Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation
About Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation
If you care about animals in managed care, this is the unglamorous but essential work behind the scenes: nutrition education, research support, and real training for the people doing the feeding. The Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation backs residency training, student travel, research grants, and conference participation so zoo nutritionists can build better diets for individual animals. It also gives guidance for captive feeding programs, which means the help reaches both the classroom and the animal care area.
This foundation stays focused on one niche that really matters, zoo and wildlife nutrition. It supports the field from several angles, including training, research, and practical diet guidance, with an emphasis on individualized plans shaped by an animal’s nutritional, husbandry, behavioral, and clinical needs.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Sue Crissey Animal Nutrition Residency Fund (SCARF)
A grant program that supports the next generation of zoo nutritionists through residency training at qualified host institutions.
Education and travel grants
Funding to help students travel and participate in nutrition conferences around the country.
Research grants
Support for research projects in zoo and wildlife nutrition.
Nutrition education and diet guidance
Resources and advice that help nutritionists develop appropriate diets for animals in managed care.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
The Zoo Nutrition Foundation provides nutrition education and advice for captive feeding programs in concert with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Nutrition Advisory Group, and participates in and contributes to global and regional nutrition research programs.
Who they serve
AZA member institutions, zoo and wildlife nutritionists, students, trainees, and qualified host institutions
Their impact
- Provided over $56,000 to support training qualified zoo nutritionists through the SCARF program from 2012 to 2022.
- Provided $9,000 to support 21 students to travel and participate in nutrition conferences around the country.
- Provided $10,477 to support 6 research projects.
How your donation helps
- SCARF resident training
- student travel to nutrition conferences
- research projects
- zoo and wildlife nutrition programs worldwide
Our story
Zoo Nutrition Foundation was established in 2012 in support of the AZA Nutrition Advisory Group by a group of individual leaders within the field of zoo and wildlife nutrition.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation’s services.
AZA member institutions can use the contact page to request information, announcements, or support related to zoo and wildlife nutrition. The foundation provides resources for nutritionists developing diet plans rather than publishing standard diets.
In their words
The most appropriate diet for your animal is one that accounts for its nutritional, husbandry, behavioral, and clinical needs as well as individual preferences.
We do not publish "standard" diets.
Events
NAG/ZWNF Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition
annualA recurring conference with workshops, a scientific program, a zoo day, and a banquet, including a SCARF benefit.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation has shared.
Current needs
- Support for SCARF resident training
- Support for student travel grants
- Support for zoo and wildlife nutrition research projects
Recognition & press
Partners & funders
In the news
Articles featuring Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation from the Love What You Fund newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What does the foundation fund through SCARF?
SCARF supports zoo nutrition residency training at qualified host institutions, with funding provided for two years.
Does the foundation publish standard diets for animals?
No. It offers resources that help nutritionists build appropriate diet plans for individual animals and institutions.
Who is the foundation’s priority audience?
Its priority audience is AZA member institutions and the zoo and wildlife nutrition community.
Similar nonprofits
Other zoos & aquariums nonprofits in TX.