Community, Education & Conservation
A Beacon of Excellence
The Florida Aquarium is in the midst of a bold $45 million expansion – an investment that will significantly amplify our efforts in conservation, education, and community engagement. With the support of our donors, we will continue to scale groundbreaking efforts in coral reproduction, sea turtle rehabilitation, and coastal ecosystem restoration – protecting Florida’s waters for generations to come.
This expansion also strengthens our role as an educational leader, expanding access for Title 1 schools, growing immersive programs like our Community SeaTREK, and reaching millions of guests through hands-on learning experiences. And through meaningful partnerships with community leaders and like-minded organizations, we’re continuing to deepen our roots in the community.
Now is the time to invest in impact. Join us as we continue to shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and inspired future – where every gift drives progress and every donor helps save what matters most: our ocean, our wildlife, and the world we share.
The Florida Aquarium
Conservation Champion
From restoring Florida’s coral reefs to rescuing sea turtles, your support will help fuel critical conservation initiatives that protect Florida’s most fragile ecosystems and inspire lasting change. This expansion enhances our reach as Conservation Champions in the following ways:
- MORPH’D immerses visitors in the fascinating adaptations of some of nature’s most remarkable species - each with their own unique story of survival in an ever-changing environment, inspiring deeper connections with the natural world and encouraging our guests to adopt more conservation-minded behaviors.
- The Tide Pool features essential herbivore species that help maintain a balanced ecosystem, including sea urchins, nicknamed “the lawn mowers of the sea.” The Florida Aquarium, in partnership with the University of Florida, has pioneered techniques to reproduce and rear thousands of long-spined sea urchins and other herbivores, which are then reintroduced into their natural habitats.
- The Florida Aquarium, in partnership with the University of Florida, has pioneered techniques to reproduce and rear thousands of long-spined sea urchins and other herbivores, which are then reintroduced into their natural habitats.
- A new state-of-the-art habitat for African penguins enhances our role in the AZA’s African Penguin Species Survival and Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) Programs.
- Guests will be immersed in the habitat while learning about our ongoing conservation efforts for African penguins in both South Africa and Namibia.
- Our Coral Conservation Program is a global leader in spawning Atlantic coral species in a laboratory setting and is recognized as the industry leader in the sexual reproduction and rearing of stony corals.
- Our breeding efforts have yielded genetically diverse and healthy coral offspring to support reef restoration efforts worldwide, with findings shared across the scientific community.
- Our Sea Turtle Hospital and Rehabilitation Center allows guests to observe patients during their recovery before release, with many equipped with satellite trackers to help monitor their post-release journeys.
- Since 1999, we have rescued more than 400 sea turtles.
The Florida Aquarium
Education Leader
Inspiring the next generation begins here. Your support expands access to hands-on learning, breaks down barriers for underserved students, and brings ocean education to millions. This expansion enhances our impact as Education Leaders in the following ways:
- With over 2 million schoolchildren, families, teachers, and educators having already participated in onsite learning programs since opening, this expansion will immediately broaden that reach and impact thousands of students of all ages.
- With Title 1-sponsored groups’ attendance up 20% since 2022, this expansion will provide more underserved youth with access to dynamic, new exhibits that spark curiosity and inspire future conservationists.
- Each year, over 90,000 students engage in learning programs across both campuses, and off-site. This expansion brings new and exciting content to already engaging programming.
- Since 2014, more than 17,000 Title 1 fifth-grade students have participated in our award-winning hands-on field study program at our Apollo Beach location creating lifelong connections to marine science and stewardship.
- STEM Family Nights have welcomed nearly 7,700 families. New habitats will provide more engagement opportunities for these families.
- As a founding member of Tampa Bay STEM Network, we continue to elevate learning through high-impact content and exhibits.
- Through “Days of Discovery,” we create sensory-friendly experiences for children and families with accessibility needs - expanding our reach and inclusion.
- In collaboration with the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, we’ve provided nearly 750 PreK families with a free annual membership - instilling a love of learning from the earliest ages. New animal ambassadors, including sea lions, puffins, and penguins, will further enrich early childhood experiences.
- Through programs like Mission Tampa Bay’s underwater robotics camp, we engage girls from underrepresented communities in STEM careers with new exhibits providing new learning platforms.
- In partnership with Junior Achievement’s BizTown, all Hillsborough County 5th graders can explore careers in marine science. With this expansion, new roles and content will be added to enhance discovery.
- In partnership with Tampa General Hospital, we offer virtual field trips to pediatric cancer patients using a remote-controlled robot. These youth will get a front-row seat to see sea lions, puffins, and penguins virtually.
- This expansion will expand our educator workshops, including Gulf mini-expeditions aboard a research vessel that gives teachers direct connections to field science and classroom curriculum.
The Florida Aquarium
Community Collaborator
Your support is more than a donation – it’s a commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and positive change across Tampa Bay. This expansion enhances our role as Community Collaborators in the following ways:
- This expansion elevates our Community Advisory Committee, ensuring inclusive input from business and civic leaders to shape programming and impact.
- Through our East Tampa and Sulphur Springs Collaborative, a Community Resiliency Task Force - co-established with Bank of America - we will scale neighborhood-based conservation and environmental engagement with support from new tolls and outreach programs supported by this expansion.
- This expansion will integrate sensory-inclusive design ensuring accessibility and comfort for guests of all abilities.
- We’ll expand partnerships like our support for the Bullard Family Foundation’s back-to-school efforts, increasing the number of families we serve.
- As the national coordinator for the first-ever international penguin waddle, this expansion further cements Tampa as a global conservation hub
- Expanding our partnership with the Hillsborough County Public Library Discovery Pass Program will provide more free family passes and incorporate interactive education tied to each new exhibit.
- The expanded footprint of this expansion will create space to host seasonal programs with partners like Feeding Tampa Bay, addressing basic needs and building stronger community bonds.
- Through partnerships with organizations like TOBA, NAACP, Latinos of Tampa, and Layla’s House, we’ll increase access and representation from neighborhoods across the region.
- This expansion allows us to expand our physical and programmatic capacity to reach more youth with immersive marine science programs through collaboration with the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and others.
- New habitats will create unforgettable experiences for youth involved in Make-A-Wish, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and similar groups - building connection, wonder, and learning.
