Two-year-old Griffin Schuetz, of Murfreesboro, points to an exhibit at the Tennessee Aquarium next to Dan Ashe, right, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, August 8, 2019. Ashe visited Chattanooga to recognize more than 25 years of AZA accreditation by the aquarium. / Photo by Mark Pace/Chattanooga Times Free Press
The role of zoos and aquariums in conservation is becoming more important as Earth faces catastrophic species decline and people spend less time outdoors, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Dan Ashe told an auditorium of Tennessee Aquarium personnel Thursday afternoon.
Ashe visited Chattanooga to recognize more than a quarter-century of continuous AZA accreditation for the aquarium. The former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director touted the work of accredited facilities, including the aquarium and the Chattanooga Zoo, during a more-than-45-minute speech in which he preached about the importance of conservation, sustainability, education and outreach.
"In the conservation community, we have to get a lot better at doing what we do so that we can make sure that as much of that diversity and abundance of life comes along with us as we [as a human population] expand our footprint on the planet," he said.
Tennessee Aquarium Chief Operating Officer Jackson Andrews, left, talks to Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, August 8, 2019. Ashe visited Chattanooga to recognize more than 25 years of AZA accreditation by the aquarium. / Photo by Mark Pace/Chattanooga Times Free PressAshe is concerned about the impacts a growing population will have worldwide. There's more of a strain on resources and less space for wildlife, he said. He's pleased with what membership organizations are doing to protect species and educate the public about the importance of wildlife. The aquarium has led efforts such as trout reintroduction, a decadeslong sturgeon release program and awareness about funding disparities for the Southeast.
AZA facilities invested more than $220 million in conservation last year, he said, and he expects that number to surpass $1 billion over a four-year period.
"There's magic that happens at places like the Tennessee Aquarium," he said. "The day-to-day connection to the outdoors is missing [in society], but that happens here."
Ashe visited the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute and took a tour of exhibits in the River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings during the visit.
"It's exciting that a national figure in our industry can come recognize the aquarium for being accredited for 26 years," aquarium president and CEO Keith Sanford said.
Member organizations have to maintain benchmark standards in a wide range of categories including animal care, staff training, guest experience, financing and more. The facilities go through accreditation every five years. They fill out an evaluation and application before AZA auditors inspect the facility and its operations. The aquarium went through that process late last year.
The inspections ensure the facilities can meet standards now and in the future, Ashe said. The association serves as a regulator and accrediting body. Members must meet the rising standards in the industry, but once they do they join a professional society of AZA facilities. Its members regularly share tips and information to improve operations and visitor experience at its facilities.
"They really look at everything," aquarium spokesman Thom Benson said. "As you go through time, you're always learning We're trying to take the best knowledge and share that amongst the members."
Contact Mark Pace with questions, comments, concerns or story tips at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook at ChattanoogaOutdoorsTFP.