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Department of Animal Sciences

CFAES

Columbus AAZK Chapter

The Columbus AAZK Chapter is looking for interested students and student organizations to join the chapter.  The Columbus AAZK Chapter is willing to provide talks/Q&A (zookeeping, field work, enrichment, other aspects of animal care, etc.), do community/river cleanups, and conservation fundraising for a good cause. The Chapter can help provide resume building opportunities and experience for students in addition to networking with zoo staff and volunteers. An example of the volunteer opportunities the Chapter held was Bowling for Rhinos (A National AAZK fundraiser).  The Columbus AAZK Chapter also assists with providing members with grants for professional development (to attend workshops and conferences), networking, and fundraising for conservation and our own chapter. AAZK.org is the National AAZK website that has info on National grants, committees and resources. Membership also includes receiving the Animal Keeper Forum monthly publication, which includes updates and articles by members on research, training, enrichment, and conservation reports from our conservation partners (vetted organizations). National conferences also include certification courses that focus on a particular area of interest (such as intro to avian care, animal nutrition, to name a few).  Anyone interested in getting involved in the Columbus AAZK Chapter or contacting them to host an information session for your club, contact Joy Kotheimer at joyfulkotheimer@gmail.com or columbusaazkchapter@gmail.com.  The Columbus AAZK Chapter typically has meetings on the 15th of the month at the Columbus Zoo, however, they’re willing to look at having meetings closer to campus if there is the student interest.