How to Join
Joining the ACE for Wildlife™ Network is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to wildlife conservation and be part of a community dedicated to fostering empathy for the natural world.
Get involved with the ACE for Wildlife Network!
We are excited to announce that as of January 2024, US based AZA accredited zoos and aquariums will be able to apply to become Partner Organizations. Spearheaded by our Membership Committee, new Partner Organization applications are considered on a quarterly basis. Learn more about the different ways to be involved with the Network below.
About the Network
Joining the ACE for Wildlife™ Network allows you to connect with hundreds of other zoo, aquarium, and conservation professionals interested in helping people connect with the natural world. We believe we are stronger together, and pride ourselves in being a Network driven by participant priorities. We offer two levels of participation: Organizational and Individual.
Network Partner Organizations
A Network Partner Organization is a US based zoo or aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that is committed to empathy as a strategy for conservation and has joined the ACE for Wildlife Network.
Partner Organizations receive the following benefits:
- Organizational voting rights
- Travel support for two to biennial Summit
Partner Organization status in the ACE for Wildlife Network is not linked to eligibility for Woodland Park Zoo’s Building Organizational Capacity to Foster Empathy for Wildlife Granting Program. Due to funder restrictions, this granting program is currently only open to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in seven states (Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin). Learn more at https://www.zoo.org/empathy.
Our Membership Committee utilizes Google Drive to review applications. After clicking log in, you will be prompted to sign into your Google Account if you are not already.
Network Members & Affiliates
Individuals engage with the Network as Network Members or as Network Affiliates.
A Network Member is anyone who works or volunteers at a Network Partner Organization and has created an account on our website. If you work or volunteer at a Network Partner Organization and have not created an account, click the “log in” button on the top of the screen. Network Affiliates are individuals not associated with a current Partner Organization but who are involved in or interested in learning about empathy work and have joined the ACE for Wildlife Network. Network Members and Affiliates receive the following Membership Benefits:
- Access to resources
- Access to events
- Access to our discussion board
- Can participate in committees and working groups
Network Members also receive the following Membership Benefit:
- Eligible for travel scholarships to present on empathy projects at conferences
Member Testimonials
Hear from our current Members and Affiliates about the positive impact of the Network on their work.