Association of Zoos and Aquariums collaborates with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom to announce Wild Futures Grant Program recipients

Four AZA-accredited institutions each awarded $10,000 for youth education initiatives

Silver Spring, Md. (May 19, 2026) - In collaboration with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has announced the 2026 Wild Futures Grant Program recipients. Four AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums will each receive $10,000 from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom to fund youth conservation education initiatives.

These grants are offered through the Wild Futures Grant Program, a pilot initiative created this year by Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and AZA to support impactful educational activities at AZA member organizations that engage youth in hands-on conservation work.

"Wild Kingdom has long been about inspiring a connection to nature and wildlife, and through our collaboration with AZA, we're bringing that to life for the next generation," said Jen Wulf, vice president of Marketing at Mutual of Omaha, "The Wild Futures Grant Program supports hands-on experiences that help young people build the curiosity, understanding and passion needed to become tomorrow's leaders in protecting and conserving wildlife."

"AZA is committed to protecting wildlife and wild places, and accredited zoos and aquariums help advance that mission by serving as powerful incubators for the next generation of conservation leaders," said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "We are grateful for our relationship with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom in funding the Wild Futures Grant Program. Through this initiative, we're investing in youth education that deepens young people's understanding and connection to nature today, building the skills and stewardship that conservation will continue to depend on in the years ahead."

AZA and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom congratulate the following Wild Futures Grant Program recipients:

South Carolina Aquarium
Charleston, S.C.

Funding will provide general support for the South Carolina Aquarium's Teen Conservation Crew, a paid career-discovery program for high school students that builds conservation and climate resilience skills through hands-on learning experiences. Funding will also support a day of experiential learning with the South Carolina 7 Expedition, connecting crewmates with a new ecosystem and statewide conservation leaders.

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Tacoma, Wash.

Granted funds will support three community science youth initiatives at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. The grant will help expand student and public engagement in the Zoo's larval Dungeness crab monitoring program by purchasing and developing new outreach resources. Funding will also grow the Zoo's gear library to reduce barriers to participation in Spot the Swallows, a long-running volunteer community science project that monitors local purple martin breeding colonies. In addition, the grant will expand Explore the Shore, a free low-tide education program, by training and deploying additional interpreters and increasing coverage along the shoreline.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Bridgeport, Conn.

Wild Futures Grant Program funding will provide operational support for Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo's Conservation Discovery Core (CDC), a year-round program that places high school students from across Connecticut at the center of conservation science. Granted funds will also support the 2026 Eco-Expedition, which will send CDC students into the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park to conduct original field research on climate change impacts, predator-prey dynamics and the reintroduction of apex predators.

Houston Zoo
Houston, Texas.

The Houston Zoo's Teen International Travel program gives Zoo Crew members the opportunity to work alongside the Zoo's global conservation partners in the field, connecting teens to real-world wildlife conservation. The grant from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom will support the program and its March 2027 trip to Belize, making the experience accessible to the next generation of wildlife advocates.

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About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science and recreation. AZA is setting the global gold standard, accrediting 254 of the top zoos, aquariums and related facilities in 12 countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

About Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
Since its network television premiere in 1963, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom has been one of the most loved and respected wildlife programs in television history. The Daytime Emmy® nominated Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, now airing weekends on NBC's "The More You Know" time block, celebrates stories of conservation success, including the great work of caring, compassionate experts and how they are making a positive impact on the Wild Kingdom. For more information about Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, visit wildkingom.com.