AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Employer and Business Awards
• 2012 AZA Top Honor Award for Excellence in Marketing for the “Real Fan Days” marketing campaign
• 2012 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence
• 2012 Diversity Spirit Achievement Award presented by The Diversity Recruiters Network and City Career Fair Productions
• 2011 LaGrange Area District Special Education (LADSE) award for Good Works Program
• 2009 Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) Best of Business Award (zoological garden category)
• Westside Ministers’ Coalition – Best Employer Award – 2009
• 2009 LaGrange Area District Special Education (LADSE) award
• 2009 Recycling Hero Award – Illinois Recycling Association
• 2009 Westside Jobs Collaborative and Business Human Resource Center Employer of the Year
• Oak Park and River Forest High School Work Experience Program 2008-2009 (for employment of the disabled)
• 2008 Illinois Department of Human Services – Distinguished Service Award (for employment of people with disabilities) – October, 2008
• Westside Ministers’ Coalition – Best Employer Award – November, 2008
• 2008 Westside Job Collaborative and Business and Human Resource Center – Employer of the Year
• West Cook County Solid Waste Agency - Outstanding Business/Workplace Waste Reduction and Recycling Award
• 2005 LaGrange Area District Special Education (LADSE) award for Students Futures Now
• 2005 Aspire Community Partnership Award
• 2004 LaGrange Area District Special Education (LADSE) award for Good Works Program
• 2009 Kentico Website of the Year Award
• 2000-2003 LaGrange Area District Special Education (LADSE) Vocational Alliance Autism Project recognition

Animal Care, Exhibitry, Education and Conservation Achievement Awards
• 2012 AZA Significant Achievement award for Excellence in Education for the “Centers for Science Excellence” program
• 2012 Certified Nature Explore Classroom (Hamill Family Play Zoo)
• 2011 AZA Award for Significant Achievement in Education for Nature Start: Early Childhood Nature Program
• 2011 AZA Award for Significant Achievement in Marketing for Go Eye to Eye at Great Bear Wilderness
• 2010 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) - North American Conservation Award for our Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
• 2009 Illinois Recycling Association Award
• Illinois Association of Museums Platinum Anniversary Award
• 2009 AZA Education Award for the Levels of Engagement program
• 2008 AZA Edward H. Bean Award for the Goeldi’s monkey program
• 2005 AZA Education Significant Achievement Award for Every Student is a Scientist
• 2003 AZA Education Award for “To Save a Species: Managing a Captive Population Program
• 2001 AZA Significant Achievement Award for Betampona Ruffed Lemur release and conservation program
• 2001 AZA Significant Achievement Award for long-term propagation and management of the Okapi
• 1999 AZA Edward H. Bean Award for the long-term propagation of Tanagers
• 1998 The Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibitry Award for “The Living Coast” exhibit
• AZA Recognition Award for leadership and continued support of the AZA Population Management Center
• 1997 American Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) recognition of the Zoo Adventure Passport (ZAP) Program
• AZA Zoo Biology Recognition Award
• 1995 Outstanding Recycling Award – Illinois Recycling Association
• 1993 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Certificate of Recognition in appreciation of outstanding contributions to America’s natural and cultural resources
• 1989 AZA Significant Achievement Award for propagation of Goeldi’s monkey
• 1981 AZA Significant Achievement Award for artificial insemination of Lowland Gorilla
• 1997 AZA Significant Achievement Award for “The Swamp: The Wonders of Our Wetlands” exhibit
• 1994 AZA Significant Achievement Award for “Habitat Africa: Phase 1” exhibit
• 1987 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Reticulated Giraffe
• 1987 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Grant’s Zebra
• 1986 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Golden Lion Tamarin
• 1985 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Siberian Ibex
• 1984 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Wisent
• 1982 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Goeldi’s Monkey
• 1980 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Beisa Oryx
• 1980 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Sitatunga
• 1980 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Addax
• 1980 AZA Propagator’s Certificate in recognition of sustained captive breeding of Goeldi’s Monkey
• 1979 AZA Significant Achievement Award for its conservation program of Goeldi’s monkeys
• 1975 AZA Exhibit Achievement Award – “Saharan Predator” Exhibit
• 1974 AZA Edward H. Bean Award for the hatching of Hinge-back Tortoise
• 1970 AZA Edward H. Bean Award for the Green Crested Basilisk
• 1966 AZA Edward H. Bean Award for the most notable birth of Phillipine Tarsier
• 1961 AZA Citation for remarkable achievement for the birth of Dall sheep
• 1959 AZA Citation for remarkable achievement – 1st birth of Okapi in the New World

Community and Other Awards
• 2011 – Hamill Family Play Zoo at Brookfield Zoo recognized by Chicago Magazine as the Best of Chicago 2011 for Kids
• 2011 - Recognized by Chicago Magazine as one of the Best 80 Places in Chicago
• 2009 Community Partner of the Year from the Fuller Park Neighborhood Development Corporation
• 2009 Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks Award – Best Day Camp
• 2007 National Medal for Museum Service, presented by the Institute for Museum and Library Services at the White House January, 2008
• 2005 Partner for Clean Air Appreciation Award
• 1999 American Heart Associate WALK Appreciation Award
• 1999-2000 HSHS Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program Appreciation Award
• 1997 American Heart Association Recognition Award
• LaGrange Area District Special Education (LADSE)– Essential Piece Appreciation recognition
• Governor Jim Edgar recognition - Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Visionary Leadership in Nurturing the Abilities of Young Researchers Through Support of Students and Their Mentors