February 12 — 17, 2024
Location: The National Conference Center
Description: Principles in Elephant Management I focuses on the foundation necessary for developing comprehensive and proactive elephant management programs. Students will take away skills for creating self-sustaining elephant management programs. AZA accreditation standards require that all elephant care professionals (keepers, managers, and directors) at institutions keeping elephants attend this course.