Grant: Collaborative Research and Training Experience

Global biodiversity is declining precipitously, and zoos and aquariums are emerging as important players in mitigating this biodiversity loss. As the role of these organizations has expanded, so has the need for conservation professionals with the analytical and practical skills to engage in research related to conservation in captivity and the wild. ReNewZoo is a unique program that brings together zoos/aquariums, and academic conservation biologists to train conservation professionals for zoos/aquariums and their conservation partners. Leveraging the resources of five major research-intensive zoos/aquariums in Canada, as well as the Canadian (CAZA) and American (AZA) zoo/aquarium organizations, ReNewZoo will offer a training program that consists of conservation-relevant research, a supportive mentoring environment, and an innovative professional development program that will include a capstone on-line course (ReNewZoo 101), internships at research intensive zoos/aquariums, and training workshops at the ReNewZoo annual meeting. A formal certificate in "Zoo Conservation" will be provided students on completion of the program's components. ReNewZoo will also integrate its activities with CAZA, including holding the annual ReNewZoo meeting as a satellite to the annual CAZA meeting. This program will prepare graduates to lead zoos/aquariums into the 21st century as research and conservation become a primary goal in their strategic mandates.