Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is one of 219 accredited institutional members of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). AZA zoos and aquariums have undergone an amazing transformation over the past several decades, developing more comprehensive research, conservation and conservation education initiatives while maintaining a tradition as premier recreational facilities.  This transformation began in 1980 when the AZA’s Board of Directors designated conservation as the Association's number one priority.

Prior to 1980, zoos generally focused their efforts on exhibition and providing basic animal care for the individual animals in their collections. While many species reproduced in captivity, there was little inter-zoo cooperation with regard to species level population management. With conservation the Association’s stated priority, significant strides were made through the development of collaborative programs designed to support the careful management and conservation of a wider range of animals than ever before.

Note: In 1980 the AZA was known as the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA).

An AZA studbook is a true record of the history of a population held in a zoo or aquarium. It includes pedigrees of animals and a listing of the various locations in which animals have been held. The studbook traces the entire history of each individual in a population; these collective histories are known as the population's genetic and demographic identity. AZA studbooks are primarily used for monitoring and managing populations in zoos and aquariums. They provide an accurate database for particular species that allows detailed genetic and demographic analyses. For example, the data can be used to make breeding decisions so that genetic variation can be retained and close inbreeding avoided. The data can also be used to assess whether a population is stable, increasing, or decreasing in numbers. Studbooks are used in the management of Species Survival Plans (SSPs) and Population Management Plans (PMPs).

The Species Survival Plan (SSP©) emerged in 1981, providing a tool for the intensive cooperative species level management to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species.  It formed the cornerstone of the AZA's developing conservation ethic. The SSP program matured rapidly to include a wide range of activities including maintaining genetically diverse and demographically stable captive populations, public education, research, reintroduction, interaction with the academic community, and field conservation initiatives. There are currently 112 SSP programs covering 191 species of animals, ranging from snails to great apes.

The Population Management Plan (PMP) was created in 1994 to provide basic population management for various captive populations. PMPs are established for studbook populations that do not require the intensive management and conservation action of Species Survival Plans (SSPs). A PMP is directed by a population manager, who is often the approved studbook keeper. The population manager is responsible for monitoring the captive population and drawing attention to management options that will increase the genetic and demographic health of the population. Population managers use the same genetic and demographic protocols and software used for SSPs.  There are currently 312 PMPs.

The Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) was established in 1990 to assist in examining the conservation needs of entire taxonomic groups, or groups of related species. Through a process known as regional collection planning, the TAGs carry out systematic assessments of the captive space available for their respective taxa and recommend species for new studbooks (historical records of a captive species), SSPs, and other zoo and aquarium based programs. The TAGs set regional program priorities, in this case for the North American zoo community. There are now 46 TAGs covering various groups of invertebrates, amphibians, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Since 1991, twelve AZA Scientific Advisory Groups (SAGs) have been formed to help facilitate the conservation/research activities of AZA member institutions. The SAGs include a wide variety of areas of expertise including behavior and husbandry, contraception, genome banking, nutrition, research coordination, reintroduction, small population management, systematics, veterinary science, and institutional data management.

Conservation Action Partnerships (CAPs) were created in 1991 to help coordinate the conservation and science activities of AZA institutions working in various geographic regions of the world. There are now four CAPS covering Madagascar, Paraguay and Coral reefs. CAP members work actively with government wildlife agencies and non-government conservation organizations to coordinate a wide variety of conservation activities such as supporting existing national parks and reserves, educating the public, transferring technology and supplies, and much more.