Watermarks

Fall 2024

Welcome to Watermarks

Travel back in time in the latest issue of Watermarks, our digital magazine for National Aquarium members. Start in the 1850s, when abolitionist Harriet Tubman used her skills as a naturalist to navigate Maryland's Eastern Shore and guide enslaved people to freedom. Fast forward to 1981, when sloths were one of the first species to arrive at the Aquarium. We look at what we've learned over the past 43 years when it comes to tailoring care to meet sloths' unique needs. Skip ahead to 1987, when a young herpetologist named Jack Cover was hired to work in Upland Tropical Rain Forest. Lucky for us, he chose to stick around and has played an outsized role in creating every major Aquarium exhibit. In the recent past, watch the new Harbor Wetland mural take shape over several weeks earlier this year, and travel to Mobile Bay with the Aquarium's Education team and a group of Henry Hall Summer Scholars who spent a week learning there.

In This Issue

Hear about Harriet Tubman's legacy and skills as a naturalist, the evolution of sloth care at the Aquarium, the making of our new mural, General Curator Jack Cover's life and career, 17 Henry Hall Summer Scholars' experience on an Alabama barrier island, and more.

Exploring Tubman's Eastern Shore

Travel Dorchester County, Maryland, through the eyes of Harriet Tubman, who used her knowledge of stars, waterways and birds to navigate to freedom.

Learn More

Two-Toed Sloths: An Evolution of Care

Life's Work

Beyond Baltimore: Summer Camp on the Gulf

Nature as Inspiration, a Mural for Education

Exploring Tubman's Eastern Shore

In addition to being a famed abolitionist, Harriet Tubman was a skilled naturalist. She used her extensive knowledge of stars, waterways and birds to guide herself and other enslaved people to freedom through Maryland's Eastern Shore and beyond. Tubman's legacy is inextricably linked with that of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, which today faces risks from climate change.

Read About Tubman's Legacy

Evolution of Sloth Care

Linne's two-toed sloths roam Central America and northern South America—and Upland Tropical Rain Forest right here in Baltimore. With decades of experience caring for sloths, Aquarium curators have created an adaptive environment and comprehensive care plans that meet the unique needs of these treetop dwellers.

Life's Work

The list of people who have significantly shaped the National Aquarium as we know it is a short one, and there's no doubt that General Curator Jack Cover's name belongs on it. Jack first joined the Aquarium as a herpetologist in 1987 and most recently helped open Harbor Wetland. He plans to step back from his general curator role (at least full-time) at the end of this year.

President and CEO John Racanelli

"I consider myself lucky to have been able to share these past 13 years with Jack Cover at the Aquarium. His many contributions have shaped the Aquarium into the inspiring, impactful place it is today. Personally, I have learned so much from our conversations and I am beyond grateful. The simple fact is that it's thanks to your loyal, ongoing support that we can benefit from a treasure like Jack."

Summer Camp Beyond Baltimore

In August, the National Aquarium took 17 rising seventh through ninth graders to Dauphin Island, a barrier island on Mobile Bay in Alabama, to study marine science and technology. The weeklong camp was part of the Aquarium's longstanding Henry Hall Summer Scholars education program, which has a rich history of introducing students to new environments.

Great Gifts That Give Back

Give gifts this holiday that give back to the National Aquarium! An Aquarium membership is an experiential gift that lasts all year. We also offer gift tickets, Aquarium apparel and an honorary donation option.

Rescuing Madison

Dave Blazer lives in Ocean City, Maryland, and volunteers with National Aquarium Animal Rescue. He was part of the small team who rescued a unique patient—a loggerhead sea turtle seen swimming abnormally in the Choptank River. The sea turtle, nicknamed Madison, responded well to treatment and the Aquarium team returned her to the ocean earlier this year.

Loggerheads are the second largest species of sea turtle. They can be found in the Chesapeake Bay south of Baltimore from May to November.

Watch the Harbor Wetland Mural Take Shape

If you've visited National Aquarium Harbor Wetland presented by CFG Bank, no doubt you noticed the expansive new mural that serves as a beautiful backdrop to the exhibit. Watch the mural take shape and listen as Baltimore artist Nether talks about his inspiration for the artwork and what he hopes Harbor Wetland guests take from it.

Animal Updates Many Hellos and One Happy Goodbye!

The National Aquarium welcomed new visitors—including fish and reptiles—to our North Atlantic to the Pacific exhibit, Animal Care and Rescue Center (ACRC) and Atlantic Coral Reef. We also bid a fond farewell to a rescued seal sporting a fresh coat.

Cabezon, Framed by Kelp Leaves, Seen Swimming Through the Kelp Forest Exhibit
Cabezon
Close-Up of a Juvenile Mertens' Water Monitor Resting in Water With Just Its Eyes and Nose Sticking Out
Mertens' water monitor
Grey Seal Pausing in a Wave on the Shoreline During Its Release at Assateague Island National Seashore
Grey seal (Kelpie)
Green Moray Eel Sticking Its Head Out From a Rocky Crevice With Its Mouth Wide Open in the Atlantic Coral Reef Exhibit
Green moray eel

More From Past Watermarks

Animals Getting on in Years: Caring for Older Animals

Conservation The Ocean's Unsung Heroes

Conservation Gwynns Falls: West Side Story

Support the National Aquarium Together, we can change the way humanity cares for our ocean planet.