BIAZA demands a serious commitment to education from all its full and provisional member collections. The majority of BIAZA member collections now employ full or part-time education staff, many of whom are qualified and experienced teachers. Education staff are increasingly involved in the planning of animal collections and shaping the future development of zoos to fulfil their local and global role, as set out in the “World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy” (WAZA, 2005). Zoo education programmes are now recognized as “one of the primary tools of conservation.”
Education is at the heart of everything that BIAZA members do. Moreover, the zoo licensing laws see education as one of the most important components of the work that zoos and aquariums carry out. Many BIAZA members employ qualified teachers to work with education groups, and others offer training courses to their guiding staff so that they are always up to date with the school national curriculum.
School groups are only part of the education offered by zoos and aquariums. Family learning groups enjoy structured visits, organized by the education team, and those with learning difficulties can take part in hands-on workshops. Further education colleges and universities often come to the sites to learn about animal husbandry and the business side of running such attractions.
Providing work placement opportunities, often in conjunction with regional Connexions organisations, allow students to learn about working in a zoo or aquarium. Such placements are heavily over-subscribed due to their popularity.
BIAZA supports zoo educators in meeting the needs of zoo visitors, school children and teachers. Annual zoo education awards encourage the sharing of good practice between member zoos. Organizing training for zoo staff and encouraging attendance at national and international zoo education conferences are other ways in which BIAZA fulfils its commitment to high quality education in support of worldwide conservation.
The Deep
In the end we will conserve only what we love and respect.
We will love and respect only what we understand.
We will understand only what we are taught or allowed to experience.
attributed to Baba Dioum, an African conservationist
![Education a serious business for BIAZA zoos [credited to The Deep]](../../../images/education/seriousBusiness.jpg)