In 2023, the National Aquarium at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor promoted conservation, educated learners of all ages, and generated millions of dollars for the region, according to the institution’s 2023 impact report.
In March, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent accreditation commission renewed the National Aquarium’s accreditation through 2028.
The aquarium’s Animal Rescue and Animal Health teams admitted and cared for 79 rescued animals. Of those animals, 35 have been returned to the ocean, including 34 sea turtles and one seal.
Construction kicked off in November on the aquarium’s newest exhibit, “Harbor Wetland.” The free outdoor exhibit, which is slated to open in 2024, will feature a recreated salt marsh habitat between Piers 3 and 4 at the Inner Harbor.
Also that month, the National Aquarium opened its Stranding Response Center in Ocean City, which will allow staff to more quickly respond to animals in need and provide critical triage and treatment space.
Last year, the institution advocated for limiting single-use products; hosted plantings at Virginia Beach in Virginia, Nassawango Creek Preserve near Snow Hill, and Leon Day Park in Baltimore City; and hosted cleanups at Masonville Cove, the Fort McHenry wetland, and Ocean City, Maryland.
The aquarium worked to ensure Maryland’s POWER Act would require considerations for wildlife and monitoring during the facilities’ construction and operation. The Maryland General Assembly passed act with the goal of generating 8.5 gigawatts of offshore wind power for Maryland by 20231, improving labor standards for offshore wind energy, and reducing emissions to help the state attain its climate goals.
The aquarium also continued to advocate for the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act, which seeks to establish a federal funding source for organizations that rescue and rehabilitate endangered sea turtles. The House bill unanimously advanced out of committee in October.
The aquarium partnered with the SEA LIFE Trust in Great Britain and the Whale Sanctuary Project in Canada to develop guidelines for marine mammal sanctuaries. Those guidelines have been reviewed and approved by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. It is part of the aquarium’s work to establish North America’s first dolphin sanctuary.
The National Aquarium also collaborated with the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to co-host the 2023 Greater Atlantic Regional Stranding Conference in Delaware in September.
Experts from the U.S., Canada, and the Bahamas gathered at the aquarium in October to discuss sustaining jellyfish populations and the scientists who study them.
From 2019 to 2022, the aquarium generated $1.3 million in economic impact statewide, or $430 million annually. In that same period, the aquarium generated $109 million in state and local tax revenue, or $36 million annually. The aquarium also supports 3,400 jobs and welcomes more than 1.2 million guests each year, according to the report.
It is also a major draw for tourists, with four in five visitors coming to the aquarium from outside the Baltimore region. The aquarium reports that it is responsible for $1 out of every $6 in Baltimore City tourism-related spending.
Last year, the aquarium’s education programs served 85,000 students prekindergarten through 12th grade students, and 50,682 students attended field trips at no cost. A total of 205 students gained experience through summer jobs, volunteer opportunities, and a work-study program.
The 20 young people who were part of the aquarium’s Henry Hall Fellowship work-study program helped plant 20 trees, which are estimated to capture and store 81,000 pounds of carbon over the next 40 years.
Signage for “Dugan’s Wharf: Site of Tilly’s Escape” was installed outside of the aquarium as part of the Network to Freedom, showcasing the history of the Underground Railroad in Baltimore.
After participating in the Read to Reef book club – a partnership with the Enoch Pratt Free Library – 12,428 young Baltimore readers and their family members were able to visit the aquarium for free. The Read to Reef reading list included “Race for the Ruby Turtle” by author Stephen Bramucci, who participated in a Writer’s Live presentation with the aquarium.
As part of Councilmember Zeke Cohen’s Field Trip Fridays initiative, the aquarium donated free tickets to eligible nonprofit organizations, allowing Baltimore City youth to visit the aquarium for free.
The after-hours, adults-only “Voyages” event series explored connection to nature and celebrated Baltimore. The series featured artists like Nicoletta Darita de la Brown; and Devon Vaow, who performs in drag as Evon Dior Michelle and who shared the stage with fellow drag performers Stealya-Manz Blue, Sapphire Starr Dupree, Virya Shavasana and Tiara Missou-Sidora.
For the fifth year, the aquarium continued its work with the Exeter Street Community Garden in Jonestown, where the Animal Care and Rescue Center is located. Together with the Helping Up Mission and Jonestown residents, the aquarium held volunteer events to plant and weed the garden, and to harvest and distribute its crops.
