Evaluating Successful Conservation Partnerships Between Zoos and Aquariums, Federal and State Agencies and Non-governmental Organizations

Abstract

This research identifies characteristics and trends in conservation partnerships between American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) accredited institutions and their partners. One hundred and five AZA accredited zoos and aquariums or related facilities participated in the preliminary survey, and 75 AZA zoos and aquariums were interviewed by telephone. Structure, personalities, process, and commitment were found to be the four principal components of successful partnerships. Leadership, communication, and trust between partners led to partnership success. Several improvements can be made to partnerships: training on how to develop effective collaborations, developing effective evaluation criteria, and improving communication resources. Creating a database of partnerships and building strong one-on-one relationships were also recommended.