Conservation

Through transforming experiences, the National Aquarium inspires people to enjoy, respect, and protect the aquatic world.

Conservation Initiatives
With a passion for stewardship, it maintains a strong commitment to the environment and conservation, and to the health of Earth’s oceans and aquatic habitats.  In pursuit of these ideals, the National Aquarium in Washington, DC is

• Leading efforts to study the invasive lion fish problem in the Caribbean along with partners the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Spearheading a consortium of public aquariums focused on coral reef conservation in the Bahamas
• Participating in conservation efforts to study, preserve, and protect the hellbender, North America’s largest salamander
• Ensuring that it acquires its aquatic inhabitants through sustainable collecting practices and by utilizing ecologically friendly vendors

Conservation Education
The National Aquarium provides a variety of short classes and workshops for visiting school groups, helping youth to explore, discover, question, and marvel at the amazing cycles of life beneath the sea.  By understanding that our water world is amazing, precious, but also fragile, children can become guardians of its health and resourceful trustees of this ocean planet.

Educators find a valuable teaching resource at the National Aquarium.  Through such programs as Aquatic and Marine Science for Today’s Classroom Teacher (a stipend-based program supported by the Toyota USA Foundation) District of Columbia public and charter school teachers can advance their own understanding of marine habitats that help to sustain life on Earth. 

The Aquarium welcomes teachers and school groups and encourages early reservations for such visits.  School groups from the District gain free admission with reservations. Visitation dates may be arranged with the Director of Education at 202-482-0852.