Winter 2018 VAQ by Virginia Aquarium

WINTER 2018

Virginia Aquarium Quarterly Member Magazine

MARSH RENOVATIONS LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PLANS!

MERMAIDS IN MARCH GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

MEMBERSHIP QUICK FACTS HOURS OF OPERATION

9 –5 AM

CONTACT INFORMATION (757) 385-0279

VirginiaAquarium.com Membership@VirginiaAquarium.com

Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas

DAILY ADMISSIONS PER MEMBERSHIP LEVEL The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science

INDIVIDUAL

FAMILY

INDIVIDUAL + 1

FAMILY + 1

Center’s mission is to inspire conservation of the marine environment through education, research and sustainable practices. WINTER 2018, VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1 VAQ is published four times a year by the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation located at 717 General Booth

MEMBERSHIP PERKS Behind-the-Scenes Sea Turtles | $15 Above & Beyond | $15

Blvd., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451. EDITORS Matthew Klepeisz, Taylor Saunders

Discounts Cafe | 10% off Aquarium stores | 10% off Additional admission tickets | $18 & $12

Cardholder must be present during each visit. Philanthropic membership is also available through our Giving Societies. Learn more at www.VirginiaAquarium.com/join.

ADVISOR Caryl Thompson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ashley Laginestra CONTRIBUTORS Barb Beverage, Brian Roosa, Karen Burns, Cecelia Campbell, Trish Carrier, Sarah Dawson, Amber Giancola, Lisa Grigolite, Jennifer Hill, Vicki Krauter, Mary McCarthy, Michael Mizell, Jennie Olivari, Alexis Rabon, Shawn Reid, Taylor Saunders, April Strickland, Jeff Thompson, Karolyn Walker, Chris Witherspoon

We care about conservation VAQ is printed with soy-based inks on post-consumer recycled paper.

MEET

SANTA

SATURDAYS 11am | Scuba Santa

SUNDAYS

11am | Scuba Santa 12–3pm | Sundays with Santa

DECEMBER 10 & 17 Member Exclusive 8:30–10am | Donuts & Cocoa with Santa

Please remember to recycle VAQ when you’re finished reading & sharing it.

DECEMBER 24

2pm | Cruise with Claus

Check our program & events guide on page 12 for more details.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Change

The future is bright & full of exciting animals!

Kids Page

Cold Weather Corner

Mermaids

Swimming to the Aquarium in March!

4 5

Bacteria!

Before Adding Fish, We Need to Add Bacteria

Upcoming Special Events | These events sell out quick. Get your tickets now! All Thanks to Owls Creek | Being located on a water source is important!

Programs & Events Guide | You won't want to miss these!

Gift Guide | Need a unique gift this holiday season? Check our stores!

Rainbow Darters | Meet our newest Upland Stream residents!

Volunteer Spotlight | Get to know a stellar store volunteer.

On the cover We have Marsh Pavilion renovations in the works and the river otter exhibit will be a part of the updates. WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

Upcoming Events Mermaid Balee’s Bubblee Boutique March 26 & April 2 | 4:30-6pm $100 per child

Join Mermaid Balee and friends for this extraspecial event with a very limited number of spaces! Mermaid Balee’s Bubblee Boutique will immerse your 4 to 10 year old child in the world of mermaids with a unique salon treatment fit for the sea! Participants will receive a mermaid make over while enjoying snacks fit for a mermaid and participating in mer-activities. Then to top it off, they will be treated to extraordinary viewing of the mermaids inside the Red Sea Tunnel.

Valentine's Day Dinner February 10, 12, 14 | 7pm $189 per person

The boutique is $100 per child, which includes Mermaid Monday activities. Ticket price for accompanying adult is $22.95 (member) and $32.95 (non-member) which includes mermaid viewing and Mermaid Monday activities at the conclusion of Mermaid Balee’s Bubblee Boutique. Tickets will be available December 15, 2017.

Make your reservation early for one of the most memorable dining experiences in Hampton Roads. But be sure to hurry; seating is extremely limited. Your evening will begin with valet parking, a professional photograph, passed hors d'oeuvres, and a complimentary cocktail before you are escorted to your selected dining location, ensconced in aquatic life. Enjoy the ambiance of the aquariums, be serenaded by a roaming musician, and conclude your night with a champagne toast and custom chocolates for the ride home. There are only three evenings for you to experience this one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day. On Saturday, February 10th, Monday, February 12th, or Wednesday, February 14th. Tickets will be available December 15, 2017.

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018

icke T d e t i Lim

ts!

FEATURE

All Thanks to Owls Creek By Brian Roosa Where does all the water for the Virginia Aquarium come from? The answer is closer than you might think! The Virginia Aquarium has the great fortune of having access to water from Owls Creek. This water is low salinity saltwater because it is pumped from an area where the creek mixes with the Atlantic Ocean. The lower salinity is very similar to the Chesapeake Bay where multiple rivers and streams also mix with the Atlantic. Because of this, Owls Creek is an ideal water source for the Aquarium’s Chesapeake Bay species. But what about the other exhibits? Salt is added to the Owls Creek water for those that require a higher salinity, such as the Red Sea exhibit. The water from Owls Creek must first be filtered and sterilized before it can be used in the Aquarium’s exhibits, and this responsibility belongs to the Virginia Aquarium’s Life Support Team. Each day, a new 10,000 gallon batch of Owls Creek water is pumped into an underground tank that is only used for treating this

“raw” or “wild” water. After the water is filtered and sterilized, it is then transferred to one of the three other underground tanks. Processing Owls Creek water is accomplished by first pumping it from the creek to a drum filter which removes larger particles suspended in the water like pollen and dust. Next, a sand filter removes small particles like spores, algae, and

"Each day, a new 10,000 gallon batch of Owls Creek water is pumped into an underground tank..." bacteria. Then a protein skimmer removes even smaller items like proteins and fats.. The final step is sterilization. Ozone gas is applied to the water for about 16 hours to ensure that water used in our exhibits is free of bacteria, parasites, and other disease causing agents. With over 800,000 gallons of aquariums, our exhibits require about 50,000 gallons of treated Owls creek water each week. That’s a lot of water!

Ozone is O3 , which is oxygen plus an additional oxygen atom. WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

CHANGE is on the way! By April Strickland

or 31 years, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center has invited visitors to dive into the wonders of the marine environment. We wanted to share a sneak peek into our plans with our members before we formally announce our new Capital Campaign in the springâ&#x20AC;Ś

Exciting Future Plans The 20 year-old Marsh Pavilion will soon be reimagined, both inside and out. Visitors will enter through a new outdoor 5 admissions plaza into a beautiful lobby and gift shop. Guests continue their adventure in the Dreyfus Family Jellies Exhibit Gallery where they will be surrounded by a pulsating frenzy of jellies.

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018

This mesmerizing gallery will be full of aquariums showcasing these beautiful animals. The otter exhibit, a guest favorite, will receive an exciting redesign, providing these curious mammals with more enrichment opportunities and guests with new views of their favorite Marsh Pavilion residents. A new cafĂŠ, adjacent to the exhibit, will allow visitors to sit and enjoy lunch as they watch the otters interact. Keeping in mind our youngest visitors, we have created 4 designed soft-play zone for infants and a specially toddlers. Parents and guardians will have a comfortable place to sit and rest while their little ones play. Those looking for more can head to the Brock Exploration Gallery, which will include a touch pool,

Super Animals | Learn about the amazing adaptation of marine invertebrates at the Brock Exploration Gallery. a build-an-invertebrate station, and an exciting new addition: the Giant Pacific Octopus! Guests of all ages will have fun as they peer through Windows to Exploration, a wall of windows into our veterinary wing! Plus, join in on the action: “suit up” in lab coats and practice veterinary care on plush animals. The new Veterinary Care Center will also allow guests to observe veterinary care as it’s provided for the animals at the Virginia Aquarium.

Heading Outdoors Venturing outdoors, visitors will step into a giant model of a watershed in the Batten Watershed Gallery, as they learn through interactive play. A cloud curtain that produces water for the mountain stream and water play stations are scattered around where children can learn about the properties of water. Learn about

composting, recycling, and making “green” choices in everyday life at the Rain Garden and House exhibit. As you follow the water downstream, it enters the ocean where little ones will delight in the model animals swimming in the ocean as they “fish” from a model of a classic dead rise boat. 1 Adjacent to the watershed, guests will find a new outdoor play area allowing children to climb and slide like the otters just a few steps away. Walk a little further and visitors arrive at the Hendrix Outdoor Exploration Theater, where guests may observe animal ambassadors and engage in education sessions. The new theater will also be available for private rentals for outdoor events.

We hope you enjoyed this sneak peek, and that you’re ready to help us continue growing forward. In our next issue, you will learn about how you can participate in our campaign and renovation!

D Jellies | The Dreyfus Family Jellies exhibit gallery brings you face to jelly with many different species.

WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

$22.95RS

E B M E M

SOON!

VIRGINIA TICKETSQUARTERLY | WINTER 2018 RAQUARIUM

BUY YOU 8

FEATURE

Mermaids in March By Matt Klepeisz The tail sits at the edge of the water, gently swaying. You can see the perfect outline of it: fish-like, but larger. It is almost time for Mermaid Mondays, and the anticipation is building by the minute! This year, you don’t have to wait as long for mermaids: Mermaid Mondays will now be on Monday evenings in March! Mermaid Mondays return with a new slate of exciting offerings. Happening from 6 to 9 p.m., this afterhours event gives you a chance to talk with a real, live mermaid as she swims in the Red Sea Aquarium. Don’t worry about the crowds; these dated, timed tickets give you a guaranteed sighting without fighting a crowd. You will be one of a handful of people inside the tunnel during your scheduled time. Each year, we get the chance to borrow these incredible mermaids from their ocean home and help show the world that mermaids DO exist! This family-friendly good time includes access to the entire Aquarium, story time with a mermaid, an exciting new mermaid puppet show, an oceanthemed musical performance, and even more to be announced. Tickets for the event will be available December 15, 2017, and are $22.95 for members, $32.95 for non-members. If you are looking for even more mermaids, Mermaid Balee will once again be hosting her Bubblee Boutique, an exciting, exclusive boutique opportunity for our littlest mermaid guests to spend some time with our mermaids, get their mermaid hair and makeup, and take pictures before the event. Tickets for Mermaid Balee’s Bubblee Boutique are incredibly limited, so purchase yours soon and guarantee your spot!

NOW IN M

ARCH

WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

SAVE 40% IN DECEMBER ONLY

GIVING TREE Our animals love presents too! Visit our Amazon Wish List for some unique ideas.

Purchase or renew your membership & receive a 40% off coupon good for Aquarium store purchases or future standard memberships. Coupon received with membership cards

bit.ly/VAQWishList

Holiday Favorites RETURN TO THE BIG SCREEN Members $5 | Non-Members $7.95 Elf December 2 | 6:30pm

A Christmas Story December 16 | 6:30pm

Polar Express

December 15 | 6:30pm Free Member-Exclusive Event December 17 | 4pm Free Member-Exclusive Event December 20â&#x20AC;&#x201C;23 | 4pm December 24 | 2pm

For more information & tickets visit VirginiaAquarium.com/visit/movies

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018

WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

Programs & Events Guide DECEMBER - FEBRUARY 2018 | DETACH AND KEEP FOR QUICK REFERENCE!

SPECIAL EVENTS Special events are free with admission, unless otherwise noted.

SCUBA Santa

Saturdays & Sundays | Through December 17 | 11am See Santa as he dives in our Red Sea Tunnel with our zebra shark and spotted eagle rays. Red Sea Aquarium

Sundays with Santa Nov. 26 & Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24 | 12–3pm Join Santa and his elves for festivities and fun activities. Marsh Pavilion

Donuts & Cocoa with Santa MEMBER EXCLUSIVE! December 10 & 17 | 8:30–10am Enjoy donuts and cocoa; snap a photo and visit with our very jolly special guest! Reservations required. Call (757) 385-3474 (option 3). $12 children | $8 adults Marsh Pavilion

Dragons! January 20 & 21 | 9:30am–1:00pm Whether your favorite dragon is a Komodo or Puff the Magic Dragon, we will be celebrating them all! Meet our Komodo dragon keepers and try your hand at some famous dragon trivia. Classroom | Bay & Ocean Pavilion

Volunteer Open House January 25 | 4–5pm Department representatives will be available to answer your questions and you just may meet an animal or two! Youth, adult and intern positions are available. Call 757-385-0274 or email aquavols@virginiaaquarium.com for more information. Bay & Ocean Pavilion

E-Cycling January 27 | 9am–12pm Visit our website for a list of approved electronics item. We will also be collecting household hazardous waste.

Mermaid Balee’s Bubblee Boutique March 26 & April 2 | 4:30–6pm Receive the full beauty treatment and enjoy a special encounter with the mermaids! Reservations required. Call 757-385-3474 (option 3). Price includes Mermaid Monday activities. $100 per child | $22.95 Parent Member $32.95 Parent Non-member Bay & Ocean Pavilion

Easter Bunny Encounter March 24, 25 & 31 | 11am–2pm Meet Esther the Easter Bunny, snap a photo and receive a rainforest-safe treat! Bay & Ocean Pavilion

Toddler Programs These specially designed programs help encourage life long learning and are included with admission.

Toddler Tuesdays

Aquarium East Parking Lot

Every Tuesday | 10am, 11am & 12:30pm

Polar Express Pajama Party

Extreme Experiments

December 15, 2017 | 6:30pm Wear your favorite holiday pajamas and enjoy a showing of the modern day holiday classic, Polar Express! Seating is limited and reservations are required. Please call 757-385-3474 (option 3) Bay & Ocean Pavilion

Bring your little ones for this ageappropriate program that includes story time, songs, and activities.

Be a scientist for a day! Aquarium guests can engage in fun experiments that can be replicated at home with a few simple supplies. Classroom | Bay & Ocean Pavilion

Countdown to 2018 December 31 | 11am–1pm Children and adults get ready for the New Year! Join us for contests, games, activities, and treats! Marsh Pavilion

Here Be Dragons Member Preview

February 10 & 11 | 11am–3pm

Mermaid Mondays March 5, 12, 19, 26 & April 2 | 6–9pm See a mermaid up close and in person! Sightings are guaranteed. Registration required. Call 757-385-3474 (option 3). $22.95 Members | $32.95 Non-members Bay & Ocean Pavilion

January 20 | 8–9:30am Join us for a member exclusive preview of our newest changing exhibit before it opens to the public. Changing Exhibits Gallery

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018

Marsh Pavilion

Toddler Trek Every Thursday | 10am & 11am Join us for an exploration session for early learners to discover a new animal, color, and shape through fun outdoor activities. Takes place inside during inclement weather. Marsh Pavilion

Puppet Shows December 19, January 16, February 20 10am, 11am & 12:30pm On the third Tuesday of every month, our Toddler Tuesday features a live-action puppet show to accompany our story time. Marsh Pavilion

S.T.E.A.M.

UPCycling

Boat Trips

Geared for ages 3–7 and focused on integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Reservations required. Call (757) 385–0278 or email programs@virginiaaquarium.com to register. $7 Members; $9 Non-members

Geared for ages 4-10, this program teaches conservation while making an item using recyclable and non-recyclable items. Reservations required. Call (757) 385-0278 or email programs@ virginiaaquarium.com to register. $7 Members; $9 Non-members.

Virginia Aquarium boat trips engage adults, families and student groups in coastal marine ecology by providing opportunities to observe dolphins, whales, and other marine life in their natural habitat. Sightings not guaranteed.

Ewwww, Germs! December 6 & 13 | 3:30–4:30pm

Spiders!

Germs and bacteria are incredibly small. Come discover the ways our bodies protect us from germs and things we can do to help our bodies stay healthy.

Spiders are a great natural pest control. Come learn about spiders and how important they are to the food webs.

December 12 | 3:30–4:30pm

Whales & Wildlife December–March Check website for dates, times, and special trips. Join us for a 2-2.5 hour encounter to search for some of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures that visit Virginia’s coastal winter waters: whales, dolphins, seals, & sea birds.

Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

Chemical Reactions

Renewable Energy

December 20 & 27 | 3:30–4:30pm

December 19 | 3:30–4:30pm

Experiment by mixing household items together while learning why some things react with each other and others do not.

Learn about different renewable energy resources while creating a simple machine that is powered by water.

Cruise with Claus

Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

December 24 | 2pm

It’s Cold!

Fine Print

January 3 & 10 | 3:30–4:30pm

January 9 | 3:30–4:30pm

Learn what happens to objects when the temperature drops to below freezing and how animals have adapted to staying warm in the cold.

We all know paper is recyclable, but it requires extra energy and resources to recycle it. Join us as we learn how to make our own recycled paper using fewer resources.

Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

What Makes Me Unique January 17 & 24 | 3:30–4:30pm Learn about genetics and DNA with hands-on activities and experiments while helping us solve a mystery using fingerprints. Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

Potential Energy February 7 & 14 | 3:30–4:30pm Discover the importance of gravity and how it works while creating a roller coaster using recycled straws. Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

Bird’s Nest February 21 & 28 | 3:30–4:30pm Bird’s carefully build their nests to protect their eggs and baby hatchlings. Learn how birds build nests depending on their needs while engineering a nest to protect an egg. Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

$26 Members, $28 Non-members Aquarium Dock

Seeing whales at the top of your holiday list? Set sail aboard the Atlantic Explorer for a 2-2.5 hour special boat trip with Captain Santa at the helm. Advanced ticket sales encouraged. Call (757) 385-3474 (option 3) for reservations or book online. $26 Members, $28 Non-members Aquarium Dock

Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

Hold the Straw, Please January 23 | 3:30–4:30pm Single use plastics like straws are accumulating in the environment. Join us and learn how these plastics effect the environment while creating a craft that repurposes straws. Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

Even Snakes February 13 | 3:30–4:30pm We love all animals including snakes. Join us for hands-on activities and experiments about snakes and reptiles. Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

What’s the Buzz February 27 | 3:30–4:30pm Bee’s and other pollinators are very important to the production of food. Join us as we learn about bees and create a mason bee-hive using recycled items. Discovery Room | Marsh Pavilion

Carefully detach and enjoy the otter poster on the other side once you've been to all our events!

WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018

Your holiday

Gift Guide For the tea-lover

Backpack

$10.99

$69.99

Sea Turtle $9.99

Secret Santa Tervis Tumbler $22.99

Scarf $14.99

Wallet $34.99

Soap Rocks $12.99

Stocking Stuffers $8.99 $9.99

Don' t forget!

Members receive 10% off! WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

KIDS PAGE

r e n r o C r e h t a e W Cold Family Activity What do animals do when they are cold?

How do river otters keep warm swimming in cold water? In the winter, the water temperature drops and becomes very cold. Animals that live or swim in the water like river otters have to be able to stay warm. Let’s find out how river otters stay warm in cold water.

What You’ll Need Some animals like dogs and foxes grow thicker winter coats

Some birds like pelicans migrate to warmer locations

Scissors Pencil Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) Piece of paper Spray Bottle filled with water

Set-up Step 1: On construction paper, draw two river otters of the same size and cut them out. Step 2: Place a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the entire surface of one of the cut-outs. Step 3: Grasp the otter without petroleum jelly, spray the otter 3 times with the spray bottle. Step 4: Repeat this step with the otter covered in petroleum jelly. Did you notice a difference when you sprayed each otter with water?

What Happened? Harbor seals have more blubber in the winter to keep them insulated

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018

When river otters groom themselves and each other, oil is released from their skin onto their fur. When spraying the construction paper otters with water, the otter without petroleum jelly got wet while the otter with petroleum jelly did not. The petroleum jelly caused the water to bead up and roll off the otter keeping it dry. After grooming, the oil on an otter’s fur keeps the otter dry and warm when it is swimming.

ONLY Y OU CAN HE LP! Help the seals meet up to share lunch! But be careful. Trash & plastic are blocking some paths.

Finish

OTHER WAYS TO HELP... Refillable bottles are a good way to reduce plastic waste and help marine life.

Spot the Differences There are 5 differences between the snowglobes. Can you find them? Circle them as you spot them! Answers: Polka dots on the scarf, number of snowman's buttons, snowman's hat height, color of reindeer dress, number of reindeer points

a rt

WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

ANIMAL FEATURE

Rainbow Darters By Jeff Thompson Rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum) are one of the most colorful fish species native to Virginia. Exhibiting blue, green, and orange coloration, rainbow darters are a bright addition to the newly renovated Upland Stream exhibit. Rainbow darters are small: only growing to between 2” to 3”, so you will have to look closely in the aquarium to see them. Look for them perched amongst the rocks in the exhibit. From their perch, they will “dart” out to catch a food. Rainbow darters are native to the upper New River, the lower Tennessee River, and Big Sandy River drainages in Virginia. All of these rivers are found in the western mountains of Virginia. The ones residing in our exhibit came from Big Stony Creek in Giles County. We collected ours with assistance from graduate students at Virginia Tech’s fisheries department. Rainbow darters spawn from late February to mid-June, depending on the water temperature. Adults will pair off during the breeding season, with the male protecting a territory. Darters will bury their eggs in the stream substrate to protect them. Be sure to stop by the newly renovated Upland Stream exhibit, located between the Upland River Room and the Coastal River Aquarium, and check out these beautiful little fish!

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018

Actual size

A Flash of Color During breeding season, the rainbow darters are vivid colors of orange and blue. While they may be tiny, they live up to their colorful name!

FEATURE

But First, Bacteria! By Mary McCarthy So once an aquarium is full of water and all the life support is running properly, you can throw a bunch of fish in, right? Not quite! We’ve been talking a lot about what you can now see in the newly renovated Chesapeake Bay Aquarium, including the species of fish and new décor, but there’s an unsung hero that you’ll never see – bacteria. Aquatic animals produce waste in the form of ammonia, which can be harmful if levels get too high. All of our aquariums, no matter how big or how small, rely on bacteria to convert the waste into a safer compound, called nitrate. The population of bacteria in an aquarium is called the biological filter, and it’s arguably one of the most important parts of any aquarium. Setting up a new aquarium system can be tricky. The bacteria won’t grow until they have food, so it’s a balance between adding enough fish for the bacteria to grow but not so many fish that the water becomes toxic for the animals. Which fish (or other animals) matter, too – some species are more delicate and will only be added once the aquarium is better established.

What You Don't See There are millions of living organism you won't find on the identification cards at our exhibits: the bacteria that helps regulate water conditions for our fish!

WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

So how do we know how the bacteria in the tank are doing? That’s where our Water Quality Lab comes in. They test parameters such as pH, salinity, and alkalinity, and can detect compounds that tell us how healthy our bacteria are. Since the waste is ammoniabased, if the lab finds lots of ammonia, we know that there isn’t enough bacteria to break it down yet. Getting from ammonia to nitrate is actually a twostep process: ammonia gets converted to nitrite, and nitrite gets converted to nitrate. Phew! That’s a lot. But that’s what’s going on in every healthy system, whether in an aquarium here, or at your home, or in a river, or in the ocean. Our Water Quality Lab can detect ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels, so we know exactly what the system is doing and when it’s healthy to add more fish. People who have home aquariums will run simpler versions of these tests too. Aquarists here at the Aquarium actually grow bacteria in bins, so that we have a backup supply to help jump-start smaller systems to better accommodate the addition of new animals.

Fish waste & respiration make

AMMONIA

Bacteria feeds on ammonia to make

NITRITE

Nitrite turns into

Next time you see an aquarium, remember that it’s not just the critters you can see that are important – the organisms you can’t see are what make the whole system possible!

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018

NITRATE which is easily removed by changing the water

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Michael Mongin Stores Volunteer

Our store’s inventory team is stronger than ever thanks to the dedication of Michael Mongin. A native New Yorker, Mike moved to Virginia Beach in 1995 where he continued to work in retail for the Navy Exchange, from which he retired after 30 years. Mike’s desire to give back to the community and knowledge of the retail industry led him to the Virginia Aquarium. As a volunteer, Mike enjoys moving the merchandise between the stores and the off-site storage, as well as working with other store associates, all of whom agree that Mike goes above and beyond any expectations. When not donating his time to the Aquarium, Mike also volunteers with the Life Saver Program, which is operated by the Virginia Beach Police Department. He takes great pleasure in traveling with his wife Fran, watching his four grandchildren, gardening year round in his yard and taking care of his 1965 Mustang. The next time you purchase something in one of the Aquarium stores, you can thank Mike for delivering it!

Volunteer Open House

VO L U N T E E R O P E N H O U S E

January 25, 2018 | 4–5pm Meet in the Classroom at the Bay & Ocean Pavilion to learn how you can become a volunteer with us! WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

THANK YOU TO OUR PHILANTHROPISTS! Contributions from July - September 2017 | To donate visit www.VirginiaAquarium.com/SaveTheOcean

*Gifts of $100 or greater are listed. To see a complete list of contributors, visit VirginiaAquarium.com

AQUARIUM CONNECTION MEMBERS Sharon & William Banks Sarah & Will Beasley Michael Breitkreutz Bryce Burton Victoria & Phillip Dietz Cameron & Walker Dorroh Whitney & Jeff Fritz Susan Henderson Alyson & Fred Hughes Courtney & Andrew Kellam Patrick Kilhenny John Maskell Michelle & Steve McNaughton Maria Kitchin Moore Marianne & John Patterson Jennifer & William Rawlings Frances & Henry Richardson Tiffany & Dereck Russell Christie Sheats & John Maskell Kim & Willie Shepherd Traci & Brad Shoemaker Logan & Christopher Speaker

Allison & John Watson Christina & Lee Westnedge John White CONSERVATION SOCIETY MEMBERS Michael Dutton Seth Grant Stephanie Pope Kittip Prakalapakorn Kenneth Proud Lori Skowronski DONORS* Individuals Anonymous Mary Chubrick Via Truist Combined Federal Campaign of South Hampton Roads Thomas E. & Julie B. Fraim, Jr. Burr & Jennifer Henderson John P. Matson Allan Parker Kelli Petronis AquaPALS Superstar Howard Rodman Laura Schmidt

Make an endof-year tax deductible gift to your Virginia Aquarium today! The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a 501 (c) 3, tax exempt organization. All donations are tax deductible.

www.VirginiaAquarium.com/SaveTheOcean 22

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018

Your support is vital to the future of our conservation programs.

Corporate Kroger Norva Plastics The Oceanfront Inn Whole Foods Foundations DonorsChoose.org United Way of South Hampton Roads TRIBUTE GIFTS In Honor Of Jack McGregor Susan Park Castillo Melissa Hanson Kimberly Utter Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund In Memory Of Carolyn Smith Faye Adams & Ken Jessup Susan & Christopher Barber Doris & Norman Clo Edward A. Givens The Center for Arthritis & Rheumatic Diseases Linda Davis Violet Roenker Elizabeth Livernois

SEA TURTLES | ABOVE & BEYOND

$15

MEMBERS

$20 for Non-members | Visit VirginiaAquarium.com for more information.

Whales & Wildlife BOOK YOUR BOAT TRIP NOW

VAQboats.com | Members receive $2 off | December - March WINTER 2018 | VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY

717 GENERAL BOOTH BLVD VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23451 (757) 385-FISH VirginiaAquarium.com A PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA AQUARIUM & MARINE SCIENCE CENTER FOUNDATION

Postmaster: Please deliver by December 31, 2017

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums, and World Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

New Changing Exhibit

Opening January 20, 2018 Enter the world of dragons and see new animals!

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM QUARTERLY | WINTER 2018