Conservation Partnerships

In pursuit of its mission to support wildlife conservation, the Texas State Aquarium partners with a variety of like-minded organizations.

Read more about these partnerships below!

  • Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE)


    Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction focuses the collective expertise within AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and leverages their massive audiences to save species. The Texas State Aquarium, through funding, education, and outreach efforts and the expertise of its animal care staff, is working with AZA for the conservation of the vaquita, a critically-endangered porpoise. Our efforts include spreading awareness about the threats of illegal fishing and widespread use of gillnets and educating the public on purchasing vaquita-friendly seafood and products.

  • Species Survival Plan (SSP)


    The mission of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) cooperatively managed Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program is to oversee the population management of select species within AZA member institutions and to enhance conservation of this species in the wild. Several species at the Aquarium are managed under the SSP, leading to breeding and reproduction programs that hep maintain a genetically diverse collection of species through the nation's zoos and aquariums and for introduction into their natural habitats.

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  • Sexual Coral Reproduction (SECORE)


    SECORE grows the tiniest and newly-fertilized eggs of coral in controlled environments and later introduces them to the ocean, creating a "backbone" for a new, healthy coral reefs. The Aquarium provides financial and research support for SECORE, including offering up data on the coral samples growing in our Coral Propogation Nursery.

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  • National Park Service


    Padre Island National Seashore's Division of Sea Turtle Science & Recovery, the nation's preeminent center for sea turtle rescue and research, is located just 30 miles from the Texas State Aquarium. The Aquarium has a close partnership with PINS focused largely on the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of endangered sea turtles. Dr. Donna Shaver and other partners at PINS rescue sea turtles and triage a portion of them for treatment at the Aquarium's Wildlife Rescue Center. The Aquarium assists with record-keeping, transport, and release of sea turtles as well.

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  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service


    This federal agency is dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats, and is therefore a close partner of the Aquarium for the protection and conservation of our nation's wildlife, particularly federally-protected species such as sea turtles and migratory birds. The Aquarium maintains permits with USFWS for the exhibition and rehabilitation of wildlife and partners with them on wildlife releases.

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  • Texas Game Wardens


    Texas Game Wardens are our fully-commissioned peace officers and focus largely on conservation including the enforcement of fishing, hunting and boating safety laws. Texas Game Wardens are regular partners with the Aquarium on the rescue and release of ill and injured wildlife, including bringing animals in need to our Wildlife Rescue Center and assisting with releases. Our partnership can be seen frequently on Animal Planet's program "Lone Star Law."

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