How to Join
You can be a force for wildlife conservation. Join the ACE for Wildlife™ Network to share knowledge, build professional skills, and work in coordination with a highly collaborative zoo and aquarium community to foster empathy for animals and people.
Why join the Network?
Joining us gives you complimentary access to the resources we’ve developed over the past decade to support empathy practices at accredited zoos and aquariums.
Network participants build community with hundreds of other zoo, aquarium, and conservation professionals interested in helping people connect with animals, nature, and each other. Through the Network, you can also receive resources and training for your professional growth – from networking and relationship building to public speaking and program development.
HOW TO JOIN
Both organizations and individuals can participate in the Network. If your zoo or aquarium is not already a Partner Organization (see list here), we encourage you to start your journey by applying to be an individual Affiliate.
Affiliates and Members
Affiliates are individuals who are interested in learning about empathy work and have joined the ACE for Wildlife Network. Affiliates can:
- Access resources
- Access events
- Access our discussion board
- Participate in committees and working groups
Members are individuals who work or volunteer at a Network Partner Organization (see list here). Members can access the same benefits as Affiliates and are also eligible for travel scholarships to present on empathy projects at conferences. Members do not need to apply but can click the “login button” at the top of this screen to create a Network account.
Please note that processing time for Affiliate applications typically ranges 3-4 weeks.
Partner Organizations
A Partner Organization is a US-based zoo or aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that is committed to empathy as a strategy for conservation and has joined the ACE for Wildlife Network.
At this time, we are not accepting applications for new Partner Organizations to join the Network. Check back in Summer 2025 for further updates. Please reach out to empathy@zoo.org with questions.
Please note: Participation as a Partner Organization is separate and distinct from eligibility for Woodland Park Zoo’s Advancing Empathy Grant Program. The grant program has additional eligibility requirements, which you can review at https://www.zoo.org/empathy.
Member Testimonials
Hear from our current Members and Affiliates about the positive impact of the Network on their work.