Each fall, Aquarium Conservation staff returns to monitor the success of the plantings by taking photo stations, a time-lapse glimpse at the same location and direction. Below are photo station pictures taken from past plantings. It is very apparent our restoration sites on Poplar Island are doing well. The planted grasses have flourished by closing in the 18-inch spacing from the planting in June 2009. A variety of migratory birds can be observed utilizing the newly created habitat, while northern diamondback terrapins continue to hatch along the sandy beach nearby.

The Aquarium Conservation Team will continue to replant Poplar Island as space is available, as well as return to monitor in the fall of this year.

June 2009 planting

Same spot in September 2011

Above, picture taken just after the June 2009 planting followed by a second picture taken again in September 2011 during our monitoring trip.

February 2011, before June 2011 planting

Same spot in September 2011

Above, picture taken February 2011 (before our planting event in June 2011), followed by a second picture taken in September 2011 during our monitoring trip. This extreme change shows just three months of growth!

This week, the local media reported on an investigation involving the unfortunate deaths of several animals in a Maryland home. The National Aquarium team is saddened by the loss of animal life and disappointed that an ex-employee may be involved. Though the Aquarium has no recent professional association with the individual, we are determined to keep our online community informed of this sad situation in our Maryland area.

We believe that there exists a human responsibility to care for and protect all creatures, great and small. The National Aquarium is committed to excellence in animal care and actively protecting species both at our venues and around the world. Our Marine Animal Rescue Program team has stepped forward to offer local authorities help to ensure the health and safety of any animals involved in this situation and in which it has the expertise to do so. That said, there are things that we can all do to help protect animals. Animal mistreatment is something that we can stop if we work together and do our part to care for animals properly.  

The following are some tips from our expert, Sue Hunter, director of Animal Programs, who has been working full time at the National Aquarium since 1987, on how to care for your pets and take action to help prevent animal mistreatment:

Tip 1: Only take in domestic animals.
Every animal has specific needs and keeping an animal is a big responsibility. If you have domestic animals such as dogs and cats, there are lots of veterinarians, trainers and stores that can help you with medical care, behavior and supplies/food for these animals. Domestic animals have been bred to interact with humans and we know a lot about them. Their care is not easier (they need all of the things mentioned above), but there are more resources for you to consult should you have questions or a problem. Exotic animals, on the other hand, have very specific needs, and there is not as big a support system to help you care for them. For example, parrots need constant attention, special food and warmth; reptiles need a specific temperature, humidity and food to thrive. In addition, some exotic animals are illegal to have. Check state and local ordinances to make sure that a pet is legal to own before taking it in.

Tip 2: Don’t take in too many pets.
Even well-meaning individuals can be quickly overwhelmed by taking in too many animals. Remember, each animal needs to be cleaned, fed, exercised, enriched and given attention every single day. By having a lot of animals, each individual animal inevitably gets less care as there are only so many hours in a day. This can leave animals confined in cages too long, not cleaned, without enough food or water or lonely and sad. Make sure that you have the time to provide all seven of the needs that animals have daily: clean quarters, food, water, attention, enrichment, exercise and proper housing (including temperature).

Tip 3: Make regular trips to a veterinarian.
Animals need to be seen by a veterinarian every year for a checkup and to receive necessary vaccinations. Also, if an animal displays lethargy, low appetite, low or high water intake, change in behavior or physical changes, this could be a sign of illness and requires an expert licensed veterinarian to diagnose the problem and provide treatment. If your animals show any of these signs, please get them to a veterinarian right away.

Tip 4: Educate yourself with animal cruelty information and keep an eye out for the mistreatment of animals in your community.
There are many signs to look for to identify animal abuse. Common physical signs of an animal that has been mistreated are open wounds, multiple healed wounds, emaciation, tick or flea infestation, extreme matted fur, eye or nose discharge, lethargy, confusion, drowsiness or bumpy, scaly skin rashes. Also look at the animal’s environment – are they kept outside in inclement weather with no shelter? Are they tied up alone outside without adequate food or water? Are they housed in kennels that are too small? Watching a person’s behavior around an animal is also important – does the person physically strike the animal or treat them very rough? Click here to see more tips on how to recognize cruelty.

People who keep large numbers of animals in their house or property in squalid conditions are commonly referred to as “collectors” or “hoarders.” Although many have good intentions, such as providing shelter to unwanted dogs and cats, often the inability to care for so many animals leads to abuse in the form of neglect. Authorities face the often-difficult task of confronting persons in complete denial of the conditions in which they and the animals live. As a further difficulty, authorities must conduct extensive follow-up work because each neglected animal must be examined, cared for and put up for adoption or, in some cases, put down. Click here to learn more about animal hoarding.

As with any criminal prosecution, animal cruelty must be reported and investigated with diligence and accuracy to ensure a conviction and help prevent future acts of cruelty by the offender or others. In most states, officers of the local Humane Society (humane officers) handle the investigation and gathering of information when a cruelty report occurs. Then an attorney employed by the state decides whether to prosecute the offender.

In Maryland, the Animal Services division of the local police department typically executes the investigation, citation and arrest of animal abusers. In addition, the Maryland statute deputizes officers of the Humane Society to perform arrests if they witness a misdemeanor act of animal cruelty, as per Section 10-609 of the Maryland Code. In Baltimore, the Maryland Code deputizes the Division of Animal Health of the Baltimore County Health Department instead of Humane Society officers. Source

Tip 5: Report potential animal cruelty to authorities.
Anyone can report animal cruelty. If you wish to report an act of animal cruelty, aid in the enforcement of anti-cruelty laws or simply have further questions about animal cruelty, do not hesitate to contact local law enforcement or your local office of the Humane Society, Animal Services or Animal Control. In an emergency, dial 911.

If you witness animal cruelty, call 911 immediately. Also report any cruelty or neglect to Animal Control at 311. Document what you have witnessed; a camera phone can help. If you suspect neglect, consider offering to help find a new home for the animal. If you are fearful of approaching the family, call the police or Animal Control. Baltimore-area resources, including animal control agencies, are listed below. Contact social services if you are concerned about other family members. In summary: Do something. There is a link between animal abuse and human abuse. Violence hurts everyone.
Source

Here’s who to contact for more help on caring for your animals or reporting mistreatment:
Each county in Maryland has an animal control facility or local police. In an emergency, call 911. To report suspected abuse, call 311. Below are links to a few animal shelters and resources that can also help you:

To report abuse, individuals can call Baltimore County Animal Control at 410-887-5961.

Further resources:
Baltimore Humane Society 410-833-8848
BARCS Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter 410-396-4695

Central Maryland Animal Shelters:
Anne Arundel County Animal Control 410-222-8900 or fax 410-222-8915
Anne Arundel County SPCA 410-268-4388 or fax 410-268-8027
Baltimore City Animal Control 410-396-4694 or fax 410-396-7332
Baltimore County Animal Control 410-887-5961 or fax 410-817-4257
Baltimore County Humane Society 410-833-8848 or fax 410-833-9251
Carroll County Humane Society 410-848-4810 or fax 410-875-9736
Humane Society of Harford County 410-836-1090 or fax 410-877-3788
Howard County Animal Control 410-313-2780 or fax 410-313-2720
Howard County Animal Welfare 410-465-4350 or fax 410-480-4316

“The reason I work here and love the aquarium so much,” Sue added, “is due to the exemplary care that the animals receive. Animals come first here at the Aquarium. In fact, one of our values is excellence in animal care. Excellence means not only providing top-quality food, water and shelter, but also attending to their every need. We have a talented animal health staff with onsite veterinarians and technicians that ensure the health of the animals through regular physicals, as well as top-notch medical diagnosis and treatment. Animals also need lots of attention and their behavioral needs met, and for this, we have an extensive Biological Programs Department. Staff ensures that the animals have the ability to display natural behaviors, have lots of room to exercise in naturalistic habitats and are enriched in some way every single day. In my life at home, I strive to bring the Aquarium values to animals I care for by providing them with the best food, exercise, veterinary care, enrichment, training and attention every day! I hope that sharing these tips and values will inspire members of our community, too.”

We hope that this incident will serve as a reminder to our friends and neighbors to keep an eye out for mistreatment of animals and serve as advocates for animals whenever possible! We invite you to please post a comment below if you have any questions regarding animal care at home or here at the National Aquarium.

How long have you been volunteering with ACT and what keeps you coming back to volunteer with the program?
I have been volunteering with ACT for about three years now. I began volunteering with ACT shortly after I started working at the National Aquarium because I thought it sounded like a fun opportunity to impact the world positively, and a chance to spend time outdoors getting to know coworkers that I might not cross paths with during routine day-to-day activities. That all turned out to be true and still holds true for my time with ACT; I meet new and interesting people on all of the trips. It is also a great time outdoors and, if you’re lucky, in the sunshine! The Aquarium Conservation Team does a great job of being welcoming and inclusive, which makes working with them always enjoyable.

Scott digging holes at Indian Head for a staff member to plant

What motivated you to join and become a team leader?
I guess for the most part I was motivated by the energy of the other ACT members and the Conservation Department leaders. It’s hard not to rise to the level of that enthusiasm. The groups that join us for the field days are looking for an impactful conservation activity and an opportunity to learn how we are helping to protect natural [environments]; being a team leader helps to facilitate these goals. It is also an opportunity to learn more myself. And who doesn’t like to play around in the mud once in a while, let the kid inside you live!

What is your most memorable experience from an ACT event?
The most memorable experience I had was a group of Girl Scouts that we had [at the 2009 Barren Island] planting. All I could think at the start was “I hope they bring some Thin Mints to get us through all of the squealing and giggles,” but it turned out to be a really strong group. The girls were all focused and eager to plant and didn’t mind any of the muck. They were vigorous and interested and actually kept me on my toes with all of the questions they kept asking; I didn’t know a steady stream of inquiries could be sustained through an entire day of digging holes and putting plants in the ground, but I can now attest to the untiring minds of youth. Luckily for me, their chaperones couldn’t maintain the same stamina or I might still be answering questions on that island.

Scott lays out wetland grasses for a Girl Scout troop to plant on Barren Island

Does your work with ACT tie into your job or other volunteer work you are engaged in?
It would be hard not to find a way in which ACT doesn’t tie in with working at the National Aquarium. The mission of the Nation Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures–what could be more true to the mission than the Aquarium Conservation Team? As part of ACT, you strive to inspire volunteers at the same time that you are working directly to achieve conservation. Teamwork, communication, and engagement are key parts of ACT that also blend into the regular duties of my job.

Sounds like fun, right?! Click Here if you are interested in volunteering at any of our conservation events or joining the ACT! program. And be sure to sign up to receive our Conservation e-newsletter.

Starting February 2012, the National Aquarium will be recruiting applicants for the Minority Student Conservation Intern (MSCI) program. The MSCI program is a paid eight-week internship starting in June that focuses on unique hands-on conservation experiences.

In an effort to promote minority participation in conservation science, the National Aquarium has developed the MSCI program to provide science-based experiences for minority undergraduate college students. This program fosters an understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of aquatic habitats and the plants and animals they support.

Selected students are engaged in activities focused on habitat restoration through the Chesapeake Bay Initiative, as well as animal rehabilitation through the Marine Animal Rescue Program.

For more information on the MSCI program, please visit our Facebook page or e-mail futureofconservation@aqua.org.

And if those aren’t enough, how about an extra reason: 11. What else is there to do on New Year’s Day???

National Aquarium Hours:
Baltimore
Dec 26–29: 10 am – 5 pm
Dec 30: 10 am – 8 pm
Dec 31: 10 am – 5 pm
Jan 1: 10 am – 4 pm OPEN New Year’s Day

Washington, DC
Dec 26–30: 9 am – 5 pm
Dec 31: 9 am – 3 pm
Jan 1: 9 am – 5 pm OPEN New Year’s Day

Skip the crowded malls and frenzied retail shops with this Green Gift Guide from the National Aquarium. These gift ideas are certain to excite and delight your loved ones, and every purchase you make supports the National Aquarium’s mission to inspire people to enjoy, respect, and protect the aquatic world. No batteries or assembly required!

Behind-the-Scenes Immersion Tours

Give your loved ones a thoughtful and unique present you can share together. Schedule an Aquarium Immersion Tour and bring them up close and behind the scenes for an adventure they’ll never forget! Choose from exciting experiences like Breakfast with the Dolphins, Sleepover with the Sharks, and more! Reserve your Immersion Tour »

Gift Memberships

Do you know someone who is passionate about animals, conservation, or someone simply looking for a year’s worth of fun activities? Give your special someone the gift of an Aquarium membership—a unique present that can be enjoyed all year long! Purchase a Gift Membership »

Aquadopt an Aquarium Animal

Give the gift that’s always a hit with people of all ages: Aquadopt a dolphin, frog, puffin, shark or sea turtle! Aquadopt makes a great gift for a great cause—your symbolic adoption helps the Aquarium care for our 16,000 animals. Aquadopt an Animal »

Give Local, Get Local with GiveCorps

Pair a donation to your loved one’s favorite cause with a dinner out at one of their favorite restaurants—if you donate today, you’ll get a complimentary chef’s plate at B&O Brasserie you can enjoy together! Through GiveCorps, you can support causes that move you, and get rewarded for your generosity with great deals from local merchants. It’s like Groupon for a good cause! Donate Now »

Lilly Pulitzer limited-edition signature National Aquarium scarf

Renowned designer Lilly Pulitzer created this limited-edition signature scarf to celebrate the National Aquarium’s 30th anniversary. The silk and cashmere scarf, in Lilly’s playful hues of aqua blue and coral pink, features several of the Aquarium’s residents—the octopus, sea turtle and sea star—as well as a secret message hidden in the print. Every scarf purchase makes a generous donation to the National Aquarium. Only 500 were made, so get yours before they’re gone forever! Order a Scarf »

From Our Online Gift Shop: LEGO Atlantis Series

Dive into a world of deep-sea adventure with the Atlantis LEGO collection—a perfect gift for your favorite little explorer!Buy Now »

From Our Online Gift Shop: I Am Not a Paper Cup

The to-go coffee cup is a masterpiece of design. Simple and straightforward, it almost single handedly created the concept of coffee-to-go. This cup is just like the real thing—only better! It looks just like that cup from your favorite java joint. But this one is double-walled porcelain with a silicone pop-on lid. Environmentally safe, too. Buy Now »

From Our Online Gift Shop: Poo Poo Paper Products

100% recycled and odorless notepad made from the least likely resource, elephant poop—a practical gift for the eco-nut in your life! Buy Now »

From Our Online Gift Shop: Cool Green Stuff

Where will design go next? Environmental conservation will empower new innovative thinking in the 21st century. This guide is a gallery of great recycled, sustainable products promoting a cooler, greener world.  Buy Now »

Your Choice
Buy a potted or “balled” Christmas tree and replant it after the holidays. You’ll create a year-round habitat for local wildlife, and it’s a great gift that you, your family and your neighbors can enjoy for years to come! Check out LivingChristmasTrees.com, a great resource for finding local sellers and businesses offering living Christmas trees.

“And truffula trees are what everyone needs! Plant a new truffula. Treat it with care. Give it clean water, and feed it fresh air. Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack. Then the Lorax, and all of his friends may… come back. ” The Lorax, Dr. Seuss (1971)

What is it about the bubble tubes that makes people smile? Why is that every child who enters the Aquarium’s lobby runs to give them a hug?

Whatever the reason, this simply designed exhibit holds a fascinating, almost whimsical ingredient for success.

Millions of visitors have come to recognize the bubble tubes as one of the most familiar and iconic features at the Aquarium. After 30 years, the bubble tubes were showing their age, so we replaced them and made the lights more energy-efficient at the same time. 

Check out this video about the renovation:

Of course, this being the National Aquarium, we didn’t just throw the old tubes away! They were donated to a nonprofit animal sanctuary, where they’re being turned into enrichment items for the animals!

With the newly completed renovations, these lobby staples are brighter, clearer, and bluer (and “greener,” thanks to the new energy-efficient LED lighting). They continue to be a reminder that in our realistically simulated world there is indeed magic in water…and bubbles.

Once common in freshwater wetlands along the East Coast, Atlantic white cedars are now rare. Lumber from Atlantic white cedars is highly valued because it has water-resistant properties and is therefore ideal for use in boats, furniture, and houses. Historically, it was also used to make barrels, buckets, shingles, and railroad ties. Overharvesting of this valuable natural resource has decimated Atlantic white cedar populations, and it is now on Maryland DNR’s Watch List.

After learning about the history of Atlantic white cedars and the need to restore them, students transplanted 270 saplings into larger pots. All year the students will care for the juvenile trees in a wet frame pond at their school. Teachers from the school will help students regularly monitor the trees’ progress and learn more about freshwater wetlands. In the spring, the students will join the Aquarium Conservation Team (ACT) at Nassawango Creek Preserve to plant their trees.

Owned by the Nature Conservancy, the preserve encompasses more than 10,000 acres and is home to cypress swamps and upland forests. The planting will take place in a 20-acre plot that once served as part of a Loblolly Pine plantation. It was cleared several years ago to make room for native freshwater wetland species and has been the site of four previous ACT planting events.

This project would not be possible without the support of our partners: The Nature Conservancy, Perdue Foundation, Maryland Coastal Bays, Maryland Conservation Corps, and the Chesapeake Conservation Corps. We look forward to continuing this project and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship in students by providing them with a unique hands-on experience that helps the Chesapeake Bay.

Your Choice
Join us for our World Holiday Traditions celebration this Friday evening to make a holiday greeting card from recycled materials for our service men and women. For those of you who can’t join us this Friday, here are some other great ideas for up-cycling your used greeting cards that we found online:

• Donate your used greeting cards to the St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program (year-round!)
• How to make a gift box from an old greeting card!
• Christmas Card Luminaries
• Recycled Christmas Card Ornaments