Avian Leadership & Management

After completing this course, participants will be better able to:

• Use critical thinking to make more informed decisions in managing many aspects related to avian collections 

• Advocate for the needs of the taxa and the colleagues involved with the success of avian species within their purview

• Ensure the best welfare/well-being for the species in their care

• Develop problem-solving skills for themselves and their teams 

• Develop strategies to become an effective leader and mentor for their teams 

• Utilize resources, mentors, and networks within AZA to further their leadership skills and careers 

Monday
-  Student name badge pick-up 4:30-6:30 PM
 - Opening reception 6:30-7:00 PM
 - Course meets for opening session 7:00-8:30 PM 

Mid-Week
- Class meets all-day

Saturday
- Class meets through mid-afternoon 

Course activities begin on Monday evening, February 10 and the course ends on Saturday evening, February 15. Attendees should plan to depart on Sunday morning, February 16.

Attendance is required for course participants for the duration of the course until the evening of the last day. Attendees will receive a detailed schedule for their course after their registration is confirmed.  

Hannah Bailey, Conservation Program Manager - Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation Program, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Joe Barkowski, VP of Animal Conservation & Science - Tulsa Zoo
Sunny Nelson, VP of Conservation and Science - Lincoln Park Zoo 
Scott Newland, President & CEO - Sedgwick County Zoo
Kathy Russell, General Curator - Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
Anne Tieber, Curator of Birds - Saint Louis Zoo

This course is targeted toward current and future avian managers. This may include zookeepers or other staff looking toward a future in managing collections, as well as current managers at zoos, aquariums, nature centers, aviaries, wildlife agencies and related organizations who are interested in exploring new skills, techniques and methods to more successfully manage their roles. Facilities with a single broad taxonomic animal manager will also benefit from the techniques and processes provided in the course. Regardless of your current role or desire to manage collections, all participants will increase their knowledge and set goals for the future.

Topics (with an avian management focus) covered will include:

• Collection Planning
• Avian Care (Health & Nutrition)
• Acquisition/Disposition
• Welfare
• Reproductive Management
• Behavioral Management
• Facilities
• Conservation
• Staffing/Leadership
• AZA's Animal Programs 
• USDA requirements for avian collections

Prerequisites
None. Priority will be given to AZA members. Those not affiliated with an AZA-accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis;  please submit a letter describing your intended benefit from taking this course to azatraining@aza.org for consideration.

As a science-based organization, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums encourages all registrants, instructors, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and staff attending AZA meetings, courses and events to be up-to-date with vaccinations of all kinds, including COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

Registrants are required to agree to the Attendee Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk Policy (below) upon registering, agreeing to comply with any state or local mask mandates in place for indoor events until further notice. If no mask mandate is in place, attendees are encouraged to wear masks if they wish, but not required.

ATTENDEE LIABILITY WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK POLICY 

Attendee assumes all risks and accepts sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that attendee may experience or incur in connection with attending the EVENT. Attendee hereby releases, covenants not to sue, discharges, and holds harmless ASSOCIATION, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from any such claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs, or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto.

Specifically relating to the global COVID-19 pandemic, attendee acknowledges the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assumes the risk of exposure or infection by attending the EVENT, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, disability, and/or death to attendee. Attendee understands that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the EVENT may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of others who may attend the event or their families, colleagues, or others with whom they may have contact. Accordingly, attendee understands and agrees that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of ASSOCIATION, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in the EVENT.

In addition to all other rules and regulations relating to the attendee’s attendance at the EVENT, attendee agrees to comply with all COVID-related procedures that may be implemented by ASSOCIATION and EVENT VENUE, including, but not limited to, mask-wearing and social distancing requirements and restrictions on certain activities that carry higher COVID-related risk, in order to protect as much as possible, the health and safety of all EVENT attendees.

Air Travel
Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the closest airport, and is about 12 miles away from The National. 

Lodging

Course participants stay at The National Conference Center in Leesburng, Virginia, and classes meet on-site. All lodging reservations are priced per person at a package rate. Your accommodations will include breakfast, lunches, dinners, and snacks throughout the entirety of your stay. 

The National Conference Center does require a daily rate for local students who are not staying on site. If you are a local student and need to learn more about the daily rate, or have inquiries about lodging, please contact azatraining@aza.org.

Single Occupancy Rate*:

·       $269.00/night, plus tax

*Rates are all-inclusive and per single-occupancy room. Rooms are single occupancy only. Rate includes: 

o   Single occupancy room

o   Meals - starts with dinner on the day you check-in and ends with lunch on the day you check-out

o   Complimentary wi-fi

o   Complimentary fitness center

Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will receive an email containing detailed information once you are admitted.

Registration for this course is closed.

The registration fees below cover tuition. Other expenses include hotel, travel, and meals. Registration prices are subject to change each year. Notification of acceptance/wait list status will be sent to registrants after the Early Bird deadline. 

*This pricing is for anyone currently employed at an AZA accredited/certified institutions. Does not include Pathways to Membership institutions. Individual Membership is required for those from non-AZA institutions. Not a member? Join first to receive the deepest discount. Once your membership is processed, you can then register at the lowest rate. Contact membership@aza.org for any questions.

For information regarding our registration and refund policies, please visit our Professional Development Course Policies page. Accepted forms of payment for registration are by credit card, check, or purchase order. 

To register with a credit card
You may now register and pay online with a credit card. After logging in, select "Online Store" and click on the dropdown menu next to "Browse Categories." Choose "Professional Development" from the dropdown list, and click the title of the event for which you would like to register. You will receive an acceptance email or waitlist email when the Early Bird deadline closes. If you are not admitted into the course from the waitlist, a full refund will be promptly issued.

To register with a check or purchase order
Please email your request to register, specifying the course and the name of whom you would like to register, to the Professional Development Coordinator.
Checks sent for course payment will be cashed immediately upon receipt as per standard business practices. Cashing your check does not indicate that you have been accepted into a course. You will receive an acceptance email or a waitlist email when the Early Bird deadline closes. If you are not admitted into the course from the waitlist, a full refund will be promptly issued.