Beth Firchau

As AZA SAFE Coral program manager at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Beth Firchau combines purpose, science, and passion to inspire a whole sector to tackle one of the most pressing environmental crises of our time: the decline of coral reef ecosystems.

She started her career in 1990 as a special needs education programme coordinator, and a year later took on the roles of marine aquarist and dive operations supervisor at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio. She joined AZA in the same month she was hired full-time. Over her 32-year career as a professional aquarist, public aquarium curator, and director of husbandry at several AZA-accredited facilities, she has actively supported AZA through various leadership roles on board-appointed committees and taxon advisory groups.

In 2018, under her guidance and in partnership with state and federal agencies, AZA launched the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project (FRTRP), a pioneering, multi-species coral rescue operation. This initiative protected thousands of coral specimens from imminent loss and also established a foundation for a national network of coral care facilities. These institutions have become centres of scientific progress, long-term coral banking, and restoration planning.

What distinguishes Firchau is her capacity to unite diverse stakeholders—government agencies, NGOs, aquariums, and scientists—into a cohesive, action-oriented coalition. Her efforts have prompted a shift in how public aquariums approach conservation: from passive education to active ecosystem restoration.

Firchau is a dedicated champion of capacity building, mentoring the next generation of conservation professionals and promoting a culture of shared learning and transparency. Her presentations, including "Public Aquariums Creating Conservation Impact Together,” demonstrate her commitment to collective action and measurable outcomes.