Washington, D.C. - Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - The Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) has been awarded a two-year grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program to develop and implement a combined digital and in-person public engagement campaign to inspire and engage aquarium and zoo audiences to take action to reduce marine debris and plastic pollution. 

The $350,771 grant will build the capacity of ACP member aquariums and zoos to educate, engage, and inspire audiences to take action to reduce the sources of plastic pollution and measure, evaluate, and communicate ACP members’  joint plastic reduction commitments.

“Plastic pollution continues to have impacts on our ocean and freshwater ecosystems, human health, and communities,” says Kim McIntyre, Executive Director of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership. “Through the NOAA Marine Debris Grant we can continue our commitment to jointly adopt sustainable practices in our operations with our member aquariums and zoos to eliminate single-use plastic.”

“Tackling an issue as widespread and complex as plastic pollution requires more than individual action—it demands collective effort. By bringing together aquariums, zoos, communities, and businesses across the country, we can drive meaningful, lasting change. Collaboration at this scale not only amplifies impact but also inspires others to join in creating a healthier, more sustainable future for our planet,” says McIntyre. 

Through this grant, 7 ACP member aquariums (California Academy of Sciences, The Florida Aquarium, Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Seattle Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium) will each receive a $20,000 sub-award to create and install educational and operational signage highlighting aquarium plastic reduction efforts and reusable systems. The grant will also support project activities, including the development of a plastic dashboard tool with the support of Verdis Group, and a toolkit and microsite that aquariums and zoos can use for public calls to action.

About ACP

The Aquarium Conservation Partnership is a coalition of aquariums working together to increase our conservation impact. Collectively, our 35 members in 23 states welcome over 40 million visitors a year. ACP members advocate for policy change, advance federal and state conservation policies, mobilize audiences to take action, and demonstrate our commitment to conservation in our business practices.

Our mission is to safeguard ocean and freshwater ecosystems by aligning and supporting the conservation efforts of aquariums for greater collective and individual impact.  

https://www.aquariumconservation.org/