Author: insightDev

The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park has once again earned the prestigious accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Widely regarded as the “gold standard” of zoological accreditation, AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission recently reviewed 30 applications for accreditation during the AZA’s 2023 Annual Conference held in Columbus, Ohio. The NEW Zoo was one of 22 facilities that earned accreditation.

AZA accreditation includes a detailed application and a meticulous, on-site, multiple-day inspection by an independent team of zoological professionals. The inspecting team analyzes all aspects of the facility’s operation, including animal welfare and wellbeing; veterinary care; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; financial stability; risk management; governance; and guest services. A thorough review ensures each accredited facility has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards. AZA facilities must complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years as a condition of Association membership.

“Every year, AZA sends over 200 accreditation inspectors around the world to review 60 to 70 applications for accreditation,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of AZA. “AZA’s standards are continuously revised to reflect cutting-edge zoological practices based on the latest animal wellbeing science and research. Clearly, the best-of-the-best zoos and aquariums want to be part of our association.”

NEW Zoo & Adventure Park Director Carmen Murach adds, “Earning AZA accreditation is a significant accomplishment – and it’s one we’ve held now for 27 years. There are only 237 AZA-accredited facilities in the United States. We’re proud to be members of this respected community dedicated to conservation, education, and to providing the best for the animals in our care.”

For a complete list of accredited AZA facilities, visit https://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list.

The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park was recently named one of the best zoos in the United States by Time Out. The list of the top 28 zoos, published in May 2025, focuses on zoos that provide excellent opportunities for guests to connect with animals and foster empathy for them, especially through interactive experiences. The zoo’s Giraffe Feeding Experience received a special mention, along with our conservation work with endangered species such as native monarch butterflies.

“The NEW Zoo has been dedicated to connecting our community with wildlife and nature and to supporting conservation efforts for decades,” says Zoo Director Carmen Murach. “It’s wonderful to be recognized for this important work, especially alongside so many other top-notch zoos. We’re honored to be included.”

The zoo offers a variety of interactive experiences and opportunities to get up-close with animals, especially during the summer months. Guests can purchase tickets to feed the penguins, otters, and pelicans seasonally, and admission to the NEW Zoo and to the Neil Anderson Canopy Tour are half price from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays in June, July, and August.

The Adventure Park is also fully open during the summer season! Enjoy the ropes course, zip lines, climbing wall, or the Kids Kourse daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Looking for something “new” to do on your next zoo visit? Download our free Photo Fun Safari app – available now for both iPhone and Android devices – and have fun completing a photo scavenger hunt while learning fun facts about the zoo animals. The app is customized to the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park, featuring photos and facts about our very own animals. Go on a safari to find different zoo critters in different poses – such as swimming, walking, sleeping, and more. Take photos to complete the challenge – it’s fun for kids and adult alike!

Want to “level up,” or experience even more Photo Fun Safaris to keep you busy on future NEW Zoo visits? Consider an upgrade! Several additional safaris are also available in the app. You can download one or choose the full package to gain access to them all.

Ready to join the animal quest?

Just search for ‘Photo Fun Safaris Green Bay‘ in your app store, click on the links below, or scan the right QR code from your phone or tablet to download the app today:

The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park has earned the Quarter Century Award from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). The award is presented to organizations who have maintained 25 years of continuous accreditation.  The NEW Zoo was first accredited in 1996.

Accreditation is a process by which a program, organization, or institution is evaluated by recognized experts in the profession, and is measured against the established standards and best practices of that profession. Overseeing this process in AZA is the Accreditation Commission- a group of sixteen experienced and trained experts in operations, animal welfare and husbandry, and veterinary medicine. These experts are sworn to maintain complete impartiality in their judgements and to thoroughly examine each zoo or aquarium that applies for AZA accreditation to determine if AZA standards are being met. Only those zoos and aquariums that earn AZA accreditation can become members of AZA.

No one knows more about a profession than those who are part of it and who live it every day. AZA has been the primary accrediting body for zoos and aquariums for over 40 years. U.S. agencies such as OSHA and the USDA consider AZA standards as the “national” standard, and they refer to AZA standards when evaluating institutions. AZA’s rigorous, scientifically based and publicly-available standards examine the zoo or aquarium’s entire operation, including animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education, guest services, physical facilities, safety, staffing, finance, and governing body. AZA standards are performance-based to allow them to be applied to a variety of different situations and cases. AZA is continuously raising its standards as science continues to learn more and more about the species in our care. Accreditation is rescinded if AZA standards are not maintained.

Fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors that are licensed by the USDA are accredited by the AZA.