Excellence, Every Day: A Quarter Century of Accreditation | Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

On a quiet morning along Virginia Beach’s coastline, a call may come in to the Virginia Aquarium's Stranding Response team to report a marine mammal or sea turtle in need. At the same time, students circle around an educator inside the Aquarium, full of questions about ocean life and what it means to be a good steward of the environment.

Those moments; animal response, childhood learning, and inspirational science are all part of the same mission. And they’re a big reason institutional accreditation matters.

It’s hard to see the framework behind it all; the set of professional standards that guide how we care for animals, protect guests, and deliver our mission with integrity. That framework is the accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The AZA accreditation isn’t a “feel-good” label. It’s one of the most demanding reviews in the field, evaluating the full scope of how zoos and aquariums operate; animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education, safety, facilities, staffing, governance, and financial sustainability.

And it’s not a “point in time” test. When AZA evaluates zoos and aquariums, they look back over multiple years of work. They review records, outcomes, training, and decision-making across time. In other words, accreditation reflects how consistently an organization performs, day in and day out, not how well it presents itself for a single inspection week. It means being "on" all the time.

The Aquarium first became AZA-accredited in 2001, committing to independent oversight and continuous improvement. And in 2026, the AZA awarded the Aquarium its Quarter Century Award in celebration of 25 continuous years of accreditation, with the next accreditation review cycle to begin in 2027.

A core expectation of AZA accreditation is conservation. Accredited zoos and aquariums are required to contribute meaningfully to protecting wildlife and the natural environment; not simply to exhibit animals. At the Virginia Aquarium, that commitment takes many forms: research, partnerships, habitat protection, and response programs such as our Stranding Response efforts. It also includes conservation and education initiatives like the OspreyWatch program and ReShark, which support research and monitoring while strengthening public awareness and stewardship of wildlife and ocean ecosystems.

Education is equally central. AZA accreditation recognizes that zoos and aquariums play a unique role in connecting people to the natural world. From early childhood learning and school programs to adult education, community outreach, and citizen science, education is not an add-on; it’s a pillar of the mission. Accreditation looks at whether programs are accurate, engaging, accessible, and aligned with conservation outcomes. Every lesson delivered and every question answered is part of that promise.

Accreditation also influences what zoos and aquariums can do behind the scenes. Without AZA accreditation, institutions are significantly limited in their ability to responsibly acquire, rescue, or care for many animals. Accredited organizations belong to a trusted professional network that ensures animals are placed only where expertise, facilities, and long-term planning meet the highest standards. That network makes critical collaboration possible; conservation breeding programs, animal transfers, and coordinated efforts that benefit species far beyond any single campus.

Another important reality: AZA standards don’t stand still. As science advances and best practices improve, expectations for animal welfare, education, sustainability, and safety continue to evolve. Accreditation is a commitment to keeping pace; meeting today’s standards while preparing for tomorrow’s higher ones.

Maintaining AZA accreditation requires more than excellent animal care and education; it also depends on stable governance and long-term operational certainty. When those elements are threatened, accreditation itself can be at risk.

Perhaps most importantly, AZA accreditation builds trust. It assures the community that zoos and aquariums like the Virginia Aquarium put animal well-being first, invest in education, operate safely and responsibly, and are held accountable through independent review. AZA accreditation helps ensure the wonder you experience is grounded in integrity, education, conservation, and renewed commitment every day.