Introducing Tech Valley Aquarium

Introducing Albany Aquarium

Why I am HereI am a momI am an educatorI love the ocean and everything that goes withI want my children to have a deep appreciation for the Hudson River and the ocean

Why You are Here Where we want to build it Where we are in the process What if anything I can do What the aquarium will have regarding facilities and such (scope, exhibits) Target ages and audiences? Idle curiosity

"In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.- Baba Dioum, 1968

Our Vision

The Hudson River, in our backyard, a gateway to the oceans and seas beyond

Our ValuesTo nurture and ensure the well-being of all the animals in our careTo educate visitors about the plants and animals that rely on our rivers and oceans for their survivalTo conserve our Hudson River Estuary for future generations

Our Mission StatementTo immerse visitors into the aquatic diversity of the Hudson River and the oceans beyond

Why the Capital Region?Crossroads of the Mohawk River and the Hudson RiverPopulation > 1 million people and expected to growVisitors > 5 million people73 school districts and 21 colleges and universities

Why Now?Following the lead of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), an aquarium could foster collaboration between the public, state and federal government and private industry in conservation efforts and aquaculture researchThe Governor recently hosted NYs 1st Tourism Summit designed to bring more visitors to New York StateI

NY

Strengths/ OpportunitiesWeaknesses/ThreatsNearest aquarium is 2 1/2 hours awayLocal municipalities are in the process of revitalizing their waterfrontsFamily friendly Millions of visitors annually

The capital funds needs to be raisedImproper planning and development

Important Facts to RememberAquariums are tourist magnetsAquariums are economic catalystsAquariums improve quality of life for residents

Photo by Ron Cogswell via Flickr

Photo by Guy Schmidt via Flickr

Tourism generates a great deal of economic impactMore than 7.5M people visited Warren County in 2011An estimated 50% of them stayed overnightMore than 50% of the visitors originate from New York or New Jersey

Information provided by Warren County Tourism DepartmentMany of these tourists travel through the Capital Region to get to their destinations in Lake George and the Adirondacks

Tourism Impact

Tourism Impact continuedTourism generates jobs, more than 30,000 in the Capital Region and SaratogaMore than 5M people spent the night in the Capital Region and Saratoga in 2011Information provided by NYS Department of Economic Development

We have the tourists lets give them another reason to stay

An Economic EngineSpending by visitors generates significant retail and consumer services salesDirect and indirect job creationTemporary job creation

Out of town overnight and day trip visitors accounts for most of this

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Lead by ExampleConstructed Wetlands to treat waste waterRecycling BinsCompostable ToiletsOrganic GardeningAquaculture and Coral PropagationRain Collection System

Green EnergyWe strive to lead by example as a showcase of what green technologies can do. Potential projects include: Solar heated water Geo thermal heated water Solar powerHydro-electric

Something for EveryoneEvening lecture series Aqua After DarkParent and meSchool TripsWorkshopsFamily events

Educational ImpactYoung childs play area exhibits and workshopsSchool age programs and camp offerings during summer and school vacationsHigh school exhibit interpreter programCollege internships in fisheries, education and businessHomeschooler lecture and lab seriesDistance learning

As a global leader in nanotechnology, the Capital Region needs to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education initiatives

CollaborationUniversity researchersPrivate industryDEC and other agenciesWorking with other museums to enhance each other

Potential SitesIdeally located on the waterfront inAlbanyCohoesGreen IslandSchenectadyTroy

Potential ExhibitsIntroducing the creatures

New York NativesAn exhibit devoted to the aquatic native species of NY from the Adirondacks to Long Island and everywhere in between.

Trout speciesBass speciesWalleyesLand-locked salmonMuskiesNorthern PikeFrogsCrayfish

Adirondack Beauty

The Mighty Hudson

Simulate moving boats up and down the Erie CanalDiamondback TerrapinsSeahorseSturgeonOystersAmerican EelsNewts

Sand IslandExplore the geology of how Long Island was shapedCreate a sand dune with windMakewavesInvestigate the North Shore vs. South Shore inhabitants FlounderStriped BassClearnose SkatesLobsters, crab species

Horseshoe CrabsSea UrchinsWhelksClamsSpongesSpider CrabsHermit Crabs

Rocky Intertidal Touch Tanks

From Seal to Shining Sea LionAn exhibit of American Species, from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast

East CoastExplore the coast of Maine and Chesapeake BayAtlantic PuffinsHarbor SealsGray Seals

Gulf CoastExplore the Everglades and the BayouAmerican AlligatorsRoseate SpoonbillsFiddler crabsWhelksShrimp

West CoastExplore a Kelp ForestFeaturing:California Sea LionsGiant Pacific OctopusRockfish speciesInvertebrates sea starssnailsurchins

Beauties & The BeastsThis exhibit will showcase all the beauty that the oceans coral reefs have to offer and the predators of the deep blue sea.

Coral GardenSouth Pacific ReefCaribbean ReefCaptive bred species

Shark & Ray Splash BayInteractive exhibit where guests will have the opportunity to touch and feed animals

Ocean in Motion SharksEelsSea TurtleSchooling fish

Human Impact (A Transitional Exhibit)Follow the impact our human species has on our natural environment in this exhibit

Invasive Species StationExplore the effects that non-native organisms have on their native counterparts.Investigate how invasive species entered their new habitatsLearn what you can do to help protect native speciesPlay an interactive game at one of the kiosks

Future Exhibits to feature:This exhibit will change on a bi-annual basis Global climate changePollutionBioaccumulation

AmenitiesIts not just the fish

Lil Squirt GrottoAn age-appropriate environment made for the museums youngest visitors and their grown-ups.Free timed tickets required during busy timesGross motor play area (marine themed) A special viewing area allows young guests to see the animals close-up.Large sandboxMothers RoomNon-circulating library

Marine Science CenterClassrooms (can also be used for private parties)Wet Lab for dissectionsSMARTboard TechnologyCeiling Mounted ProjectorsDistance Learning Lab

Trinket Trove Gift ShopA gift shop of unique and unusual marine- themed gifts

Shark Bites CafeFeaturing locally grown and produced itemsSnacks and light fare for children and adultsAbility to cater events on premises

Lagniappesomething given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measureA 70,000 gallon pool with harbor seals and grey seals at the aquariums entranceBoardwalk style path over the constructed wetlands Shaded Picnic AreaSprinkler Park (Seasonal)

Making it WorkHow we can do it

Where can the money come from?State Funding and Grants- Local Waterfront Revitalization GrantsFederal Funding and Grants- Congressman Tonkos Mighty Waters Task ForcePrivate donors and foundationsMunicipal BondsFundraisersCrowdfunding site

New York State has put aside $220Million for economic development this year45

Tentative Plan over 8-10 yearsAcquire Not-for-profit StatusEstablish work groupsRaise funds for feasibility study and legal costsHire design team and consultantsRaise funds for the master planSite AcquisitionSecure capital Outreach

(site, development, planning)46

A transformative investment in the Capital Regions future starts here

What You Can Do NextVolunteerStay in TouchLooking for individuals who can commit 1-2 hours a month to form working groups:PlanningMarketing/ OutreachFundraisingFollow our Albany Aquarium Facebook PageFollow us on Twitter @AlbanyAquaSign Up for our quarterly newsletterSend us an e-mail at AlbanyAquarium@yahoo.com