The Chattanooga Zoo Conservation Award

Created in memory of Patrick Jones—a friend, volunteer, and supporter of the Chattanooga Zoo—the Chattanooga Zoo Conservation Award recognizes excellence in Latin American zoo and aquarium -based field conservation and environmental education efforts. Award recipients receive scholarship funding to support their participation in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) annual conference, where they can share the results of their wildlife and habitat conservation efforts with the global zoo and aquarium community. The scholarship covers conference registration fees, roundtrip airfare, and lodging for the conference. Award recipients are selected each year by joint consultation of the Director of the Chattanooga Zoo and the ZCOG Executive Director. Funding for the Chattanooga Zoo Conservation Award is provided through annual contributions from the Friends of the Zoo (FOZ). ZCOG and the Chattanooga Zoo have been partners in this memorial scholarship award program since 1999. 

PAST RECIPIENTS
YEAR	NAME	INSTITUTION	CONFERENCE
1999	Maria Eugenia Martínez	Director of Education, Zoológico Guadalajara	AZA Western Regional Conference—El Paso, TX
2000	Jen Hilburn	Conservation Coordinator, Zoo Ave Wildlife Conservation Park	AZA National Conference— Orlando, FL
2001	Ivan Lira Torres	Wildlife Biologist,  ZOOMAT	International Tapir Symposium— San Jose, Costa Rica
2002	Luis Jacomé	Director of Animal Programs, Buenos Aires Zoo	AZA National Conference—Columbus, OH
2003	Mauricio Fabry	Senior Veterinarian, Zoológico del Parque Metropolitano de Santiago	AZA National Conference—Columbus, OH
2004	Jacquelline Gallegos Michel	Director of Education, Fondo El Triunfo	AZA National Conference— New Orleans, LA
2005	Alexander Blanco	Coordinator of Technical Services, Fundación de Parques Zoológicos y Acuarios de Venezuela (FUNPZA)	AZA National Conference— Chicago, IL
2006	Armando Castellaños	President and Principal Researcher, Andean Bear Foundation	AZA National Conference— Tampa, FL
2007	Leandro Silveira	Principal Researcher, Jaguar Conservation Fund	AZA National Conference—Philadelphia, PA
2008	Guillermo Cubillos	Biologist, Chilean Flamingo Project at the Zoológico del Parque Metropolitano de Santiago	AZA National Conference—Milwaukee, WI
2009	Diego Albareda	Veterinarian and Researcher, Sea Turtle Monitoring Program, Buenos Aires Zoo	AZA National Conference—Portland, OR
2010	Carmen Linares	Director of Education, Africam Safari	AZA National Conference—Houston, TX
2011	Andrés Capdevielle	Raptor Rescue Program Director, Buenos Aires Zoo	AZA National Conference—Atlanta, GA