Upcoming Professional Development

Avian Management, Biology & Conservation - 2022
Date: February 14 — 19, 2022
Location: Oglebay Resort & 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 Education: Effective Program Design - 2022
Date: February 14 — 19, 2022
Location: Oglebay Resort & Conference Center
Description: Conservation Education: Effective Program Design provides zoo and aquarium educators with a comprehensive overview of how to design, develop, implement and evaluate education programs and exhibit interpretive elements. Course materials include the latest research and trends in informal science education.

Institutional Records Keeping - 2022
Date: February 14 — 19, 2022
Location: Oglebay Resort & 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.

Managing for Success: Career Development - 2022
Date: February 14 — 19, 2022
Location: Oglebay Resort & Conference Center
Description: Managing for Success: Career Development examines management disciplines with emphasis on their application to zoos and aquariums. Participants will receive practical tools and skills to take back to their institutions to apply at their level, including an increased network of resources and heightened leadership skills.

Managing for Success: Organizational Development - 2022
Date: February 14 — 19, 2022
Location: Oglebay Resort & Conference Center
Description: Managing for Success: Organizational Development prepares new leaders to meet the specific challenges of a leadership role within a zoo or aquarium and the duality of meeting both mission and bottom line. The course addresses ethical, animal welfare and collection issues as well as the planning techniques and strategies required to lead these unique organizations successfully.

Population Management I - 2022
Date: February 14 — 19, 2022
Location: Oglebay Resort & 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.

Principles of Elephant Management I - 2022
Date: February 14 — 19, 2022
Location: Oglebay Resort & 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.