Accreditations & Recognition
The Virginia Aquarium strives to maintain the best practices in animal husbandry and conservation required by our accrediting organizations.
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
The Accreditation Commission evaluates every zoo or aquarium to make sure it meets AZA's standards for including living environments, social groupings, health, and nutrition. Every animal at AZA-accredited institutions undergoes a thorough welfare assessment at least once a year. AZA also ensures that animals are provided with enrichment to stimulate natural behavior. The Accreditation Commission also evaluates the veterinary program, involvement in conservation and research, education programs, safety policies and procedures, security, physical facilities, guest services, and the quality of the institution's staff.
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Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums
Considered to be the most comprehensive and stringent in the world, Alliance accreditation standards are based on decades of experience and best practices of marine mammal experts throughout the world. To become accredited, facilities must meet or exceed these standards, which encompass topics ranging from animal health and wellness, applied animal behavior, training and enrichment, and water and environmental quality, to population sustainability, transportation, scientific research and conservation, and public education. Alliance-accredited facilities must demonstrate they meet these requirements every five years in a comprehensive, two-day, on-site inspection by a team of experienced professionals.
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World Association of Zoos & Aquariums
WAZA members are regional associations, national federations, zoos, and aquariums, dedicated to providing the highest standards of care and striving to achieve the most in the conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.
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Association of Science and Technology Centers
ASTC is a professional membership organization with a vision of increased understanding of—and engagement with—science and technology among all people and a mission to champion and support science and technology centers and museums.
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