National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium receives prestigious accreditation from Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has announced that the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium was granted accreditation by AZA's independent Accreditation Commission. The River Museum was one of 30 facilities granted accreditation by the Commission during AZA's Mid-Year Meeting held in Palm Springs, California.

"Congratulations to the leadership and staff at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium for attaining the global 'gold standard' in zoological and aquarium accreditation," said Dan Ashe, president, and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "AZA's standards continuously evolve to reflect best practices in the zoo and aquarium profession, with a strong emphasis on animal care and wellbeing at their core. The River Museum has demonstrated a dedication to this exceptional level of care."

AZA accreditation includes a detailed application and a meticulous multiple-day on-site inspection by an independent team of zoological and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team analyzes all aspects of the facility's operation, including animal care and wellbeing; veterinary care; staff training; educational programs; conservation efforts; financial stability; risk management; governance; and guest services. Detailed reports from the inspection team and the facility alike are then thoroughly evaluated by the Accreditation Commission before the Commission holds a formal hearing with top officials from the facility to fully grant, provisionally grant for one year, or deny accreditation.

A thorough review ensures that each facility has met and will continue to meet ever-rising standards. As a condition of Association membership, AZA facilities must complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years. The River Museum has received accreditation each cycle since its first accreditation in 2009.

The accreditation team specifically highlighted the River Museum's thorough life-long animal care plan, guest experience enhancements such as the accessibility assessment and KultureCity certification, interpretive master plan, and the staff's unified commitment and enjoyment for its work and mission during its evaluation.

"There is tremendous pride knowing the work we do at the River Museum and the impact we have as a conservation and education beacon in our community, state, and beyond is a direct result of maintaining the highest standard of care," said Kurt Strand, President and CEO at the River Museum. "This accreditation is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and hard work of our Living Collections team and the collaboration amongst the entire staff at the River Museum."

There are 238 AZA-accredited institutions and 14 AZA-accredited related facility members throughout the U.S. and 12 other countries. For a complete list of accredited AZA facilities, please visit https://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list.

About the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium inspires stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive. A Smithsonian Affiliate and an accredited member of both the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the River Museum's collections contain more than 41,000 historical items and over 2,000 animals of more than 250 species representative of the Mississippi River, its watershed, the rivers of America, and beyond. Learn more at www.rivermuseum.org.

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 the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and 12 other 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.