Our Conservation Efforts
Our Commitment
The Florida Aquarium is a non-profit organization committed to saving marine wildlife. The environmental challenges affecting our planet, our only home, are complex, widespread, and primarily human-induced, but solvable if we all work together.
We utilize a science-based, impact-driven approach to lead our internationally recognized Conservation Programs which have a demonstrated positive impact on marine wildlife. Our guest experiences and conservation messaging are designed to demonstrate how people are a part of nature, create an understanding that we hold the solutions, and engage our guests in measurable conservation action.
Saving marine wildlife is our shared purpose.
Ten Ways the Ocean Supports Humans
The ocean is vital for human survival by regulating climate, producing oxygen, and providing health benefits, food, and economic opportunities.
Oxygen Production
About 50% of the air we breathe comes from the oceans.
Carbon Regulation
Blue carbon ecosystems like mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes help control atmospheric CO2 levels.
Carbon Storage
Mangroves can store up to four times more CO2 per area than rainforests.
Respiratory Health
Salty ocean air can relieve asthma, bronchitis, and allergy symptoms.
Skin Benefits
Seawater’s minerals detoxify and hydrate the skin while reducing inflammation.
Relaxation
High magnesium levels in seawater help calm the nervous system.
Water Purification
Coral reefs filter and purify water for marine life.
Medicinal Use
Coral organisms produce compounds that are used in cancer and viral treatments.
Food Source
Reef systems provide the spawning, nursery, and feeding grounds needed to provide protein sources for billions of people.
Economic Impact
U.S. fisheries support 2.3 million jobs and generate $321 billion in sales.
Healthy Habitats = Healthy Humans
The health of our oceans is directly connected to the well-being of all species, including humans. Oceans, and the species living in them, play crucial roles, such as generating the air we breathe, absorbing the carbon dioxide we produce, yielding foods we eat, and providing life-saving medicines we need.
Healthy oceans are essential for healthy humans. What benefits the environment also benefits us.
Humans are a part of nature, not apart from it.
Safeguarding Wildlife = Safeguarding Ourselves
Nearly all wildlife populations now require some level of management for their protection. The Florida Aquarium provides the strongest level of protection for many threatened and endangered species such as corals, sea turtles, radiated tortoises, sharks, rays, and African penguins.
Science-based collaborative conservation efforts have a demonstrated positive impact on marine wildlife.
We have the ability to build our own positive future.
Human Induced = Human Solved
Our environmental challenges are mainly caused by humans and too complex for any single organization to solve on its own. The Florida Aquarium uses a collaborative conservation approach to enhance our expertise, leverage our partnerships, and engage our audiences all to maximize our ability to protect and restore marine wildlife.
Widespread issues require widespread solutions. Each of us is responsible for improving our home, one step at a time.
We hold the solutions.
Sustainable Practices = Sustainable Us
Incorporating sustainable choices into our daily lives is easier than it seems. Environmentally friendly practices at home and work can encourage others to live sustainably. Intentional purchasing and voting decisions help advance sustainable business practices, providing healthier environments and conserving resources for future generations. The Florida Aquarium eliminated the sale of single-use plastic beverage bottles in 2023 and pledges to operate as a zero-waste facility by 2030, ultimately hoping to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
Together, we can make an ocean of difference.
One Goal. Multiple Initiatives.
At The Florida Aquarium, we’re taking a multifaceted approach to achieving our shared purpose of saving marine wildlife. Take a deeper look at our conservation efforts to learn more.
Make a Difference
How You Can Help
Become a Volunteer
Want to help care for patients at our Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, clean baby corals at our Coral Conservation and Research Center, or pitch in at a shoreline clean-up event? There’s something for everyone at The Florida Aquarium!
Contribute Through Research
We support, facilitate, and conduct purpose-focused research that has scientific merit, rigor, defensibility, and need; aids in the conservation of species and ecosystems; improves animal husbandry and welfare; adds to the scientific knowledge of the species in our care; and forwards our guest experience and education impacts.
Support our Conservation Work
Your contribution to The Florida Aquarium helps fund important conservation work, including sea turtle rehabilitation, Florida’s Coral Reef restoration, and threatened species care and protection. Each and every gift helps our organization save marine wildlife.
All sea turtle rehabilitation work conducted by The Florida Aquarium is done with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission under conditions not harmful to marine turtles and authorized under conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-25-179.