TENNESSEE AQUARIUM
201 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402 www.tnaqua.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: The mission of the Tennessee Aquarium is to connect people with nature and empower them to make informed decisions about water and wildlife. We celebrate the rich biodiversity of the Southeast through our exhibits and actively engage in preserving and restoring that biodiversity through our work in the field.

The mission of the Tennessee Aquarium is to connect people with nature and empower them to make informed decisions about water and wildlife.

The Tennessee Aquarium is a highly visited attractions and is consistently rated number one in guest satisfaction. After twenty eight years, the Aquarium continues to be a major catalyst for economic development, providing strong fiscal and economic impacts on the region. In 2019, the Tennessee Aquarium welcomed more than 750,000 visitors to the River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings. Through vibrant and unique exhibits, the Aquarium immerses visitors in the fascinating stories of life above, around, and below the water. These exhibits house 12,000 animals representing almost 800 species, many of whom are part of Species Survival Plans coordinated by zoos and aquariums across the country. The Tennessee Aquarium also includes an IMAX 3D theater, showing educational and inspiring films daily. The Aquarium has been continuously accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for twenty five years, affirming a goal to achieve the highest standard of wellbeing for the animals in our care. This accreditation reflects our commitment to the best practices of our industry.

The rivers of the Southeastern United States harbor some of the highest freshwater diversity on the planet. Based in a LEED Gold Certified freshwater science center on the banks of the Tennessee River, the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute furthers the mission of the Tennessee Aquarium by conducting scientific studies, restoring and protecting natural ecosystems, and educating members of the public to take conservation action. Research to identify which southeastern waters have the greatest biodiversity is vital for conservation planning in the Southeast, because it can be used to identify hotspots of diversity that need protection. One signature program is the propagation and reintroduction of Lake Sturgeon. Since the Aquarium and its partners began propagation efforts in 2000, the team has released more than 200,000 Lake Sturgeon to the Tennessee River. Other reintroduction programs for imperiled species include Barrens Topminnow and Laurel Dace. As of 2019, more than 250,000 freshwater animals from 22 species have been reintroduced to their native waters.

The Tennessee Aquarium is a leader in environmental and conservation education, and has received overwhelming acclaim for its education programs. Frequently honored for its education, conservation, and research work, the Aquarium has also received awards for its customer service and visitor experience such as the Conservation Educator of the Year from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, the Office of the Governor Environmental Stewardship Award, and the North American Conservation Award. In 2017, the Aquarium was awarded Tennessee Organization of the Year by the Tennessee Environmental Education Association. Tennessee Aquarium educators have connected more than 2.5 million students with the natural world through the dynamic living collection. School groups can select from several different activities, including self guided tours of the Aquarium, standards based classroom programs, and educational IMAX films. The Aquarium offers complimentary admission and bus transportation for economically disadvantaged students in Title I schools.

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