The International Zoo Educators' Association (IZE, short for IZEA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the education programmes in zoos and aquariums. Founded in 1972 by a group of European zoo educators, IZE’s aim was to create a forum where zoo educators could meet every two years to discuss and share ideas and common interests. The founding members included those from Frankfurt Zoo, Amsterdam Zoo, Paignton Zoo and Copenhagen Zoo. The first IZE President was Rosl Kirchshofer, head of education at the Frankfurt Zoo. Proceedings were produced for the first time at the second international meeting in 1974 at Copenhagen Zoo. To facilitate communication among members the first newsletter was produced in 1977, edited by Jan Hatley, head of education at Paignton Zoo. The IZE website states that the association's mission is to: ‘[...expand] the educational impact of zoos and aquariums worldwide’, ‘improve the education programs’ and ‘support excellence in animal care and welfare’.In November 1999 a group of IZE European members began a European regional internet discussion group to help educators network between conferences. This group started life as the ERNIZE Yahoo Group managed by staff at Chester Zoo in England. In June 2007 the IZE Board voted to make the group international and available to IZE members worldwide. The name changed to the IZE Yahoo Group and its management transferred to Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. Membership of the group is by invitation-only and its primary purpose is ‘to enable discussion, exchange of information and questions etc between zoo educators across the world’. In August 2010 it had 197 members. Institutional membership and sponsored delegatesIZE offers institutional membership to zoos, aquariums, nature/wildlife centres and wildlife reserves. At least 50% of this annual membership fee is used in a scheme to enable sponsored delegates to attend conferences when they might not otherwise be able to afford to, and supports outreach to zoo and wildlife educators in the developing world. Sponsored delegates must be qualified to seek full membership and be unable to pay regular membership fees. Sponsored membership applications must be approved by the Regional Representatives and IZE President. Approved members are entitled to all rights and privileges of full membership for two years. Every year since 2000, IZE have reported to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) about their achievements to realize the education goals formulated in the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy.
In 2002 IZE becomes an affiliate member of WAZA. In 2004 an IZE Central Office was established after a proposal to WAZA for assistance. It was decided during the 2004 WAZA Conference in Taipei to offer room, equipment and a one day a week staff member in their headquarters at this time in Bern (now in Gland, Switzerland), giving IZE a stable base for all kinds of activities. This also increased the efficiency of the management of IZE membership dues, allowing more sponsored delegates to attend the IZE Conferences. Since 2009, IZE have made a contribution towards the running costs of the headquarters. Under a MOU, the WAZA's Executive Office provides secretariat support to the International Zoo Educators Association (IZE). WAZA encourages also zoo and aquarium staff to participate in local, national, regional and international networks such as the International Zoo Educators Association (IZE) and its regional groups.
In 2002 IZE becomes an affiliate member of WAZA. In 2004 an IZE Central Office was established after a proposal to WAZA for assistance. It was decided during the 2004 WAZA Conference in Taipei to offer room, equipment and a one day a week staff member in their headquarters at this time in Bern (now in Gland, Switzerland), giving IZE a stable base for all kinds of activities. This also increased the efficiency of the management of IZE membership dues, allowing more sponsored delegates to attend the IZE Conferences. Since 2009, IZE have made a contribution towards the running costs of the headquarters. Under a MOU, the WAZA's Executive Office provides secretariat support to the International Zoo Educators Association (IZE). WAZA encourages also zoo and aquarium staff to participate in local, national, regional and international networks such as the International Zoo Educators Association (IZE) and its regional groups.
