People’s impact on the world's ecosystems is profound. As human actions destroy or degrade habitats, species diversity and the complex relationships among species are threatened, impacting all living things – including humans. Aquariums and zoos have the responsibility to increase public awareness of these issues and to implement conservation action programs.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore promotes conservation through:
- Education focused on conservation and environmental issues as well as actions the public, staff and volunteers can undertake to effect change;
- Research and action projects designed to restore, protect and manage critical species or ecosystems; and
- Breeding programs for threatened or endangered species and monitoring of natural populations.
The Aquarium’s conservation activities focus on three major initiatives:
Chesapeake Bay Initiative: The Chesapeake Bay is one of the world’s largest estuaries. It provides essential habitat for juvenile fish, waterfowl, mammals and invertebrates, such as herons, otters, oysters and blue crabs, yet the health of this vital natural resource is threatened. Since its designation by Coastal America as the Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center for the Chesapeake region in 1997, the Aquarium has intensified efforts to educate visitors about the Bay and to encourage public involvement in conservation activities, through activities such as wetland restoration and clean-up projects and providing summer employment and internship opportunities for college students.
Ocean Health Initiative: Despite their immensity, the world’s oceans are fragile ecosystems, increasingly imperiled by decades of abuse. Over-fishing, pollution and habitat disturbance continue to take their toll on individual marine species and entire ecosystems. The Aquarium’s Ocean Health Initiative includes the Marine Animal Rescue Program, which actively protects and conserves specific habitats and species through marine animal rescue and outreach efforts that raise public awareness about ocean health issues.
Global Biodiversity Initiative: Of all the Earth’s ecosystems, rain forests and coral reefs exhibit the greatest levels of biodiversity. They are also among the most delicate. The Aquarium has developed programs and exhibits that provide visitors opportunities to learn about these fascinating environments and works in cooperation with local organizations to support efforts that protect these rich environments.
Through several action-based programs, the Aquarium’s goal is to foster awareness, inspire leadership and promote stewardship of aquatic habitats.
