South Carolina Aquarium

Today, we celebrate #InternationalPlasticBagFreeDay with some exciting news that supports our community — as of July 1, extra-thick plastic bags are now banned in the City of Charleston and James Island, Folly Beach and Mount Pleasant’s bans on these single-use plastic bags are not far behind! Data from the Litter Journal, a project in the South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science app, was used to present supportive claims for this ban in numerous hearings. Thanks to the dedication of hundreds of citizen scientists, this collective action from our community is helping to protect water, wildlife and wild places. Learn more about the South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science app: https://lnkd.in/etdkN6UX

Location shouldn’t be a barrier to access the wonders of water, wildlife and wild places, and we’re celebrating a new environmentally conscious way to bring the Aquarium to learners across the state! Education Outreach, driven by Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC (Charleston, SC), is hitting the road in a new all-electric eSprinter. Come along for the inaugural ride as we bring the ocean to the inland!

Thank you, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), for sharing the impact and importance of citizen science in combatting conservation issues in our communities!

Looking out onto the waters that carry the story of thousands of our African American family members, friends and neighbors, a harrowed history reflects off the waves. We acknowledge the realities so many faced when they entered Charleston and honor their memory.    Today we join in celebrating Juneteenth, marking our country's second independence day when enslaved African Americans learned of their freedom. With open hearts we look toward the horizon and the bright future ahead.

At the Aquarium, we are committed to providing a safe space for every individual to connect to water, wildlife and wild places. No matter who you love or how you identify, you belong here.    The Aquarium remains a longstanding Safe Place for LGBTQIA+ individuals, as designated by the Charleston Police Department. If you experience harassment or a hate crime, you are welcome to come into the Aquarium, and we will assist you in contacting the police and stay with you until help arrives. #pridemonth

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈    The Aquarium is committed to the continued work of inclusion, accessibility, diversity, equity, justice and belonging. We strive to share the amazing connection with water, wildlife and wild places with all, including guests, members, volunteers, staff and the diverse community we serve. This means we must create a safe space of learning and wonder that is welcoming to every individual. We loved walking in the Charleston Pride Festival, Inc. Parade on Saturday and hope that our actions show our LGBTQIA+ teammates, friends and neighbors that they are welcome and belong at the Aquarium.

Is nature the answer to treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and diseases? Cassandra Quave — ethnobotanist, author and professor — believes plants hold more power than we might think. As part of Lifelong Learning Global Discovery on Thursday, June 20, hear Quave nurture a story of world travel, research and holistic healing rooted in her own personal mission to protect our world from future medical crises. Buy Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eqNkFwDT 📸: Aly Fahim

Join us at the JuLionfish Festival on Friday, July 26 from 7–10 p.m. at the Aquarium to celebrate the culmination of the three-month-long JuLionfish Derby! This all-inclusive, 21+ evening at the Aquarium includes a lionfish filleting demo, dishes from local culinary partners, beer and wine, entertainment and more. In addition, learn about conservation efforts and sustainable seafood practices along our coast. Proceeds benefit South Carolina Aquarium Reef Research, a program aimed at generating awareness and supporting fieldwork opportunities to sustain a balanced ocean. Buy Tickets: scaquarium.org/JuLionfish

Have you ever considered that an aquarium could serve as a safe haven from the hustle, stress, overstimulation and demands of the outside world? Studies show that proximity to water can lower anxiety and stress levels, bolster feelings of happiness and calm and inspire creativity and understanding of the world and of those around us, known as “blue mind.” Using this term, coined by marine biologist and author Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, we created a framework to foster blue mind moments and to better serve our community in the mental health landscape. By training staff in mental first aid practices, producing daily blue mind programming, positioning blue chairs to admire the Charleston Harbor, hosting a self-care workshop for mental health practitioners and serving as a location for ongoing healing opportunities for patients, we aim to be a beacon of peace and calm in our community. In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we encourage you to share a moment when an aquarium became a place of mental rest for you!

Congratulations to Howard Hogue, also known as Beach Santa, for picking up AND logging one million pieces of debris in our Litter Journal, a project in the South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science app! This public data is integral in making community specific, data-based decisions surrounding single-use plastic and litter. Beach Santa sets out nearly every single day with a positive attitude to get outside, get some exercise and help keep our communities beautiful! Read more about this major milestone: https://lnkd.in/erwJwPx5