Invest in Our Ocean Planet

Happy Earth Day!

This year's Earth Day theme — Invest in Our Planet — is a concept that emphasizes the urgency of acting now to preserve and protect our planet for the good of Earth, ourselves and our loved ones!

At Birch Aquarium, we encourage you to invest in our ocean planet — from the surface to the deep, and everything in between.  In celebration of Earth Day, we’re excited to highlight some ways we’re working towards this goal in response to the University of California's declared climate emergency,

Aquarium Conservation Partnership

Birch Aquarium joined the Aquarium Conservation Partnership — along with 24 total non-profit aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums — and are actively working towards a long-term goal to achieve carbon neutrality. Our common goal is to work collaboratively and leverage our research, conservation and science to focus, communicate, and educate others on climate change and climate solutions. 

Climate Action Advisory Committee

We’ve developed an internal Climate Action Advisory Committee and aim to reduce our own emissions here at Birch Aquarium by reducing food waste, implementing more energy-efficient processes, equipment, and more.

Communicating Scripps Science

As the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography, we continue to collaborate with Scripps scientists to further climate change research and amplify their science. Scripps is a global leader in observing how our planet is changing, understanding impacts, finding solutions, and training the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders. You can learn more about climate change from Scripps experts. If you have any climate change questions you would like answered? Send your inquiries to scrippsnews@ucsd.edu.

Most recently, we collaborated with Scripps Marine Vertebrate Collection to display a Pacific footballfish specimen at the aquarium. This deep-sea anglerfish washed up near Encinitas last December and is one of only 31 known specimens collected worldwide. This collection is one of four collections that make up the Oceanographic Collections at Scripps, one of the largest university-based oceanographic collections in the world. These collections are housed at Scripps and available to the scientific community for ongoing research, education, and outreach!

Species Survival Plans – Conserving Charismatic Creatures

Birch Aquarium participates in several Species Survival Plans (SSP) to ensure the conservation of healthy and diverse populations of select species including Little Blue Penguins, Lined Seahorses, Potbelly Seahorses, Spotted Seahorses, Leafy Seadragons and Banggai Cardinalfish.

These SSPs serve as cooperatively managed programs that oversee the population management of select species within AZA member institutions and enhance the conservation of species in the wild. Each SSP Program coordinates the individual activities of participating member institutions through a variety of species conservation, research, husbandry, management, and educational initiatives. We are proud to be part of such a crucial program to ensure future healthy populations of these incredible species.

Incorporating climate change in the classroom

Birch Aquarium is working to incorporate more climate science and climate solution-based programs in our educational programs to help inspire the next generation of ocean stewards to take climate action — soon, over half of our educational programs will focus on climate science. 

Learn more about Birch Aquarium's educational programs.

Shop Sustainably

Our Gift Shop selects recycled, upcycled, or sustainable material — including reusable bags and water bottles, transitional cotton shirts, and more. We also partner with organizations that promote conservation and give back to our planet! We’re excited to bring in a new line of sustainable plush items — including a sea turtle plush and shark plush — that spread conservation messaging and bring attention to endangered species.