The Consortium of Zoos, Wildlife& Nature Sites and Aquariums came to an end at the close of 2008. This was a loose grouping of UK zoo and nature/ environmental site brought together to try to improve the overall financial landscape for our community within the UK. It was quite distinct from BIAZA, and did not have the same membership. Non BIAZA organisations such as The Eden Project and the John Aspinall Foundation for instance were members. The 15 members as of December 2008 were:
Colchester Zoo
The Deep
The Eden Project
The East Midland Zoological Society/ Twycross Zoo
John Aspinall Foundation
The Living Rainforest
Marwell Preservation Trust
National Bird of Prey Centre
North of England Zoological Society/Chester Zoo
Paignton Zoo
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
Zoological Society of London
Zoological Society of Wales
Remainder of this post refers to state of play in 2007 and 2008
The main focus is a high level dialogue with the UK Government to try to establish some new financial encouragement for the socially beneficial work of mission led nature sites, zoos, environmental sites aquaria, etc. This roots in part from a conversation between the Chancellor and Sir
Digby Jones (then Director General of the CBI), when the former asked for a proposal to boost zoos’ socio-environmental work, which he “would look upon favourably”.
The Manifesto for Zoos was duly developed (download a PDF copy and important Update Readers Notes from Johnreganassociates.com). Please note this original document was developed by the now defunct Consortium of Charitable Zoos and references only charitable zoos, but the current campaign embraces all relevant mission driven sites.
The campaign has recently moved forward with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Secretary of State for Education Alan Johnson and Biodiversity Minister Barry Gardiner all meeting with me and taking a strong interest. In addition there is direct contact with senior officials at HM Treasury. Certain draft discussion proposals for new funding are now in circulation amongst these 4 Government Departments.
In addition, the CZWA talks directly to the National CEOs of the Big Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund, and NESTA. We have dialogue with the Wellcome Trust and a number of major trusts. We generally strive to scan the horizon for funding and recognition possibilities and to widen the external funding potential for Members.
Membership of this group is potentially open to all public sites dealing with wildlife or nature conservation in the UK who are wholly or in part ‘mission driven’. The requisite contributory finance is based on annual paying visitors.
