Voices for Conservation

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In this episode, Stacey sits down with three senior members of our Youth Leadership Development team and chats about their experiences as volunteers and their goals for beyond PDZA. 

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On this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey and Philina chat about the Shark and Ray SAFE, Sharks and Rays Awareness Day, and how we can support oceanic sharks. Stacey also chats with Aquarist Cindy K. about how PDZA cares for our sharks and contributes to Zebra shark conservation efforts. 

Resources

Article for AZA Connect 2020 https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/zebra-shark-conservation

 ReShark  https://www.reshark.org/star-project

 Raja Ampat Research & Conservation Centre  https://stichting-rarcc.org/star-project/

 Mongabay (journal organization) – article about Zebra sharks and the StAR project:  https://news.mongabay.com/2024/04/rewilding-program-ships-eggs-around-the-world-to-restore-raja-ampat-zebra-sharks/

The Shark Trust: https://www.sharktrust.org/

Take the Big Shark Pledge! https://www.sharktrust.org/bigsharkpledge

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In this staff chat, Stacey sits down with two members of our Animal Health Care team, Vet Tech Bianca M. and Dr. Cassidy S. 

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In this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey and Philina chat about burnout, fatigue, and how Zoo professionals get a double dose of both from both climate change and zoo work. 

Burnout and Fatigue Resources and Further Reading

Bemister, K. & Tawfik, M. (2023). Record, Recall, Reflect: A Qualitative Examination of Compassion Fatigue in Toronto Zoo Staff. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 4(2):413-426. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370671267_Record_Recall_Reflect_A_Qualitative_Examination_of_Compassion_Fatigue_in_Toronto_Zoo_Staff. 

Burned Out on a Burning Planet: https://commonhome.georgetown.edu/topics/climateenergy/burned-out-on-a-burning-planet/ 

Climate Activism Without Burnout: Evidence-Based Practices to Improve Well-Being: https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/news-events/climate-activism-without-burnout-evidence-based-practices-to-improve-well-being/

Climate Burnout Report: https://www.climatecritical.earth/report

Climate Change ‘Burnout’ is Taking Its Toll: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/23112024/climate-change-burnout-taking-its-toll/

Climate Mental Health Network: https://www.climatementalhealth.net/. 

Currin-McCulloch J., Nageotte N., Walker A., McDonald SE., Kogan LR. (2024). Experiences of Animal Loss and Grief among Zoo Professionals and Volunteers: A Qualitative Study. Animals. 14(20). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384838691_Experiences_of_Animal_Loss_and_Grief_among_Zoo_Professionals_and_Volunteers_A_Qualitative_Study

Currin-McCulloch J., Nageotte N., Walker A., McDonald SE., Kogan LR. (2025). Animal loss and grief in zoos: Qualitative insights to inform organizational support for zoo professionals and volunteers. Human-Animal Interactions 13(1). https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0004#:~:text=Research%20specific%20to%20US%20zoos,et%20al.%2C%202024).

Marino, J. (2023). Measuring Burnout in Zoo and Aquarium Professionals: A Case for Equity and Justice. Animal Keepers’ Forum, 50(4), 103 – 108. https://d197for5662m48.cloudfront.net/documents/publicationstatus/136748/preprint_pdf/268944da4d93e57ebcdaf30f82aee97d.pdf

Steentjes K. & Roberts E. (2024). Raising alarm bells for a struggling sector: taking a new approach to improve the wellbeing of climate change professionals. Front Psychol. 2024 Jul 19;15:1404252. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1404252. PMID: 39100553; PMCID: PMC11295274. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11295274/

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In this episode, Stacey sits down with our six 2024 Volunteer Award Winners.

2024 Rising Star Award: Shelby R. and Walt B.

2024 Unsung Hero Award: Tony C. and Jackie C.C.

2024 Rookie of the Year: Bob Y. 

2024 Brightman Achievement Award Winner: Tom R. 

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In this special Staff Chat, Stacey chats with 2024 Supervisors of the Year Suzanne Akerman and Laura Rynberg. 

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On this episode of Breaks for Conservation, Philina talks about corals, why we care about corals, and chats with Amy H. and Mette H. about designing the Coral Up Close exhibit in Tropical Reef Aquarium. 

Supplemental materials

Coral polyp up close: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/media/supp_coral01a.html

Symmetry: https://evolution.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/symmetrydiagram.gif

Supplemental Reading

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-021-04319-8

https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-marine-122414-033857

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7176417/

https://www.coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcrcp/news/featuredstories/may20/welcome.html

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On this Staff Chat, Stacey chats with Aquarist Cindy K. and Volunteer Bruce J. about their experiences in the newly remodeled Tropical Reef Aquarium. 

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On this episode of Breaks for Conservation, Stacey is joined by Lead Horticulturist Bryon J.

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On this staff chat, Stacey talks with Front Gate Leads Christie and Diamond about their journey to PDZA and some of the unique stories from the Front Gate.