Conservation and Research at The Florida Aquarium

1
Conservation and Research at The Florida Aquarium
2
Conservation and Research Goals

• Leadership role on challenges facing Florida
  aquatic ecosystems
• Captive animal health
• Field studies
• Educate through exhibits and programming
• Facilitate cooperative efforts
• Address local, regional, and international
  concerns

3
Advisory Board

• Provide technical support and guidance to ensure
  scientific credibility
• Recommend projects
• Facilitate partnerships and funding opportunities

4
Programs

• Division of Aquatic Animal Health
• Division of Aquatic Ecosystems
• Division of Scientific Diving

5

• Inspiring conservation through greater
  understanding and involvement with our aquatic
  habitats

6
Center for Conservation

• Combining research and rehabilitation programs to
  support aquatic animal health, preserve
  ecosystems, and build scientific knowledge.
• Division of
• Aquatic Animal Health
• Aquatic Ecosystems
• Scientific Diving

7
Division of Aquatic Animal Health

• Expanding knowledge in a new frontier of
  veterinary medicine

8
Prevention, Intervention
9
Sandtiger Shark Spinal Problems
10
North American River Otter Rehabilitation and
Breeding Studies
11
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
12
Marine Mammal Stranding
13
Division of Aquatic Ecosystems

• Looking at the bigger picture, restoring habitats
  and assessing animal populations

14
Fantasy Island
15
Marine Mammal Photo ID
16
Syngnathid Propagation and Field Studies
17
Guyana, South America
18
Division of Scientific Diving

• Investigating Floridas flora, fauna, and history
  using our team of trained scientific divers

19
Little Salt Spring
20
Mapping the Bottom Tampa Bay
21
Other Dive Projects

• Red Tide Surveys
• Reef Fish Surveys
• Removal of non-native species
• Deep dives (250)
• USS Monitor
• Queen of Nassau
• Deep reef restoration

22

• Dedicated to the health and
  restoration of the worlds coral reefs

23
Coral Propagation Facility Coral Farm
24
Fragmentation, Culture and Health Certification
25
Transplantation and Restoration
26
Grants

• Grants
• Association of Zoological Veterinarians/Mazuri
  Grant, 2007
• Historical Resources Grant, Florida Department of
  State, 2005, 2006
• Florida Wildlife Initiatives Grant, 2005, 2006
• Spurlino Foundation Grant, 2006, 2007
• Caribbean Conservation Corps, 2004, 2005
• Southwest Florida Water Management District
  Community Education Grant, 2005
• National Wildlife Foundation, 2002
• Jacarlene Foundation Grant, 1997, 1998, 2000,
  2004, 2006, 2007
• Gardinier Settlement Trust Fund, 2000, 2002
• SeaGrant, 1997, 1999

27
Awards

• Coral
• NOAA Coastal America Partnership Award, 2007
• Fantasy Island
• American Association of Port Authorities
  Environmental Improvement Award, 2007
• Florida Native Plant Society Award, 2004
• Tampa Bay Regional Planning Award, 2004
• Gulf Guardian Award, 2002

28
(No Transcript)
29
How You Can Help
30
The Florida Aquariums Education Department

• Opening eyes to the world outside

31
Who are we?Education By the Numbers

• In addition to daily programs for over 600,000
  visitors, we now reach over 100,000 students of
  all ages annually

• Over 80,000 children on-site
• Over 20,000 through outreach
• 1,000 teachers through workshops

32
In our catalogs, you will find
33
On-Site School Programs
34
Outreach and Field Programs
35
Teacher Workshops
36
Camps
37
Tots Programs
38
Homeschool and Family Programs
39
Scout Programs
40
Birthday Parties and Sleepovers
41
Behind the scenes, beyond the catalogs
42
Sponsored Admissions
Academy Prep
43
Art-O-Fishal Fun!
44
ROCSRegional Oceans Conference for Students
45
Coastal AmericaCoastal Ecosystem
Learning Center
Ocean Art Contest
46
National Student Ocean Conferences
Robinson High School Delegation with Chairman for
Council on Environmental Quality James L.
Connaughton
47
Fish in Classrooms
48
Special On-Site Programs/Events
Girl Scout Splash
Homeowner Associations Wetlands Workshops
Childrens Cancer Center Party
49
Volunteers and Interns
50
Visitor Interpretive Programs
51
Local, Statewide and National Education Leaders

• Collaboration with the University of South
  Florida for Certificate in Informal Science
• Statewide Marine Science Teacher Education
  Workshops (Panhandle to the Keys)
• State Committee on Environmental Education
  (SCENE)
• Florida Marine Science Educators Association
  (FMSEA)
• Project TRIPS Selected as a national leader by
  the Wildlife Conservation Society, now providing
  annual summer workshops in inquiry-based learning
• School Development / Improvement Partners (e.g.,
  DeSoto Elementary)

52
Recent Grants

• Bank of America Charitable Foundation
• The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation
• Dorr Foundation
• GE Foundation
• Institute of Museum and Library Services
• JPMorgan Chase Foundation
• PetCare Trust
• The Saunders Foundation
• Southwest Florida Water Management District
• Tampa Bay Estuary Program
• Triad Foundation
• Verizon Foundation
• Wachovia Bank

Bayside Field Studies, made possible by the GE
Foundation
53
Recent Awards/Recognition

• 2009 Nominated by Senator Martinez, National
  Medal for Museum Service
• 2008 IMLS Publication Releases (2) recognizing
  The Florida Aquarium as providing exemplary youth
  programming
• 2007/2008 Participated on advisory committee
  for Smithsonian Institutions Ocean Hall Oceans
  Today kiosk to open in September, 2008 in
  Washington DC
• 2007 Invited to represent informal science in
  Florida on two prestigious ongoing committees
  Gulf of Mexico Alliance Environmental Education
  Network and Gulf Coast Ocean Observation Systems
  Education and Outreach Council
• 2006 Coastal America Partnership Award for
  National Aquatic Invasive Species Toolkit Team
  (AZA Project)
• 2005 Invited as one of only two informal
  science education institutions to participate in
  the statewide Florida Summit on Mathematics
  Science (an initiative endorsed by the Florida
  Department of Education)

54

• To entertain, educate, and inspire stewardship
  about our natural environment.