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Baltimore Is Home to the Country's National Aquarium — and 'Walk With T+L' Is Giving You a Look Inside

Explore the Baltimore landmark with a behind-the-scenes tour.

No matter your age or area of interest, the National Aquarium is the place to visit on a trip to Baltimore. From sea dwellers like sharks and turtles to land critters like sloths and puffins, this aquatic destination is home to a wealth of wildlife that helps visitors learn a little more about the planet they live on.

In this episode of Walk With T+L , the aquarium's experts take viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour to showcase the animals and explain how each of their unique habitats thrive. To find out more about the exhibits and future plans, we caught up with Lindsey Rowell, the aquarium's public relations specialist. Here's what she had to say.

Travel + Leisure: What would you say is the most popular exhibit at the aquarium? Which one tends to be the fan-favorite?

Lindsey: A consistent fan favorite is Shark Alley. As guests descend the winding pathway, they come nose-to-nose with several species of sharks and learn that there is much more to admire about these misunderstood predators than there is to fear.

In addition, Jellies Invasion , which features nine species of translucent and brainless invertebrates, brings guests from near and far. From the graceful Pacific sea nettle to the short and stout blue blubber, this exhibit highlights the stunning diversity of jelly populations.

Finally, the Upland Tropical Rain Forest rounds out the Aquarium's top three most popular exhibits, transporting guests to the heart of a South American rain forest. Beautiful tropical birds, hanging sloths, and scampering golden lion tamarin monkeys live among hundreds of rain forest plants to recreate one of the most biologically diverse — and rapidly disappearing — habitats on Earth.

Beyond looking at the amazing animals in the aquarium, what do you hope guests (or viewers of your episode) get out of visiting?

Lindsey: The National Aquarium works to change the way humanity cares for our ocean planet. The Aquarium hopes that with each visit, guests will learn something that motivates them to protect wildlife species and habitats in their own communities.

In addition, outside of the Aquarium, through science-based education programs and hands-on field initiatives, the National Aquarium is creating a new community of hopeful conservationists, driven by its mission to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures.

We know the aquarium is planning on constructing a new dolphin reserve. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Lindsey: The National Aquarium plans to build a seaside sanctuary for its Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, the first of its kind in North America. The site will give aquarium staff the ability to provide lifetime customized care for each dolphin in a larger outdoor location with natural sea water, tropical or subtropical climate, and natural stimulus such as fish and aquatic plants.

What's next for the aquarium? Are there any future plans you can talk about?

Lindsey: The aquarium plans to install a network of floating wetlands between Piers 3 and 4 [in Baltimore's Inner Harbor], creating a habitat for native species, gradually improving the harbor's water quality, and reconnecting residents and visitors with the natural world right at the water's edge. Currently, a floating wetland prototype is in place.

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National Aquarium in Baltimore: Tips, Tours, and Deals

The Centerpiece of Baltimore's Inner Harbor

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is the city's most popular tourist attraction and one of the biggest aquariums in the United States. The centerpiece of Baltimore's immensely popular Inner Harbor , needless to say, it can get a bit crowded (and expensive). Negotiating the aquarium can be challenging, but less so if you consult these tips on visiting the aquarium, taking a tour, or best yet - getting a great deal.

• The best advice is this: if possible, visit the aquarium on a weekday. Weekends are much more crowded. If you can't, try and get the aquarium early (before 11 am) or late (after 3 pm).
• No strollers are permitted inside the National Aquarium. Check your stroller at the entrance, and the aquarium will provide a carrier. Once inside the main building, it's obvious why strollers aren't permitted. Crowds, escalators and people movers would make it very difficult to navigate.
• When you purchase admission tickets, you must also decide whether you want tickets to the 4D Immersion Theater. You will be given specific show times for each.
• Plan your parking strategy in advance.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your dolphin show time.
• Lockers are provided near the entrance. Keep in mind, however, that if you follow the natural path through the aquarium, your visit will end a block away from this building.
• If you want to leave the aquarium and return later, attendants at the information booth near the entry or at the exit in the Marine Mammal Pavilion will stamp your hand for re-entry.
• While there are several options for dining inside the aquarium, all of them are cafes and snack shops with (expensive) fast food. The Inner Harbor's (and Harbor East) dining options or the restaurants of nearby Little Italy are much better and more diverse. Just be sure to get a re-entry stamp.
• While it makes sense to buy souvenirs at the end of a visit, the first gift shop you encounter (near the Australia exhibit) is the best by far. So either lug your treasures along or make plans to come back.
• Small children will frequently need a boost to see some of the exhibits.
• The aquarium is open on most holidays (except Christmas and Thanksgiving). Keep in mind, however, that these usually are very crowded days.

National Aquarium Discounts

• Several area hotels offer package deals that include aquarium tickets, VIP passes, and discounts, especially the Hotel Monaco Baltimore.
• Active duty, reserves and retired members of the United States military are eligible to receive the best rates on Aquarium tickets at local MWR or ITT offices. Please check with your local base for details.
• Half-Price Friday Nights. Friday is your night! Get access to our award-winning exhibits for half the price of general admission on Friday evenings after 5 pm.
• Become a member. Depending on the level, a membership usually pays for itself in two visits.

Guests With Special Needs

A variety of services are available for individuals with disabilities. There's a drop-off circle in front of the aquarium on Pratt Street, an accessible entrance just past the main entrance, and elevators throughout. Visitors with special needs and their parties may purchase tickets at the Members Entrance and gain immediate entry.

Guests may obtain free wheelchairs with the deposit of a driver's license at the stroller check. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Strollers for children with disabilities are the only strollers allowed in the buildings. An aquarium tag, picked up from the stroller check, must be displayed while touring.

An Accessibility Guide maps out a wheelchair/stroller route that avoids the escalators. Pick it up at the Accessibility/Members Entrance, the stroller check, and information desks. Reserved seating for the dolphin show is available.

Visitors with special needs and their guests may enter the aquarium 30 minutes prior to opening during the First Saturdays and First Sundays program.

With advance notice, blind or deaf visitors may use audio tours or scripts of public presentations. Service animals are permitted in all public areas of the aquarium. Contact the special customer liaison at 410-659-4291 or leave a message on the TTY at 410-727-3022.

Aquarium Tours

If you'd like to get a closer look at what goes on behind the scenes at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, these tours are the way to go. They offer everything from a plunge into the tanks to an in-depth walking tour.

Insider's Tour

• Families with children over age 8, Teens, Adults, Scouts
• $50 ($40 for Members)
• Starting at 8:30 a.m. before the official aquarium's opening time, this is a 2-hour tour. Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Aquarium? Here’s your chance to step into our stories and see the Aquarium in a brand new way. In this incredible experience, an expert will lead you through our exhibits.

Daily Behind the Scenes Tour

• All participants must be at least 8 years of age to participate.
• 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• $20 ($15 for Members)
• Join us for a quick and exciting look behind the scenes! Led by an expert guide, you’ll learn about some of your favorite animals and exhibits around the Aquarium. With different tours offered throughout the year, be sure to come back and experience them all!

Dolphin Encounter

• Ages 8 and up; children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
• $190 ($150 for Members)
• Touch a dolphin during this 2-hour meeting with the mammals (starts at 9 a.m.). The encounter begins with an interactive orientation session. Then the sit back and enjoy the  dolphin show , following which you'll go up on deck for the real fun—playtime with the dolphins. Participants may not be pregnant.

Sharks! Behind-the-Scenes Tour

• Ages 8 and up
• $45 ($35 for Members)
• 1.5 hours, starting at 1:30 p.m.
• Explore behind-the-scenes shark areas with an expert guide and discover the truth about these incredible ocean predators. Dare to walk the catwalk, where sharks swim silently just inches beneath you. Learn how aquarium staff cares for a variety of sharks and rays. Visit our food-prep area to learn how diets are carefully planned and monitored.

Aquarium Guest Diver Program

• 18+; Guest must be PADI Open Water Diver certified or equivalent
• 1 hour orientation/prep; 30-45 minute dive
• Experience a once-in-a-lifetime dive that takes you to an exotic coral reef full of incredible animals, right here in Maryland.

Animal Care and Rescue Center Tour

• Ages 8 and up; children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult
• 1.5 to 2 hours; offered on weekends
• $45 ($35 for members)
• Explore the aquarium's state of the art Animal Care and Rescue Center as you feed the animals, talk to staff and perform water quality activities.

Wild Extremes Tour

• Have up close and personal interactions with reptiles and have a hands-on encounter as you go behind the scenes of the "Australia: Wild Extremes" exhibit.

Aquarium Sleepover

• Overnight: 6:30 p.m. to 9 a.m.
• $125 ($95 for Members, $105 for groups)
• Spend the night at the aquarium and explore behind-the-scenes areas, have animal encounters, watch a dolphin presentation, enjoy a show and more. Be sure to bring a sleeping bag, closed-toe shoes, sleepwear, and toiletries.

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National Aquarium

4 Fun Field Trips in Baltimore & Annapolis

Social studies, STEM, and just for fun!

Destination Education℠ by Watermark® immerses students in unique experiences. Our field trips support the social studies curriculum of Maryland and surrounding states. Many of our programs offer indoor and outdoor hands-on activities that meet STEM and environmental-literacy standards. Read on to learn about four of our fun field trips in Baltimore and Annapolis.

1. Aquatic Adventures

First, we have Aquatic Adventures offered in partnership with the National Aquarium . Our strong network of partners allows us to provide fully coordinated itineraries. This makes for exceptional field trips in Baltimore! Students explore an underwater world at the aquarium and then get out on the water for a 45-minute Baltimore Harbor Cruise. The narration shares the important history of the waterfront and its role today as a working port. Students may eat lunch on the boat while cruising past Federal Hill, Fell’s Point, Fort McHenry, and much more.

Baltimore | A fully-coordinated 3-to 4-hour itinerary | $30.95/Student (Minimum of 20 students.)

2. The Best of Annapolis

A popular choice for fourth-grade classes, this field trip shares the best that this charming city has to offer. Students begin their journey with a 90-minute Colonial Stroll led by a period-attired guide. They walk past historic mansions and learn about life in the 18th century. Our guides share stories of important figures that helped make Annapolis and Maryland what we see today. The tour includes the restored Maryland State House, where George Washington resigned as Commander-in-Chief.

The field trip continues on with a 45-minute walking tour of the United States Naval Academy. This unique institution is home to more than 4,000 midshipmen. Students experience the Academy’s sights, sounds, and history as they stroll.

Finally, the field trip ends with a 40-minute Annapolis Harbor & USNA Cruise. The cruise narration touches on history, navigation,   architecture, and ecology.

Annapolis | 3.5 hours | $16.50 Student/$23 Adult  

3. Chesapeake 101

Chesapeake 101 is a hands-on cruise that meets STEM and Environmental Literacy standards. First, students engage in problem solving and team building while they explore Chesapeake Bay ecology. Activities include oyster tonging, exploring oyster reef critters, oyster dissection, watershed pollution activity, seining for life in the creek, and crabbing.

Then, after a morning of ecological exploration, students climb aboard Harbor Queen for a 40-minute narrated Annapolis Harbor & USNA Cruise. Students are welcome to enjoy lunch during the cruise.

Annapolis | 3 hours | $17.50 Student/$22.50 Adult  

4. Pizza Party Cruise

On this entertaining field trip, students climb aboard to enjoy a DJ, pizza, and, above all, lots of fun. This event is customizable for your occasion. For example, 8th-grade graduations or the end of the year are wonderful reasons to celebrate. Our Youth Group Manager will help you tailor the party to your needs. Available as a field trip in Baltimore and Annapolis, this is a cruise for memories! Your students will certainly have a blast.

Annapolis & Baltimore | Call for pricing and availability.  

Maryland has a lot to offer for both the social studies and STEM subjects. Contact our Youth Group Manager to plan your next field trip in Baltimore and Annapolis.

Student group at the USNA: Department of Defense photo by Angel A. Clemons/Released.

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YOUR WORLD BENEATH THE SURFACE.

Baltimore cultural institutions offer field trips for youth summer programs

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“Field Trip Fridays offers a prototype for collaboration in our city,” Cohen said in a statement. “This serves as an incredible example of city government, nonprofit partners and our city’s anchor institutions working together to solve problems. I called, they answered, and every single one opened their doors and put out the welcome mat for our kids.”

Marcus Dieterle

Marcus Dieterle is the managing editor of Baltimore Fishbowl. He returned to Baltimore in 2020 after working as the deputy editor of the Cecil Whig newspaper in Elkton, Md. He can be reached at [email protected]... More by Marcus Dieterle

One reply on “Baltimore cultural institutions offer field trips for youth summer programs”

How do someone sign up for the program I would love to speak to you if it’s possible urgent matter

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Baltimore-Metro Field Trips

The FieldTripDirectory.com is a resource of field trips in Baltimore, Maryland for elementary school students thru high school students, camp groups, homeschool groups and scout troops for day field trips, overnight field trips and youth retreats. Learn about Baltimore’s museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, nature centers, historic sites, amusement parks, recreation, performing arts and more, CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below for further field trip information. For those unable to travel to these locations, check out our  Virtual Field Trips  section or  Outreach Field Trips & School Assembly Programs  section.    

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Adventure Park at Sandy Spring

The Adventure Park is more than just a fun activity! Building self-confidence, leadership skills, and introducing a hands-on approach to problem solving, The Adventure Park will support your class like no other field trip can!

ClimbZone Laurel

Children of all ages will be mesmerized by our 28ft tall artistically themed climbing walls,  arcades and soft play zone. Our field trip/camp options are tailored to different age groups and budgets…. guaranteeing smiling faces for all!

Hyper Kidz Baltimore

Hyper Kidz is the ultimate, indoor playground with four play zones—the Big Kid Zone, Kid Zone, Mini Zone, and Expansion for mixed ages!

Hyper Kidz Columbia

National Aquarium

Since 1981, the National Aquarium has brought a world of aquatic wonder to life for guests of all ages. Visit us at aqua.org for more information.

Olney Theatre Center

Olney Theatre Center offers 10:15am performances for a diversity of audiences of our professional productions, including post-show discussions. See our current season online along with content and curricular guidance. Sliding scale tickets. Outreach: Montgomery County Public Schools and some locations in other nearby counties.

Pinstripes Bethesda

Dine, Play, Celebrate! The best field trips happen at Pinstripes, an esteemed dining and entertainment destination that offers a kids-friendly Italian-American menu and a modern spin on bocce and bowling.

Skate Zone is Crofton’s #1 skating rink, offering skating lessons, STEM field trips, and more. School and camp groups welcome! Visit Skate Zone—where fun meets fitness!

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is internationally recognized as having achieved a preeminent place among the world’s most important orchestras. Offers school time and family friendly performances.

Tree Trekkers Frederick Outdoor Aerial Adventure and Zipline Park

Located on 30 acres of protected forest, Tree Trekkers offers 16 different high ropes trails with 8 difficulty levels so there is something fun for everyone.  Encourages communication, problem solving skills, outdoor exercise, and teamwork.

American Visionary Art Museum

The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) is America’s official national museum and education center for intuitive, self-taught artistry, usually without formal training.

Arena Players

Arena Players is an African American community theater whose mission is to entertain, while nurturing artists through cross-cultural endeavors and illuminating the African-American experience through the performing arts.

FieldTripDirectory.com offers field trip ideas for class trips, scout group trips, camp group field trips, and homeschool group field trips in Baltimore—for early childhood through college. Search for class trips in Baltimore by group type, cost, activity/curriculum type, grade level, distance, and venue name or keyword. Day class trips are divided by curriculum and subject area:

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Students gleeful to see sharks, jellyfish while on 'field trip fridays' at national aquarium.

Liberty Village Project Summer Camp students excited to see the fish

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For almost 1,000 Baltimore City children, Fridays mean field trips.

It's part of a city-backed program designed to keep youths off the streets.

"It's great for our kids. All we want is to make sure our young people have a wide variety of opportunities to enjoy and explore this wonderful city," said Alison Perkins-Cohen, chief of staff for Baltimore City Public Schools.

The latest stop on " Field Trip Fridays " was the National Aquarium in Baltimore, a familiar place to visit for most students, but not all of them.

"Where we live, a lot of these children only get to experience museums, the aquarium, science center when it's, like, a school field trip. Other than that, you don't really visit a lot of these places on a day-to-day basis," said Tiara Leggemarks, a parent.

Students taking part in the Liberty Village Project Summer Camp couldn't wait to escape the heat by going to the aquarium, which is one of a dozen sites around the city that students will get to visit for free this summer.

"It is so much fun to greet the kids. Their excitement is on their face, some want to see the sharks, some want to see the dolphins, a few want to see the jellyfish. All told, it's great seeing that enthusiasm," said John Racanelli, the aquarium's president and CEO.

| VIDEO BELOW : 'Field Trip Fridays' offers experiences for city students all summer long

The "Field Trip Fridays" program is one of the ways the city has been responding to a spike in youth violence.

"This is for you. You don't need to go someplace else. These are your institutions. They belong to our children and our families here, and it is beautiful to watch it happen," said Baltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen, D-District 1.

And it didn't take long for students to find their favorite exhibits at the aquarium.

"The jellyfish. You get to touch it, and the dolphins," said Ada Peay, a student.

"I get to see the sharks and the jellyfish," said Ethan Tull, a student.

"There are sharks and the rain forest (exhibit)," said Alexander Peay, a student.

There are still a few more "Field Trip Fridays" left before students head back to school with plenty of summer memories.

Planning Your Day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore

If you have been looking for a day trip for your family and friends, then look to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. This iconic institution is easily accessible through various means of transportation, so you won’t have to worry about the hassle of parking just to get in. It also offers many exhibits and activities to entertain the entire family, from the young children to the young at heart.

Gather Your Group

A day at the National Aquarium is a great outing for the entire family, a group of friends, or for students on a school field trip. There are plenty of transportation options that can accommodate the entire group, including charter buses, carpooling, and even boat rides. Once you gather your group together, start planning your transportation and the rest of your fun-filled day.

Find the Best Time

According to the National Aquarium’s official website , the best times to visit are on weekdays. If weekdays are not the easiest time for your group, then they suggest visiting before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m. on the weekends or holidays. You may also want to plan your visit based on any special events or tours that might be available. Consider buying your tickets in advance. This will ensure your entire group is able to enter, and you will get to skip the ticket line.

Plan for Amazing Activities

The National Aquarium has several exhibits, events, tours, and many more activities to offer guests. The Aquarium offers 4D immersion films where you and your children can experience a 15-minute adventure under the sea. You can also experience a once-in-a-lifetime moment at the Dolphin Discovery Exhibit. Included with your admission are different interactive activities with the dolphins, as well as simply watching them swim and play.

Haymarket Transportation can provide all of the transportation for your day trips in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. We specialize in tours of all kinds, including customized tours, if your group desires a unique outing. Please call us at  301-778-2007 or visit us online to learn more about our many services.

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore

Aquarium adventure package.

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Special Offers

The National Aquarium is pleased to offer an array of opportunities and programs to allow our guests to make the most of their visit.

Deals and Savings Don't Miss These Special Offers

It's your Aquarium! The National Aquarium is pleased to offer a diverse lineup of opportunities for locals and guests to visit for less. Take advantage of these special rates and opportunities designed just for you, to experience an entire world of wonder.

Weekly Half-Price Friday Night

Monthly first sunday, monthly first saturday, planning your visit.

Busier periods such as weekends, holidays, and peak hours tend to sell out quickly. We recommend planning your visit on off-peak times, such as non-holiday weekdays.

Deals and Savings Maryland Mornings

Show your state pride! Maryland residents can visit the Aquarium before noon Monday through Friday year-round for a reduced price. You must purchase tickets for Maryland Mornings on-site at the Aquarium. Reference Maryland Mornings at the ticket window and show proof of residency to receive your discount! This offer cannot be combined with any other offers.

Adults (Ages 21-69): $10 off regular ticket price Youths (Ages 5-20), Seniors (Ages 70+), and Military Personnel: $5 off regular ticket price Children (Ages 4 and Under): Always free

Maryland Mornings reduced admission is not valid on weekends and these upcoming blackout dates: February 17-19, 2024; March 29-30, 2024; April 1, 2024; May 25-27, 2024; July 4, 6, 12, 13, 20 and 27, 2024; August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2024; September 1-2, 2024; November 29, 2024; December 26-31, 2024; and January 1, 2025.

Deals and Savings Military Pricing

National Aquarium tickets are available for sale at military bases nationwide through our consignment ticket program. For the best available rates, we encourage active duty, reserve and retired members of the United States military to check with their local MWR or ITT office for details.

The National Aquarium is also proud to offer special year-round, on-site ticket pricing of $39.95 for guests with active military ID or veteran ID. Active military personnel and their dependents who are eligible for adult admission (ages 21-69) can receive this pricing by presenting their military ID in person at our box office. Veterans who are eligible for adult admission (ages 21-69) must show one of the following forms of identification in person at our box office: a Department of Defense identification card, a veteran health identification card, a veteran ID card, or veteran designation printed on a state-issued driver's license or ID.

Deals and Savings Baltimore Hotel Packages

Baltimore offers visitors so much to see, do and experience. Maybe you should stay a while! The Aquarium is pleased to offer guests special overnight packages with our neighboring downtown hotels so you can make the most of your time at the Aquarium and everything Baltimore has to offer.

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Image caption: Omar Lloyd

Credit: Phil Smith / National Aquarium

Johns Hopkins alum helps Baltimore harbor wetland flourish

Omar lloyd, a&s '20, helped the national aquarium bring a tidal salt marsh back to the inner harbor.

By Aleyna Rentz

Hundreds of years ago, Baltimore's Inner Harbor had no ships, no piers, no electric scooters collecting barnacles in the water's murky depths. The water wasn't deep enough to lose objects in, let alone swim in. Before human intervention, the harbor was a tidal salt marsh—muddy, shallow, and grassy, a buffer zone between the coast and the Chesapeake Bay.

Image credit : Phil Smith / National Aquarium

It protected neighboring forests from floodwaters and provided shelter for marine life such as blue crabs and oysters. When rain or snow fell, it seeped into the marsh's thick soil, where it slowly filtered out into tributaries that led back to the Chesapeake Bay and ocean. This filtering process pulled excess nutrients from the water, keeping waterways clean and healthy, while wetland grasses and sediment sequestered carbon that would otherwise have ended up in our atmosphere and warmed the planet.

As Baltimore grew, the salt marsh was dredged for ships and lost entirely. Now, a team of conservationists at the National Aquarium are working to restore the area to some of its former glory.

"Since the creation of the Inner Harbor, we have deep water that meets hardened shorelines. There are no gradual changes in elevation, or soils, and no movement of water," explains Omar Lloyd, A&S '20. Lloyd, who studied environmental science at JHU, is now a member of the National Aquarium's Field Conservation team, which carries out large-scale habitat restoration projects throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. Recent visitors to the Inner Harbor have likely noticed the results of a project on which he's a key collaborator: Harbor Wetland .

Video credit : National Aquarium

This permanent exhibition, which opened on Aug. 9, provides a glimpse into Baltimore's past while envisioning a healthier future. Between the National Aquarium's Piers 3 and 4 are 10,000 square feet of man-made floating wetlands. Though it's fortified by recycled plastics and coconut netting, Harbor Wetland is visually and functionally similar to the real thing.

"There are tons of benefits to a wetland, even if it's not entirely natural," Lloyd says. "The main benefit is bringing back microhabitats, animals, and greenery that previously existed here before industrialization."

The wetlands have already played host to an array of aquatic life; Lloyd has seen diamondback terrapins, a black crowned night heron, and blue crabs, but the "biggest surprise," he says, was a video of river otters playing on the learning dock, captured by a security guard early one morning.

The project is more than a decade in the making. In 2010, the National Aquarium began experimenting with floating wetland technology, which had previously only been used in storm retention ponds. The aquarium's initial prototype was the first floating wetland to be installed in a brackish tidal system in the United States. Four prototypes and several years later, the model was ready to be scaled up into the larger habitat that exists today.

Lloyd joined the aquarium during this phase, helping with planting and maintenance for the wetlands.

"There were a lot of preparation tasks," he says, including installing Canada geese fencing as a deterrent, adding compost in planting holes to encourage plant growth, and ordering enough grasses to cover 10,000 square feet. Lloyd took the lead on mixing local compost with sphagnum moss, which allowed the grasses to establish faster and reach the water level sooner. Once this phase was complete, Lloyd supported the coordination of one of the biggest volunteer events hosted by the National Aquarium, guiding 300 volunteers and 70 aquarium staff members in planting 33,000 grasses and 120 trees.

Such high turnout reflects an ongoing shift in public perception about what the Inner Harbor is and can be. "People are starting to believe that Baltimore can have healthy, clean water," Lloyd says. "They're asking aquarium employees about our conservation action plan and thinking about their own impacts on natural health."

The Harbor Wetland 's transformative effect on wildlife and water quality complements existing efforts to make the harbor healthier—projects like Mr. Trash Wheel, a semi-autonomous trash interceptor whose giant googly eyes overlook the tons of trash he clears from the water annually, or the Great Baltimore Oyster Partnership, a restoration effort that has grown over 1.3 million oysters (not for consumption) in the Baltimore Harbor. The aquarium, of course, has ongoing conservation projects all throughout the Chesapeake region. These efforts have real outcomes: In 2023, fishing charters began venturing into the Inner Harbor for the first time, where they're now finding an abundance of healthy fish. Improved water clarity has made the harbor an ideal training ground for rescue divers. And the Harbor Splash, a recent event where 150 Baltimoreans leaped into the harbor for a quick swim, sold out within minutes.

On Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, a new floating wetland by Ayers Saint Gross opens at the National Aquarium

Salt marsh habitat on the inner harbor to open to the public in early august, national aquarium starts work on outdoor harbor wetland habitat and floating park.

Inspired to get involved? Consider volunteering for Lloyd's other project: maintaining one of two restored living shorelines in Baltimore City, the Fort McHenry wetlands. In compliance with the 1972 Clean Water Act, these 10 acres of wetlands were created in tandem with the Fort McHenry Tunnel to offset its negative environmental impact. Thanks to Lloyd and the conservationists that preceded him, they've been thriving for decades—a blueprint, perhaps, for the Harbor Wetland 's future success.

Lloyd is proud of the aquarium's commitment to the world beyond its indoor exhibits: "We're reimagining how people think of aquariums. They're not just places to look at aquatic life but institutions that take care of the broader community and environment."

Posted in Community

Tagged environmental science , clean water , environment , environmental health , marine ecology , marine biology

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