Climate Action and Conservation

The Hub for Scripps Science — The Hub — connects aquarium exhibits, education and “Birch Outside the Box” projects and programs with Scripps researchers to engage public audiences with the best scientific knowledge about our Earth, ocean, atmosphere and life.

The Green Practices Committee works to align Birch Aquarium’s internal climate action work — how we ‘walk the walk’ — with goals from both the University of California and the Aquarium Conservation Partnership. Together they work on projects and initiatives to limit the environmental impact of our staff onsite, specifically in the areas of food waste and single-use plastics.

For more than 25 years, Birch Aquarium has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Accreditation is the ‘gold standard’ for the zoological and aquarium profession.

Birch Aquarium is a proud member of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, a coalition of U.S. aquariums working together to increase conservation impact. We’re working together on conservation goals in five areas: Equity and Environmental Justice, Climate Change, Ecosystem and Wildlife Protection, Fisheries and Aquaculture and Plastic Pollution.

As a member of AZA, Birch Aquarium participates in several cooperative breeding programs called Species Survival Plan (SSP). Each SSP carefully manages the breeding of a species to maintain the genetic diversity of certain species in zoos and aquariums to ensure healthy and thriving populations. Birch Aquarium currently participates in the Lined Seahorse, Potbelly Seahorse, Spotted Seahorse, Leafy Seadragon and Banggai Cardinal SSP programs.

Birch Aquarium also participates in AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction. This work focuses on the collective expertise within AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and leverages their massive audiences to save species. It prioritizes collaboration, implements strategic conservation efforts and reports on progress to protect these animals in the wild. Birch Aquarium currently participates in the SAFE Sunflower Sea Star, SAFE Shark and Ray, SAFE Sea Turtles and SAFE Corals programs.

The AZA Wildlife Trafficking Alliance launched the Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network to directly connect law enforcement agencies to aquariums and zoos so that confiscated wildlife can receive immediate care. Through the collaborative efforts of Southern California colleagues and the AZA Wildlife Confiscation Network, Birch Aquarium's husbandry and veterinary teams can provide critical support while government authorities address the issues and conduct their investigations.