The Akron Zoo joins their accrediting organization, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), in support of the March for Science on Earth Day, April 22, 2017.  During the event thousands of people will March for Science in cities around the country, including Public Square in Cleveland.  The national March for Science will take place in Washington, D.C. on the same day.

“We support this effort because we love and value the animals in our care and the science behind their conservation in nature,” said Doug Piekarz, Akron Zoo president & CEO. “Science is the foundation of what we do each and every day as an accredited member of the AZA. The Akron Zoo, along with its colleagues, play a vital role in teaching science education to children and adults using STEM principles and concepts to solve problems and open the mind to opportunities and possibilities.” 

The AZA accredited zoo and aquarium community applies science every day to advance conservation, animal care and welfare both locally and globally.  Research and discovery is ongoing as the interdisciplinary field of conservation biology continues to use data driven research to create a greater understanding of the natural world and the collective human impacts on the planet. 

“In our field the scientific method is used to develop programs that protect nature and save animals from extinction. In a world that has very little “wild” left, we need to learn and acknowledge the need to manage both species and natural systems for the benefit of all life on Earth,” added Piekarz.  “The scientific method is the basis of our understanding and is employed in all of our cooperative AZA conservation and science programs, like Species Survival Plans, and SAFE:  Saving Animals From Extinction.”

The Akron Zoo is passionate about science and believes it to be at the core of progress, and prosperity for all.  Groups and individuals wanting to participate in the March for Science Cleveland can find additional information at http://www.sciencemarchcle.com/