We were proud to attend and present at the AZA Annual 2025 Conference, hosted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Florida Aquarium.

The timing and location of this year’s conference felt especially relevant from a climate perspective. We gathered in Tampa during an active hurricane season, following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and a year marked by unprecedented weather events across the country. As zoos and aquariums navigate our changing climate, we’re hearing from organizations that are preparing for future impacts, as well as responding to current challenges.

The tide is shifting: climate takes center stage

Last year, attendees noted the opportunity for increased sustainability and climate change content. This year delivered. Full sessions dedicated to climate, including:

• Weather or Not? Coping With Severe and Challenging Climate-Related Impacts
• Building Climate Resilience – Strategic Planning for Future Weather Events

Climate and sustainability also appeared across multiple tracks, such as Business Operations, Trends, and Conservation. The topic has moved beyond a simple environmental concern, becoming more integrated into zoo and aquarium operations. 

AZA Trends Report

Many conversations at AZA Annual connected back to AZA’s Trends 2033 Report.  This report identified anticipated transformative shifts that will affect the profession over the next ten years. The top megatrend is the environment, noting that climate change will impact wildlife, its care, and zoo and aquarium visitors. It is no longer an anticipated impact; it is being felt today.

The report identifies several specific environmental trends, and this year’s conference programming reflected them. Sessions moved beyond abstract discussions of climate change to tackle concrete operational challenges, adaptation strategies, and opportunities for organizational leadership.

Trend 1A: Climate change will impact wildlife and its care.

The “Adapting to the Future: Climate Change, Adaptation, and AI” panel demonstrated how a variety of identified trends will impact the industry, including how climate impacts extend far beyond animal welfare into workforce stability, operational strategy, and community engagement. 

Lisa Peterson from Houston Zoo emphasized that 86% of businesses are already affected by climate change, sharing experiences from San Diego Safari Park and Houston Zoo dealing with extreme weather events. Her message was clear: planning and drills aren’t optional, and the AZA community serves as a critical resource network. Karen Fifield from Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo discussed using UN Sustainable Development Goals as a practical framework for sustainability initiatives, highlighting infrastructure improvements and waste reduction efforts that build organizational resilience.

Kelly Fad from Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society offered an encouraging insight: active participation in conservation programs creates deeper workplace meaning, and staff from both animal and non-animal departments are engaging in this work. Meanwhile, Dan Dipiazzo from Georgia Aquarium addressed artificial intelligence as a strategic tool rather than a strategy itself. He explored applications in animal welfare, field research, sustainability, operations, and visitor engagement while emphasizing ethical considerations.

Trend 1C: Climate-related disasters will increase. 

The Trends report predicts an increase in the number and severity of climate-related disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, and wildfires. These disasters will require higher levels of disaster planning, mitigation, and response to protect animals, guests, staff, and facilities. The “Weather or Not? Coping With Severe and Challenging Climate-Related Impacts” session brought this to life through firsthand accounts from institutions in crisis.

Carly Hulse from Mystic Aquarium described the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium‘s recovery from three consecutive hurricanes (Ian, Helen, and Milton) on Sanibel Island, Florida. Her lessons learned: start hurricane prep early, document everything, lean on external support networks, and don’t underestimate the emotional toll of animal loss on staff. Julia Wilder from ZDR3 Zoological Disaster Response and Recovery shared wildfire response lessons, highlighting how rapidly compressed timelines, transit challenges, and resource limitations test even the best-laid plans. She stressed the importance of mutual aid networks and planning for 72 hours of self-sufficiency when external help may not be available.

Aubrey Anthony from the South Carolina Aquarium reframed the conversation around the role of a resilience coordinator—someone dedicated to understanding, mitigating, and responding to climate impacts. He showcased community-focused initiatives like Blue Line Projects and The SeaRise Project, which empower communities to address flooding and environmental challenges through citizen science. Kate Frost from Friends of WNC Nature Center presented the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, which caused extensive damage, landslides, and a five-month closure. Her key takeaway: employees are the foundation of organizational resilience. Job security, crisis communication plans, empowered volunteer opportunities, and strong partnerships (like those with Appalachian Wildlife Rescue and Highland Brewing) proved essential to recovery.

The session underscored that surviving climate disasters requires the people in your organization, community creative thinking, resourceful planning, strong organization, and perseverance.

Trend 1E: Environmental footprints will be reduced. 

The Trends report notes that “zoos and aquariums will be a model for their communities in the effort to address climate change. These practices link to zoos and aquariums’ mission of protecting biodiversity, increasing organizational resiliency, and reducing costs.” Wayne Warrington‘s session “Building Climate Resilience – Strategic Planning for Future Weather Events” explored what this leadership looks like in practice.

Wayne, one of our Senior Associates at Verdis Group, emphasized the power of data in understanding climate impacts on animal collections, staff well-being, and visitor attendance. Using resources like the AZA Trends 2033 report, NASA temperature visualizations, and attendance data from Houston Zoo and Denver Zoo, he demonstrated how institutions can quantify climate experienced loss. His call for more data from diverse climate zones highlighted the need for a comprehensive understanding of regional variations and their financial implications.

Rick Holzworth from Palm Beach Zoo explained how climate change is fundamentally reshaping zoo design and construction. Resilient infrastructure needs to withstand rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise. He noted that building code changes typically follow disasters, and those changes come with increased costs. His framing: climate change is a design problem that requires design solutions.

Brian Walsh from New England Aquarium examined the business realities of climate variability, showing how weather directly influences visitor attendance and revenue. His mitigation strategies, such as adjusting operating hours and tightening discretionary spending, reflect the operational agility required in an era of climate uncertainty. 

Andrew Fischer from SSA Group discussed the operational impacts of climate events, from facility closures to infrastructure damage, emphasizing the importance of involving operators and vendors in emergency preparedness. His focus on flooding, hurricanes, and heat extremes underscored the financial implications and the need for proactive mitigation and education.

Doug Piekarz from Akron Zoo shared a cautionary tale. Despite sustainable design efforts, a massive flood event struck the zoo shortly before the opening of their Grizzly Ridge exhibit in 2013. His experience illustrated that micro-climate impacts are highly site-specific and often unpredictable, reinforcing the importance of staying informed and using resources like the AZA Trends report for proactive planning and preparedness.

Climate leadership in action at AZA Annual 2025

AZA Annual 2025 marked a turning point for the field. Climate change is no longer a distant concern or a niche topic relegated to sustainability committees. It’s a central operational reality shaping every aspect of zoo and aquarium work, from animal care and facility design to staff retention and community engagement.

Feeling inspired to catalyze climate action at your organization? Contact Daniel Lawse at daniel@verdisgroup.com to explore ways to cultivate change at your organization.