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The Conservation Action Center at Zoo Miami has been recognized with a 2021 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) in the category of Parks and Recreation. The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
The Conservation Action Center, presented by the Marc and Robin Osheroff Family, is an immersive, interactive exhibition experience that introduces guests to conservation stories, both globally and locally. Guests can learn what they have in common with a polar bear and crawl through a larger than life python while learning about the impacts of invasive species. Visitors can see how fast they can scoop the “poop” into compost bins in “What’s the Poop?” and whack out environmental threats in “Habitat Whack-A-Mole.” They can touch a “robo-frog” and see how they help save frogs in the Amazon! They’ll explore the “Finding a Shared Habitat” house to see how their everyday actions at home impact their ecosystem and experience how environments come to life as they pledge to take action on behalf of wildlife. The Conservation Action Center tells powerful and personal stories of animals and people alike. Guests can discover their connections to conservation and see how they are helping to save species!
“Zoo Miami, the jewel of Miami-Dade County parks, is honored to be awarded with the National Association of Counties Achievement Award for the Conservation Action Center! Navigating the opening of this interpretive exhibit in January 2021 through a worldwide pandemic was challenging, but the positive responses from guests and locals of Miami- Dade County has made it all worth it,” said Will Elgar, Zoo Miami Director.
NACo President Gary Moore said, “Over the past year, county officials and frontline employees have demonstrated bold, inspirational leadership. This year’s Achievement Award winning programs illustrate the innovative ways counties build healthy, safe and vibrant communities across America.”
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.
