Committees
The ACE for Wildlife Network™ prides itself in being participant driven. One of the ways that our Members & Affiliates guide the Network is through our committees. ACE for Wildlife Network committees work on improving communication across the Network, Network governance, membership, and more! Scroll down to learn more about what our committees are currently working on.
Learning Questions
The work of our committees – and Network – is focused around the two learning questions revised by the Strategic Learning Committee in 2024 based on Network-wide input.
How does implementing empathy practices into a zoo or aquarium advance organizational missions and commitments to animal wellbeing?
What does culturally relevant conservation action look like?
Our Committees
Meet the groups behind the ACE for Wildlife Network who are driving our mission forward. Each individual brings their unique experience and knowledge to a group with a shared commitment to wildlife conservation.
Communications Committee
The mission of the Communications Committee is to nurture connection and collaboration to effectively facilitate communication within and about the Network in an accessible and inclusive way.
Committee Goals
- Nuture connection and collaboration with all Network Members and Affiliates
- Cultivate an inclusive learning culture with accessible information and inclusive language use
- Facilitate the flow of information to external audiences
Current & Upcoming tasks
- Edit the discussion board to increase usability, collaborating with the Membership Committee where appropriate
- Create toolkit or resource around the use of empathy practices in social media
- Collaborate with the Advancing Empathy team at Woodland Park Zoo on upcoming Empathy Matters newsletters
Conservation Action Committee
This committee was created to develop resources for the “Advancing Conservation” part of our name. The mission of the Conservation Action Committee is to share a common vision to promote Partner conservation missions and motivate visitors to take conservation action.
Committee Goals
- Develop and share resources on promising practices for conservation calls to action both in general and with effective empathy practices
- Coordinate joint campaigns to maximize our impact
- Identify ways we can measure the effectiveness of our conservation calls to action
Current & Upcoming tasks
- Creating a joint initiative based on discouraging exotic pet ownership and promoting responsible pet care
- Defining caring vs. conservation actions with respect to Network actitivies
Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Committee
The mission of the DEAI Committee is to responsibly promote an inclusive environment within the Network and facilitate conversations that help Network Members and Affiliates feel supported to incorporate DEAI initiatives into their organizations.
Committee Goals
- Understand the spectrum of DEAI related work and needs across the ACE for Wildlife Network
- Develop useful resources and tools for Members and Affiliates to use at their organizations
- Facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise to support Members and Affiliates in their DEAI journeys
Committee Tasks
- Strengthening the Network's DEAI foundation and identifying places for growth
- Creating shared Network definitions for DEAI terminology
- Finding ways for the Network to collaborate and share knowledge to support DEAI journeys
- Work with the Communications Committee to draft a new Network Land Acknowledgement
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is responsible for developing the guidelines and practices of ACE for Wildlife Network membership levels and collaborating with the other committees to nurture connection between and within membership levels as the Network grows.
Committee Goals
- Create a robust onboarding process for new ACE for Wildlife Network Affiliates, Members, and Partner Organizations
- Monitor strategic recruitment and growth of the ACE for Wildlife Network
- Make leadership opportunities in the Network clearer and more welcoming
Current & Upcoming tasks
- Reviewing new Affiliate and Network Partner applications
- Monitoring Network expansion and work with relevant committees as needed to support the process
- Creating a plan for Network onboarding sessions and follow up support structures
Steering Committee
Committee Goals
- Prioritizing goals, establishing a timeline, and providing implementation support
- Deciding what committees and groups need to be in place to achieve our goals and make sure the right expertise is in the discussion
Current & Upcoming tasks
- Reassessing committee recruitment and term limits
- Supporting the Membership Committee as needed with Network expansion in 2024
- Creating a sustainable long term plan for the Network
Strategic Learning Committee
The Strategic Learning Committee, driven by insights from our Network, shapes our collective learning journey. Their mission is to prioritize learning within the ACE for Wildlife Network, fostering collaborative skill-building and knowledge sharing among our Members & Affiliates.
Committee Goals
- Creating a learning environment which advocates for and values the diversity of participants in the Network
- Leading the implementation of the ACE for Wildlife Network strategic learning framework
- Empowering reflection on the collective learning of the Network
Current & Upcoming tasks
- Creating and taking action around a new learning question
- Implementing feedback to re-align committee priorities
- Reviewing and compiling resources for the 2024 Empathy Training Toolkit
Committee Updates
Click the buttons below to see monthly updates from our standing committees.
Network bylaws
Our Network bylaws are the primary governing document for the Network. They are updated every year by the Steering Committee and lay the foundation for Network and committee structure.
Get involved
If you’re interested in being a part of a committee, or would like to propose a new one, click below to email us.
Suggestions?
Do you have ideas that you would like to see the committees work on? Submit them using the Google Form below.