Dear Friends,
Our 25th anniversary year was a time to celebrate, and also to reflect on a quarter century of connecting people to the aquatic world. While the challenges to our marine ecosystems have grown since the National Aquarium in Baltimore opened its doors in 1981, our dedication and resolve to spark stewardship has not. Behind the glass, the National Aquarium in Baltimore is now home to 16,000 amazing animals. Beyond the glass, the Aquarium has connected people locally to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and globally to other critical aquatic habitats through education programs and work in the field.
This year was also a time of notable milestones. After exhaustive preparations for a week-long inspection, the Aquarium was once again accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, confirming that we adhere to high standards of animal care and display. Volunteers provided an unprecedented level of service (more than 113,000 hours); and the Marine Animal Rescue Program rehabilitated and released its 75th stranded animal back to its ocean habitat.
These successes — and the many others described in this report — demonstrate that the Aquarium has evolved over the last quarter century, beyond its critical early role as an economic engine for the City. Today, we continue to take great pride in attracting millions of visitors to the region but also in serving our community as a cultural resource, an aquatic education center, and a steward of the environment.
Your support remains vital to our cause. With your help, we can continue to delight, engage, and educate our visitors. We are deeply grateful to all the friends, partners, and donors who have given their support during our first
25 years.
Thank you.
David M. Pittenger
Executive Director
Timothy C. Scheve
Chairman of the Board
