For over 50 years the role of zoos and aquariums has been defined by the pillars of Conservation, Education, Research, and Recreation (Conway 1969). 

This 'pillars' model is now outdated and fails to reflect the multifaceted range of services that zoos and aquariums currently provide. Without full recognition of these wide-ranging roles, zoos remain undervalued and their contribution towards the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals may be under-represented. 

A zoo/aquarium, or zoos/aquariums collectively, can be placed in the centre of the sphere with their level of influence radiating out from low to high. 

There are 10 sections where impact is measured (Species & Habitat Conservation, Education & Training, Scientific Research, Public Health & Well-being, Sustainability, Indigenous People & Local Communities (IP & LC), Diversity Equity Access & Inclusion (D.E.A.I.), Conservation Finance, Economy, and Policy). 

Within each section, the work of zoos and aquaria can be assessed at local, national and international levels and at low medium and high impact.

In addition, there is a core set of values (based around international guidelines and zoo licencing requirements) which zoos and aquariums should be fulfilling as standard.

The model is generated based on an organisations' responses to the Zoo Sphere Assessment Matrix. Each criterion relates to a section within the model. If a organisation can evidence fulfilling that criterion, it will appear as a section on the model. Models can be generated as existing baseline (i.e., what the organisation is currently achieving) or as forecasts (what the organisation hopes to achieve following implementation of their conservation master planning).

Zoos can generate their own sphere of influence by completing the assessment process. This is available as a PDF Self-Assessment Pack or through the online tool. 

Zoos/ aquariums must register for a log-in to be able to generate and save their own models. To request a free log-in for your organisation contact sarah@spoonerconsult.com

Regardless of how the assessment is conducted, we strongly recommend that responses are entered into the online tool as this will generate a digital version of the model which can be downloaded and used by your organisation. 

We do not expect that every organisation will be strong in all areas of the model. The model is designed to identify strengths and weaknesses. Weaker areas can then be addressed as part of an organisations' conservation planning. Alternatively organisations can partner with other zoos and aquariums to collectively fulfil a wider range of criteria, thereby encouraging mentoring and collaboration.

The assessment is conducted by the organisation themselves (self-assessment). We encourage organisations to be honest with their responses and to consider what evidence they would use to demonstrate completing the criterion.

We suggest that zoos/aquariums consider basing their assessment on events that have taken place within the past 5 years, e.g., considering the number of field projects, academic publications, access events that have taken place within this period. 

Responses that are submitted through the online tool are stored anonymously and the data used to create benchmarks of zoo and aquarium impact at national and international levels. We anticipate a future function of the tool will be allowing individual organisations to compare themselves against national benchmarks, or against zoos of a similar size.