The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) revealed the 2024 recipients of its Conservation Grants Fund (CGF), awarding nearly $165,000 to eight projects that advance saving some of the most at-risk species from extinction.
This year, 20 proposals were submitted, with requests exceeding $417,000. After careful consideration, the CGF Scientific Advisory Committee selected eight projects representing diverse taxonomic groups and geographic locations. These initiatives will be implemented by staff at AZA member facilities of various sizes and individual AZA members affiliated with non-profit organizations, government agencies and universities.
“Saving wildlife and wild places is a responsibility that we all share,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “The Conservation Grants Fund is not only a powerful tool for turning innovative ideas into conservation action, but it also unites experts from AZA-accredited facilities, conservation organizations, research institutions and local communities. This year’s projects demonstrate the amplified impact collaboration can have across the world.“
Each selected project aligns with the priorities of collaborative SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction® (SAFE) programs — AZA’s signature conservation program that focuses the community’s efforts and resources on species at risk. AZA remains committed to fostering collaborative conservation among its members to ensure SAFE species programs meet their objectives. In line with these efforts, the CGF Scientific Advisory Committee convened virtually in June to evaluate and make recommendations on the allocation of funds for this year’s CGF awards.
AZA congratulates the following 2024 Conservation Grants Fund recipients:
- A SAFE Landing for Midsouth Monarchs
- Steve Reichling, PhD, and Gail Karr, Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tenn.
- Fields Falcone, Overton Park Conservancy in Memphis, Tenn.
- AZA SAFE African Lion: Growing Partners and Measuring Impact
- Lily Maynard, PhD, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Christine Eckles, Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa.
- Chelsea Mihalick, Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, N.D.
- Establishing Sperm Cryopreservation Protocols to Support Genetic Management of the Whooping Crane (Grus americana)
- Nucharin Songsasen, DVM, PhD, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C.
- Kim Boardman, International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wis.
- Project PRAIRIE Conservation Institute
- Alexandra Burris, PhD, Mitchell Magdich, and Rowan Schuelke, Toledo Zoo and Aquarium in Toledo, Ohio.
- Protecting the Vultures of Northern Tanzania
- Corinne Kendall, PhD, Vainess Laizer, and Claire Bracebridge, PhD, North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, N.C.
- Saving Critical Overwintering Habitat for the Migratory Monarch Butterfly in Central Mexico
- Shiran Hershcovich and Rich Reading, PhD, Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Colo.
- Sunflower Sea Star eDNA Development
- Ashley Kidd, Sunflower Star Laboratory in Monterey Bay, Calif.
- Zachary Gold, PhD, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle, Wash.
- Michael Dawson, PhD, University of California, Merced in Merced, Calif.
- The Use of Automated Penguin Monitoring Systems as a Tool to Monitor Resource Competition and Other At-sea Threats around African Penguin Breeding Colonies in South Africa
- Eleanor Weideman and Alistair McInnes, PhD, BirdLife South Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Since its inception, the CGF has been a cornerstone of AZA’s efforts to support cooperative conservation initiatives alongside our members and partners. From 1991 to 2023, the CGF has distributed more than $9 million to 483 projects across the globe.