National Aquarium

The National Aquarium opened in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1981 as a nonprofit aquatic education and conservation organization, the jewel of the city’s Inner Harbor redevelopment. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures, it is considered one of the nation’s top three aquaria and has served more than 40 million guests since its opening.

Our living collection includes over 17,000 animals from more than 750 species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals residing in award-winning, naturalistic habitats. Our reach extends beyond Aquarium walls as well. Education programs reach thousands of students each year with activities in schools and in the field, in addition to the more than 70,000 Maryland schoolchildren who visit the Aquarium free of charge every year. The Aquarium’s Conservation team and volunteers restore habitats and preserve species throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed and around the world.

Today, the Aquarium builds on a 30-year history of both local and global conservation initiatives to make a difference for species and ecosystems around the world. Through our National Aquarium Animal Rescue program, we directly engage in the rescue, care and rehabilitation of marine mammals and turtles. In addition, we participate in important research efforts to confront pressing ocean conservation issues, and in partnership with local, state and federal governments, to advocate for smarter policies. Whether through education, research, conservation action or advocacy, National Aquarium programs provide practical solutions for protecting marine life, our coasts and our oceans.

As the nation’s aquarium, the organization is dedicated to promoting science-based conservation action to address critical issues that impact marine and coastal ecosystems. With more than 1,000 volunteers and 100,000 members, the National Aquarium is focused on changing the way humanity views and cares for the ocean and aquatic systems by instilling a sense of urgency around protecting the planet’s life support system.