For over 90 years, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been an international leader in connecting people with wildlife and nature. Our awards and recognitions are a testament to our unwavering commitment to our mission: to inspire conservation leadership. Explore the honors we've received for our animal care excellence, groundbreaking research, and impactful educational programs that extend from our 235-acre campus to conservation efforts around the globe.
2024 – Humane Certified™ by the American Humane Society
2023 – Level II Accreditation Renewal by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum
2022 – Humane Certified by the American Humane Association
2020 – Disney Conservation Heroes Awards awarded to the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program by the Disney Conservation Fund
2020 – Humane Certified by the American Humane Association
2020 – Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Special Recognition Education Award for King Conservation Leadership Academy
2019 – Zoo Camp Accreditation through 2024 by American Camp Association
2019 – Accreditation for summer camp program by National Inclusion Project
2019 – Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences - Outstanding Partnership Award
2018 – Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Top Honors Education Award for NatureStart Professional Development Program
2016 – AZA Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Top Honors for “A Zoo for All”
2016 – AZA Significant Achievement Education Award for King Conservation Science Scholars
2016 – AZA Top Honors for Exhibit Design, for Hamill Family Wild Encounters
2016 – Humane Certified by the American Humane Association
2015 – AZA Quarter Century Award recognizing Brookfield Zoo’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in animal care, welfare, management, veterinary care, conservation, education, staffing, facilities, safety, guest services, dedication to best modern zoological practices and philosophies, and more.
2015 – AZA Top Honors in International Conservation for AZA Zoos Giving a Voice to the Sahara: Sahara Conservation Fund as a model for a zoo-driven conservation movement in collaboration with St. Louis Zoo and others
2015 – AZA Significant Achievement Award in Volunteer Engagement
2015 – Aurora University - Partnership with the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School at Aurora University
2013 – AZA Angela Petersen Excellence in Diversity Award
2013 – Camp Excellence Award from the Illinois Chapter of the American Camp Association
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
1991 – AZA Significant Achievement Award for Be a Bird Program
1989 – AZA Significant Achievement Award for propagation of Goeldi’s monkey
1988 – AZA Significant Achievement Award for Connections Campaign
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
2022 – Bocaditos Restaurant - Best of Brookfield Award in the Restaurants category
2018 – Large Institution of the Year, Illinois Association of Museums
2018 – National Medal for Museum Services Finalist, Institute of Museum and Library Services
2018 – Community Partner Award - Helping Hand Center
2016 – Certificate of Appreciation - Contributions to Community OUtreach - Chicago Police Department Community Relations
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 of 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
2024 – Oak Leyden Supported Employment Program – Able and Equal Community Champion Award
2024 – IAER Community Partner Above & Beyond Award
2021 – Publicity Club of Chicago Golden Trumpet Award – COVID-19 External Response
2019 – Patriotic Employer Award – Office of the Secretary of Defense
2018 – Chicago United recognition for diversity and inclusion as a Five Forward 20/20 Committed Corporation
2017 – Visionary Partner of the Year Award presented by the Mary Crane Center
2015 – Illinois – Chicago Best of Wedding Venues presented by The Knot Magazine
2015 – West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award
2014 – ICED Non-profit Award presented by the Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities for outstanding achievements in making Brookfield Zoo accessible
2013 – AZA Top Honor Award for Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award
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 the 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 people with disabilities)
2008 – Illinois Department of Human Services – Distinguished Service Award (for employment of people with disabilities)
2008 – Westside Ministers’ Coalition – Best Employer Award
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
2004 – Kentico Website of the Year Award
2000-2003 – LaGrange Area District Special Education (LADSE) Vocational Alliance Autism Project recognition
