Earth Day is one day a year. For us, it’s every day.

At the Downtown Aquarium Houston, conservation isn’t a talking point. It’s embedded into everything we do, from the animals in our care to the organizations we fund in the field. This Earth Day, we’re throwing a Party for the Planet on Wednesday, April 22, and we want you to be part of it.

What AZA Accreditation Actually Means
We’ve held accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2004. Fewer than 10 percent of all USDA public display permit holders meet AZA’s rigorous standards. We’re also certified by the USDA and the Zoological Association of America, with annual inspections to stay in full compliance. That means every animal here is cared for by a team held to the highest standards in the industry, 365 days a year.

Participating in the Species Survival Plan
We don’t just house animals. In some cases, we’re actively helping save them. Our Sumatran tigers, Kirana and Zara, are part of the AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP), a nationwide program focused on conservation breeding and population management for threatened and endangered species. The Sumatran tiger is Critically Endangered, with fewer than 400 individuals remaining in the wild. Their time here is part of a coordinated effort to increase genetic diversity and support the long-term survival of the species.

Our Conservation Partners
Through guest donations and conservation packages, we fund field work with leading wildlife organizations. With Wildlife Alliance, we’ve helped provide a prosthetic leg for an injured elephant in Cambodia and built a ranger station protecting wild tigers from poaching. Through OCEARCH, we’ve funded shark tagging research equipment. With Havenworth Coastal Conservation, we support wild sawfish population monitoring. Our partner network also includes NOAA, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Galveston Bay Foundation, the Billfish Foundation, and more.

How You Can Help
Toss a coin into our Conservation Pond inside the Aquarium Adventure Exhibit, upgrade your animal encounter with a Conservation Package, or stop by the Conservation Station on April 22. Every dollar goes directly to our partners doing real work in the field.

Party for the Planet: April 22
Join us for Earth Day-themed activities, animal encounters, a scavenger hunt, fish feedings, and exhibit chats throughout the property. It’s a day built for families who want to leave knowing something. Read more about it here.

Come celebrate the world we’re working to keep wild, April 22.