Houston Zoo Wins Unprecedented Five Top Honors at Annual Zoos Conference

October 17, 2024

The Houston Zoo has achieved an extraordinary feat, securing an unprecedented five Top Honors awards at the 2024 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Annual Conference held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada Sept. 14-19, 2024. This remarkable accomplishment underscores the Zoo’s commitment to conservation, education, sustainability, and inclusion, setting a new standard for zoological institutions worldwide.

“These awards reflect the dedication, creativity, and hard work of each and every member of our team,” said Lee Ehmke, President and CEO of the Houston Zoo. “We are honored to be recognized by our peers in the zoological community and proud to lead the way in innovative approaches to wildlife conservation and public engagement.”

The Houston Zoo’s award-winning initiatives span a wide range of categories:

Exhibit Design – Galápagos Islands: The Zoo’s groundbreaking Galápagos Islands exhibit, the first major conservation-focused exhibit of its kind in the world, received Top Honors in the exhibit category. This immersive 2.5-acre experience highlights the unique ecosystem of the Galápagos and emphasizes the urgent need for its conservation. The exhibit features 15 species across 4 unique habitats, including endangered Galápagos tortoises and vulnerable Humbolt penguins.
Earned Media Campaign – Galápagos Islands: Despite pandemic-related delays, the Zoo’s public relations team maintained media interest and excitement about the Galápagos Islands exhibit through skillful use of earned media, ensuring the conservation message reached a wide audience. The campaign successfully kept the public engaged and informed about the exhibit’s progress and conservation importance.
Sustainability Award: Recognizing the Zoo’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, this award honors initiatives such as transitioning to 100% LED lighting and expanding the cell phone recycling program. The Zoo has recycled over 100,000 cell phones since 2008, protecting gorilla habitats in Africa. Additionally, the Zoo’s sustainability efforts have resulted in a 20% reduction in energy consumption since 2014.
Education Programs Award: The Zoo’s Teen Program’s Wildlife-Saving Campaigns were recognized as a model for engaging young conservationists. These campaigns have empowered teens to protect migratory birds and native snakes while developing essential leadership skills in conservation. The program has significantly increased teen engagement with conservation initiatives.
Diversity & Inclusion Award: Over the past three years, the Zoo has made significant strides in creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for staff, guests, and the community. From DEIA training to more inclusive hiring practices, this award acknowledges the Zoo’s commitment to ensuring that the Houston Zoo is a place for everyone.

Dan Ashe, President and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, commended the Houston Zoo, stating, “These awards highlight the most impactful work being done across our membership. The Houston Zoo has gone above and beyond the high expectations set by AZA’s accreditation standards and strengthens the impact of our entire community.”

The AZA’s Honors and Awards Committee praised the Houston Zoo’s Galápagos Islands exhibit, noting, “This new exhibit exemplifies the highest standards across multiple disciplines for our profession.” The committee also lauded the Zoo’s teen programs, describing them as “a great example of how to inspire teens to be conservation change agents.”

As the Houston Zoo continues to lead in conservation efforts and public education, these awards serve as a testament to its role as a premier zoological institution and a driving force in wildlife protection and environmental stewardship.