Accreditation
The Gold Standard of Accreditation by AZA
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) has granted accreditation to Zoo Miami by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission.
“Zoo Miami is among the outstanding aquariums and zoos that have met or exceeded our rigorous accreditation standards,” said AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe. “The people who live in South Florida can be assured ZOO MIAMI is providing the highest-quality animal care and welfare and is contributing to initiatives that save animals from extinction.”
To be accredited, Zoo Miami underwent a thorough review to make certain it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards in categories which include animal care and welfare, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association.
The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the facility’s operation, including animal care and welfare; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; visitor services; and more. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal hearing of AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission, after which accreditation is granted, tabled, or denied. Any facility that is denied may reapply one year after the Commission’s decision is made.
Zoo Miami has been an accredited AZA member since 1984.
“We are extremely proud of our AZA accreditation. It is an affirmation that Zoo Miami is achieving the highest standards in animal care and welfare while working to conserve our world’s wild animals and wild places and engaging the community through meaningful guest experiences. Accreditation is not easy to achieve, and it is a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers and partners.” said Carol Kruse, Zoo Director.
About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and 11 other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.
Other Accreditations
Florida Attractions Association (FAA)
proud member of:
The History of the FAA
More than seventy years ago, several tourist attraction pioneers committed themselves to excellence in their industry and a premier experience for their guests. These Florida landmarks – which include Cypress Gardens, Monkey Jungle, Parrot Jungle, and Silver Springs – formally united in 1949 as a not-for-profit corporation in order to guarantee quality, fair pricing, and ethical operational practices. The Florida Attractions Association was born.
Now, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our member attractions, Florida herself has become the hallmark for tourism across the nation and the globe. Combined with the allure of Florida’s bountiful beaches and endless sunshine, our attractions offer an experience like no other in the world.
Our ranks have grown exponentially since our humble beginnings. From those few trailblazers, a thriving community of over 120 attractions has firmly rooted itself in the hearts of travelers everywhere. In addition to major theme parks, the Association’s attraction members include historical landmarks, sensational museums and exhibits, zoos and aquariums teeming with wildlife, majestic gardens, sightseeing tours and cruises, outdoor adventures, family entertainment centers, theaters, innovators in agritourism and ecotourism, and much more.
In recent years, the Association has also added a wide range of industry suppliers to its ranks. These member business provide needed products and services to our attractions, and share their commitment to excellence and the guest experience.
Membership in the Florida Attraction Association is very prestigious. Our members are lauded for being “Florida’s finest family attractions,” adhering to only the highest standards. Members commit to a Code of Practices that guarantees their guests the finest levels of cleanliness, courtesy, hospitality, and integrity.
Each attraction member does its own marketing and promotion, but is also committed to success for its peers. Industry leaders gather at networking and education events throughout the year to share winning strategies and help each other grow. This extraordinary commitment to our industry and to each other has helped us weather many challenges and storms. The Association acts as a strong advocate on behalf of its members before local and state government, and partners with national and international groups on larger issues. We also provide a resource for our members when emergencies strike, such as natural and environmental disasters. This exceptional brand of “Florida friendliness” is one of the reasons many of our members have supported the Association for many years, some since its inception.
Florida Tourism
Tourism is the largest industry in Florida. With over 1 million employees and over $4 billion in sales tax revenue (23% of all state tax revenues), tourism is a powerful economic driver and promises to grow even stronger in the coming years.
Thanks to the efforts of VISIT FLORIDA, the Sunshine State’s public/private marketing partnership, nearly 92 million travelers (including 20 million in-state visitors) crossed our borders in 2012, pumping $25 billion into the economy. Internationally, Florida ranks as a top destination, with 1 of 5 U.S. travelers coming to Florida. Our attractions, hotels, and restaurants have welcomed guests from 184 countries.
In the ever-growing realm of marketing and social media, tourism is also capturing the attention and imagination of the world. With billions of social media impressions and explosive growth in Web traffic, Florida tourism is sending a powerful message. This message is translating directly into sales: every advertising dollar spent turns into $258 in tourism spending and $15 in new sales taxes.
Plus, every 85 visitors creates a tourism job in Florida; the industry supports 14.3% of all working Floridians. Our attractions are a driving component of this success and growth, employing over 342,000 people and generating a total economic impact of $45 billion.
American Public Gardens Association
proud member of:
The American Public Gardens Association is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture. We advance the field by encouraging best practices, offering educational and networking opportunities, and advocating on behalf of our members, our programs and public gardens worldwide. We work together with our members and others to strengthen and shape public horticulture, providing the tools and support industry professionals need to better serve the public while preserving and celebrating plants creatively and sustainably.
Since 1940, we have been committed to increasing cooperation and awareness among gardens. Our members include more than 10,000 individuals at over 600 institutions, in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and 20 countries. Our members include, but are not limited to, botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, museums, colleges and universities, display gardens, and research facilities.
ArbNet Accretited Arobretum Level II
Accredited By:
We are thrilled to announce that Zoo Miami has been awarded Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. Zoo Miami is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.