Dear National Aquarium Community,
This week we shared with our employees the news of a strategic restructuring that will take effect January 1, 2027.
We've designed this new structure to ensure the Aquarium remains sustainable and resilient, the animals in our care continue to thrive, and we are able to connect people with nature for generations to come.
The new organizational design includes shifts to department structure, key responsibilities, titles, the addition of several newly created positions, as well as the elimination of 30 current positions.
Of course, any change to our workforce has a ripple effect; these are our people, our neighbors, our friends, and we are committed to supporting them through this transition.
There are a number of reasons we've come to the decision to restructure our organization. We are facing the same economic challenges as other organizations in the region and across the United States. Materials, services, and utilities all cost more, while operating revenue growth has not increased at the same pace.
The Aquarium is now 45-years-old, and we face increasing expenses to maintain and improve our campus, experience and complicated systems. Our facilities are operating 24 hours per day as we are home to over 10,000 animals, habitats that comprise over 2.2 million gallons of water, and welcome approximately 1.2 million guests per year.
We are a private nonprofit organization that does not receive ongoing dedicated federal, state or city funding to support our operations. Around 70% of our operating revenue comes from visitor experiences. Your visit to the National Aquarium, ongoing membership, and/or annual donation directly funds the care of our animal population, provides children with science education, and supports the dedicated team of people who make it all possible.
Over 45 years, the National Aquarium has weathered natural disasters, a global pandemic, and major changes in our industry and our city. As our world around us changes, we must evolve.
What will never change is our commitment to you. We will continue to create educational and enjoyable visitor experiences, inspire our neighbors to care for animals and the ocean planet, and provide strong economic impact for the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland.
The new organizational design supports longevity and forges a strong path forward for the National Aquarium in fulfilling its mission to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet.
We remain deeply grateful for your support.
Thank you,
Jennifer Driban
President & CEO
National Aquarium