Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recs

Through this course, students will:

• Receive training on how to be competent population managers who can effectively coordinate zoo and aquarium breeding programs

• Increase their skills analyzing studbook data, interpreting resulting outputs, developing realistic population goals, and producing management plans to achieve population goals 

 Through a combination of the following course activities, students will: 

• Integrate attributes of population demography, genetics, and species-specific husbandry into a single coherent management plan

• Use population management software and available data to conduct analyses that describe a population's past history and project its future course

• Set attainable goals for a captive population in relation to target population size, growth rate, generation length, amount of gene diversity retained, etc.

• Work with others in the course to formulate animal-by-animal recommendations as a critical aspect of management plan development

• Understand the role of an AZA program leader and how that program leader works with the Population Management Center or a Small Population Management Group Advisor to manage their animal program

Monday
 - Student name badge pick-up 4:30-6:30 PM
 - Opening reception 6:30-7:00 PM
 - Course meets for opening session 7:00-8:30 PM 

Mid-Week
- Class meets all-day

Saturday
- Class meets through mid-afternoon 

Attendance is required for course participants for the duration of the course until the evening of the last day. As a result, individuals generally depart the following day. Attendees will receive a detailed schedule for their course after their registration is confirmed.

John Andrews, Assistant Director - AZA PMC - Lincoln Park Zoo
Rachel Bladow, Population Biologist - AZA PMC - Lincoln Park Zoo 
Andrea Putnam, Ph.D. - Population Biologist - Dallas Zoo
Steven Sarro, (Retired) Curator - Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Kristine Schad Eebes, Director - AZA PMC - Lincoln Park Zoo 

This course is designed for current and prospective Species Survival Plan® (SSP) coordinators and Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) Leaders who desire to understand the biology and process behind making breeding recommendations. Priority is given to current Program Leaders and AZA members. International applicants and those not affiliated with an AZA-accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis;  please submit a letter describing your intended benefit from taking this course to azatraining@aza.org. 

Prerequisites
Population Management I. Applicants must submit an institutional letter of support, written by a supervisor or director (submitted to azatraining@aza.org). The letter must include: the studbook(s) which the applicant keeps or has applied to keep; an expression of institutional support for keeping the studbook(s) and the date of when Population Management I was completed. International applicants working in an AZA-accredited institution are also welcome to apply. Those not affiliated with an AZA-accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis; please submit a letter describing your intended benefit from taking this course.

Air Travel
Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the closest airport, and is about 12 miles away from The National. 

Lodging

Course participants stay at The National Conference Center in Leesburng, Virginia, and classes meet on-site. All lodging reservations are priced per person at a package rate. Your accommodations will include breakfast, lunches, dinners, and snacks throughout the entirety of your stay. 

The National Conference Center does require a daily rate for local students who are not staying on site. If you are a local student and need to learn more about the daily rate, or have inquiries about lodging, please contact azatraining@aza.org.

Single Occupancy Rate*:

·       $269.00/night, plus tax

*Rates are all-inclusive and per single-occupancy room. Rooms are single occupancy only. Rate includes: 

o   Single occupancy room

o   Meals - starts with dinner on the day you check-in and ends with lunch on the day you check-out

o   Complimentary wi-fi

o   Complimentary fitness center

Course activities begin on Monday evening, February 12 and the course ends on Saturday evening, February 17. Attendees should plan to depart on Sunday morning, February 18.

Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will receive an email containing detailed information regarding your accommodations and transportation once you are admitted.

Registration for this course is now closed.

The registration fees below cover tuition. Other expenses include hotel, travel, and meals. Registration prices are subject to change each year. Notification of acceptance/wait list status will be sent to registrants after the Early Bird deadline. 

AZA Accredited / Certified Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: Deadline 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1125 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1325 without Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1325 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1525 without Individual AZA Membership

*This pricing is for anyone currently employed at an AZA accredited/certified institution. Individual Membership must be Professional Affiliate or Professional Fellow to qualify. Not a member? Join first to receive the deepest discount. Once your membership is processed, you can then register at the lowest rate. Contact membership@aza.org for any questions.

Non-AZA Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: Deadline 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1325 with Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1525 with Individual AZA Membership

*This pricing is for anyone who is not currently employed at an AZA accredited/certified institution. Individual Membership must be Professional Associate to qualify. Not a member? Join first to receive the deepest discount. Once your membership is processed, you can then register at the lowest rate. Contact membership@aza.org for any questions.

Registration prices are subject to change.

For information regarding our registration and refund policies, please visit our Professional Development Course Policies page. Accepted forms of payment for registration are by credit card, check, or purchase order. 

To register with a credit card
You may now register and pay online with a credit card. After logging in, choose "Professional Development" from the menu on the left. Next, click on the title of the event for which you would like to register. Finally, choose "Event Registration" from the options at the top and complete the registration process. You will receive an acceptance email or waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made. 

To register with a check or purchase order
Please email your request to register, specifying the course and the name of whom you would like to register, to the Professional Development Coordinator.
Checks sent for course payment will be cashed immediately upon receipt as per standard business practices. Cashing your check does not indicate that you have been accepted into a course. You will receive an acceptance email or a waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made. If you are not admitted into the course from the waitlist, a full refund will be promptly issued.

*Prices are subject to change