Association of Zoological Horticulture

2020-2021 Commitment to Plant Conservation

Zoo horticulture involves more than enhancing the landscape for its resident animal populations as evidenced by the thousands of dollars used to protect and conserve the natural environment within our zoos and around the world.

One of the core values of the Association of Zoological Horticulture (AZH) is conservation of rare plants and plant diversity.  This commitment to plant conservation through the AZH Plant Conservation Grant program began in 1992 and has awarded over $475,000 to projects spanning the country and the globe.

AZH plant conservation grants encourage plant conservation activities and partnerships within and between AZH members, member zoos and member zoo partners.  Grant monies are provided through the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF), AZH member donations, and auction proceeds from annual conferences. AZH Plant Conservation Grants are awarded for both in-situ and ex-situ plant conservation work.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2020-2021 AZH Plant Conservation grant program!

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

Establishment of a community-based tree nursery for landscape enrichment and community engagement in the buffer zone of a newly established 2000-acre reserve in the Guatemalan Dry Forest 

San Diego Zoo

California Native Oak Conservation 

Atlanta Botanical Garden 

Seedbanking Georgia’s critically imperiled native plant species on the Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest 

Naples Botanical Garden 

Building Capacity for Conservation of Native Trees and Shrubs in Puerto Rico

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Advancing Cryobiotechnology Research, Networking, and Information Sharing for Oak Conservation

The Association of Zoological Horticulture is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the advancement of zoo horticulture in zoological parks, gardens, and aquariums. AZH works to highlight the importance of plants within zoos and aquariums, and seeks to support the horticulturists who work in a zoological setting.