The National Aquarium in Washington is celebrating the success of the International Year of the Reef campaign by hosting a special reception with partners including the Coral Reef Alliance, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, Project Aware, Shark Trust Wines and the World Wildlife Fund.

The National Aquarium in Washington, DC extended a warm, watery welcome to the anticipated millions traveling to the nation’s capital to attend inaugural festivities for President-elect Barack Obama. All in one location, the Aquarium offers a unique opportunity to uncover “America’s Aquatic Treasures” from the reefs off of the Golden Gate Bridge to the majestic Mississippi River to the Florida Keys. Located just one block from the Washington Monument, the nation’s oldest Aquarium is a must-see attraction that offers a 45-minute relaxing, family-friendly experience for an affordable price.

Are reptiles slimy? Are all reptiles scaly? Are reptiles dangerous? The National Aquarium staff answered these and many other questions as we highlighted our reptile collection with Reptile Day, held on Saturday, November 1 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Story time, crafts, and a special display of reptiles were all part of this slithery annual event held to help visitors learn about reptiles and their important role in their ecosystem.

The “Ambassador for the World’s Oceans” Dr. Sylvia Earle and shark advisor of Discovery Channel’s Shark Week Andy Dehart came together on July 24th for a lively discussion with Washington’s science and biology community on the world’s marine species, their aquatic environment and the global threats that they face. The discussion was held at the National Aquarium in Washington, the nation’s oldest aquarium, which just underwent a five-year renovation effort to improve habitat conditions, animal care, the facility’s appearance and educational programming. Serving visitors since 1931, the newly refurbished National Aquarium in Washington DC is home to “America’s Aquatic Treasures,” with over 200 species including shark, eel, gators, the dreaded invasive snakehead fish and a “Head Start” baby loggerhead turtle.

The nation’s oldest aquarium has been given a fresh face thanks to a five-year renovation effort to improve habitat conditions, animal care, the facility’s appearance and educational programming. Serving visitors since 1931 from the lower level of the Department of Commerce building, the newly refurbished National Aquarium in Washington DC debuts as home to “America’s Aquatic Treasures,” with over 200 species including shark, eel, gators, the dreaded invasive snakehead fish and a new adorable baby loggerhead turtle.