Dear Friends,
Each year, we publish an annual report that encapsulates the successes of the previous year. This year, we folded our annual report into Watermarks, allowing us to share these milestones and accomplishments with all of our most vital supporters. Through membership, volunteering, or financial or in-kind donation, you have invested in the National Aquarium, and we are excited to show you what your support enabled us to accomplish in 2009.
In addition to those stories, we have something exciting and new to share. In a tough economy, the National Aquarium continues to evolve. Part of our growth has been in strengthening the relationship between our two venues in Washington and Baltimore, and this year we are proud to announce another way we are knitted together as one organization: Beginning June 1, Aquarium membership benefits will expand to include both National Aquarium venues, regardless of where members originally purchased their membership. This single membership means "Baltimore" members can freely visit our Washington venue, "Washington" members can visit the Baltimore venue, and all members are eligible for free or reduced-price events at both locations.
To help our members and supporters learn more about what we do as world-class attractions, as sought-after partners, and how we live our commitment to conservation and education, we have also begun hosting a series of casual discussions. Open to all and led by key members of our internationally recognized teams, these one-hour sessions are opportunities to learn first-hand about Aquarium initiatives. We invite you to join "Oceans of Inspiration" in Baltimore or "America's Aquatic Treasures" in Washington to learn more about your National Aquarium. See the calendar for upcoming dates and times.
Your partnership matters because it enables us to make a difference to our visitors, to the thousands of students we reach each year, and to our aquatic environment. We are grateful for your involvement and look forward to the year ahead with excitement and confidence.
Sincerely,
David M. Pittenger
Executive Director
William R. Roberts
Chairman of the Board
