Awards

In 2025, MUZOO was awarded the prestigious Meyvaert Prize for Environmental Sustainability, a European award that recognizes museums particularly committed to preserving the environment.

This award is in recognition of the remarkable work carried out by MUZOO, a unique venue that brings together a natural history museum and a zoological park on the same site. Thanks to this integrated approach, MUZOO offers an original educational experience focusing on the relationship between man and nature.

The institution is renowned for its commitment to biodiversity, through concrete actions to raise awareness, conserve and welcome local wildlife. Among its flagship initiatives is a care station for wild animals, which each year takes in several hundred injured or distressed animals, some of which are then reintroduced into their natural habitat.

MUZOO also develops exhibits and educational activities that invite the public to gain a better understanding of current environmental issues. Its immersive, responsible approach makes it an inspiring example in the European museum landscape.

The award of the Meyvaert Prize in 2025 testifies to the recognition of this innovative and sustainable approach, and positions MUZOO as a benchmark in committed museology.

2025: Prix Réseau romand science et cité

Each year, the Réseau romand science et cité awards a prize for the development of a culture of citizen science in French-speaking Switzerland.

In 2025, MUZOO is a co-winner with Onl’fait, Geneva’s FabLab!

Pupils from the ESPACE school, a collective place of learning and exchange for people from a migrant background, will be tackling the issue of animal otherness.
Entitled Ah!Nimal, the aim of the project is to produce educational activities thanks to the impetus of the pupils.

2023: Prix Expo (SCNAT), for the “Plan B” exhibition

In 2023, MUZOO was awarded the Prix Expo by the Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences for its Plan B permanent exhibition. This award recognizes exhibitions that combine scientific rigor, originality and accessibility for the general public.

Plan B takes a creative approach to the issues surrounding the loss of biodiversity, combining humor, clarity and interactivity. The immersive, contemporary scenography incorporates views of the zoo’s live animals, reinforcing the link between scientific content and real-life experience.

This award recognizes MUZOO’s teamwork and confirms its major role in raising environmental awareness through innovative and committed museography.

2012: Prix Expo (SCNAT) “Long-term commitment” award

In 2012, the Natural History Museum of La Chaux-de-Fonds was awarded the Expo “Long-term Commitment” Prize by the Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences. The award recognizes the Museum’s long-term commitment to raising environmental awareness, which it has pursued for almost 170 years, despite limited resources.

The institution stands out for its original exhibitions and numerous educational activities, such as “Nuit de la chouette” (owl night) and “Ciné-nature” (nature film), which bring the public closer to nature and break down prejudices.

This recognition recognizes the value of the museum’s collective work and enables it to pursue its projects to enrich future exhibitions.