Aquarium Conservation Efforts
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium believes in building a world in which everyone takes an active part in protecting Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Because all life is interconnected, we believe that we can make choices that will build a sustainable world for nature and humankind alike. Education and conservation actions are key components in building a community of environmental stewards.
All that we do at the Aquarium – caring for animals, teaching the public, visiting schools, and building partnerships – is part of our strategy to build and support healthy ecosystems around our Living Planet.
There are many ways you can support and join our conservation efforts. Please read on to learn more, or click below to get involved.
Western Toad Project
The western toad is designated as a species of concern in Utah due to its limited range, combined with the arrival of chytrid fungus, which has been implicated in several population die-offs. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium works with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) Warmwater Fish Hatchery, Wild Utah Project, Wahweap Fish Hatchery, Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Denver Zoo, and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo to perform regular surveys of Western toad populations throughout the state of Utah.
Based on partnership protocols, the Aquarium is working to retain a reserve population in case of extirpation (local extinction) of the species, as well as attempting captive breeding. If successful, the reared eggs will be returned to the UDWR for further propagation or release into the wild.
For updates on the project, click here.
Species Survival Plan Programs
Sustainable Food
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® Program
This program helps consumers and businesses choose seafood that’s fished or farmed in ways that support a healthy ocean now, and for future generations. Their recommendations found on their website and The Seafood Watch App, indicate which seafood items are Best Choices or Good Alternatives, and which ones you should Avoid.
Fish are a primary food source for many animal species in the wild. The ocean is the great provider for ecosystems around the world. Like their cousins in the wild, many of the animals at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium rely on fish for their food. We support the efforts of Seafood Watch which makes recommendations to help you choose seafood that’s fished or farmed in ways that have less impact on the environment.
Vermilion Hospitality Group
We believe all food should be sourced in a sustainable manner and our catering partner, Vermilion Hospitality Group, upholds this standard in their daily operations. They source sustainable seafood, take steps to limit waste in the Living Planet Café and catering services, grow their own microgreens using aeroponic towers (growing plants without soil when weather allows), and utilize reusable or easily recyclable plating options whenever possible.
Reusable Energy & Water
Water Filtration
As an Aquarium in a landlocked state – the second driest in the nation – water is an extremely precious resource. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium makes every effort to recycle and reuse as much water as possible while maintaining high water quality standards in our exhibits. To do this, every system has its own recirculating system. Additionally, water is reused and shared between exhibits, starting with the more sensitive invertebrates like Jellies, Sea stars, Coral, and Sea urchins, then on to a variety of fish and shark exhibits, and finally on to the Gentoo penguins.
When the Aquarium exchanges water between systems, there is a dedicated recovery system to filter and sterilize the water before it enters a new exhibit. This process allows the sustainable reuse of water while ensuring the lowest water and salt usage possible.
Solar Panels
The Aquarium installed solar panel arrays on the roof of our current facility to help offset electrical needs. As we expand, so will the number of solar panels and our ability to produce more solar energy for our operations.
Thanks to Rocky Mountain Power and their Blue Sky Program
Environmental Impact
Event Network Gift Shop
Within our gift shop run by Event Network, we educate guests on the importance of keeping our oceans clean and plastic-free by providing a more sustainable and Earth-friendly shopping experience. From reusable water bottles (offered at a discounted price with any in-store purchase) to items made from upcycled or recycled goods, guests can choose from a wide variety of eco-friendly products that help promote a greener lifestyle.
We work closely with our vendors and suppliers to reduce the amount of single-use plastic used in the products, the packaging, and also in how it is shipped and delivered to the Aquarium. We do not use single-use plastic bags, which are one of the biggest polluters in our oceans, but instead, we offer reusable bags made from recycled plastic bottles at the register. Stop in to pick one up today and help preserve and protect our oceans.
EECO
After traveling the globe as U2’s stage during the band’s record-breaking 360° Tour, EECO – Ecosystem Exploration Craft & Observatory (formerly known as The Claw) – crowns our Science Learning Campus and is sustainably repurposed as a permanent Utah landmark and majestic symbol of science exploration, learning, and conservation. By acquiring this stage, the Aquarium is recycling 200 tons of steel.
You can help promote the sustainable reuse of this iconic sculpture and create the Science Learning Campus by making a donation or buying a brick or plaque to be displayed in front of or on top of the stage beneath the famous structure.
Recyclable Gloves
The Aquarium uses a lot of gloves every day for food preparation, animal habitat maintenance, and cleaning. We made the switch to recyclable gloves in 2018 by participating in the Kimberly-Clark “RightCycle” program. This change reduces the number of gloves sent to landfill by about 8.18 tons every year.
How it works
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Team Members use the gloves, and then they’re collected on-site and shipped to a recycling center. The materials are integrated into new eco-friendly products such as flower pots and patio furniture.