Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Receives Accreditation from Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center announces it has been granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) independent Accreditation Commission.

To be accredited, the Science Center underwent a thorough review to assure it has and will continue to meet rising standards, which include animal care and welfare, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete the rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association.

The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquariums professionals. The Science Center’s on-site inspection took place in May. The inspecting team observed all aspects of operations, including animal care and welfare; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; visitor services; and other areas. Science Center Executive Director Iain MacLeod attended a formal hearing of AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission on September 8 in San Diego, where he found out the Science Center has been granted accreditation for a third five-year period.

“The Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredits only those zoos and aquariums that meet the highest standards. By achieving AZA-accreditation, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center demonstrates that it is dedicated to protecting species and educating its visitors about the natural world,” said AZA Interim President and CEO Kris Vehrs. “The community can take great pride in knowing that the Science Center is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of conservationists.”

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center first received accreditation in 2006 and applied for and was granted accreditation again in 2011. They continue to be the only institution in northern New England to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

2016 has been a big year for Squam Lakes Natural Science Center with celebrations throughout the year for its fiftieth anniversary; publication of two nature books; the opening of the new Water Matters Pavilion, which includes 18 water-related exhibits and live animals; and more visitors learning about New Hampshire nature than ever before.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has added many improvements and expansions over the past few years at the culmination of the Nature Matters capital campaign, which raised $4 million to help secure the future of the Science Center. The campaign funded new exhibits including Wood Energy, the Gordon Interactive Playscape, and Water Matters Pavilion, in addition to improving the behind-the-scenes living quarters for program raptors. The campaign also raised money to maintain facilities and exhibits in the future, and added to reserve funds.

“We are thrilled to have this recognition of our hard work and devotion to the highest possible industry standards,” said Iain MacLeod, Executive Director. “It is a testament to our staff, volunteers, and visitors, who throughout our history, have helped make the Science Center into the impressive institution it is today.”

Where to go from here

By Rachael Sitzer, Program Intern

I’ve always been a go-with-the-flow kind of person. Is there anything wrong with that? How many college students ever know for sure what they will do, or at least want to do after they graduate? Being a zoo science major, I know that I want to work in a zoo as a zookeeper and eventually become a curator. But that is where my plan ends. I don’t know what zoo I will work at or where. Besides, there are only about 200 AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited zoos throughout America. Why limit myself even further by wanting to work with certain animals, at a certain zoo, or in a particular state or part of the country? It is my belief that getting where you want in life is about being open to change and having the right state of mind to take advantage of rare opportunities. That being said, I am simply waiting for one of those opportunities to come along.

That’s also what I was doing before I came to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center as an intern. By no means did I ever expect myself to be working at a “science center” rather than a zoo, but I saw the internship as a unique opportunity that I could not pass up. Thankfully, I have found the Science Center to be a reputable AZA institution (as small as it might seem) with dedicated staff and I haven’t regretted being here for a single minute. In fact, I completely underestimated the Science Center in its ability to provide me with the kind of experience I was looking for. I have taken care of and worked hands-on with animals that I’ve never come close to seeing before. Ironically, I have had the chance to see the faces of visitors and children as they were witnessing certain animals for the first time when, little do they know, I was in their shoes only months ago. Frankly, I have been astounded by the high-quality educational programs and exceptional visitor experience that the Science Center provides.

Completing this internship has not helped me decide on a career. I determined many years ago what career I have been heading toward: zookeeping. Instead, this internship has strengthened my lifelong ambitions and given me additional motivation to achieve my career goals. Even with this rekindled determination, there’s still no chance of me making plans for my future. Don’t get me wrong, I always prepare for the future as much as realistically possible, but I’m not going to naively plan out a career path that will probably change. So no, I can’t say for sure what I will be doing in May when I graduate, and I won’t know for sure until that day actually comes. But I trust that my experience here at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will carry me great distances toward my desired career in zookeeping and help me when the right opportunity comes along. After all, some of the best things in our lives come along unexpectedly.