We are incredibly passionate about conserving the world’s waters to ensure the future of the species that depend upon them.
As a centre for education and conservation, we support conservation charities, host our own conservation activities onsite and most importantly, raise awareness of key issues. Bristol Aquarium aims to inspire the next generation to care about conservation and ensure we continue working together to preserve the world’s waters.
Artwork of the River Frome
from Bristol Avon River Trust
Don’t miss this lovely exhibition from in our foyer the next time you visit!
This exhibition forms part of a project led by Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, which aims to connect local communities with their river, the Bristol River Frome.
Working with primary schools and community groups along the Frome, BART delivered river-themed art workshops and educational sessions focused on learning about the river and its environment. They also collaborated with artists based across the Bristol Avon catchment to create a series of sculptures, originally for their Art in the Park event.
Come and visit the exhibition and celebrate the artworks on display with us!
As well as showcasing their work with the local community, we’re very happy to regularly host BART in the Aquarium to provide them meeting and planning space for their vital work improving our local rivers.
Conservational charities
Here at Bristol Aquarium, we work to raise both awareness and valuable funds on behalf of many conservation charities that eco our ethos. We utilise our platform, where we welcome thousands of visitors every year, to educate our visitors on their campaigns to help grow their supporter base. You can learn more about these charities and how to support or donate from signage around the aquarium.
Festival of Nature
The Festival of Nature is the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world, uniting organisations, thinkers and visitors of all ages to join together and learn about the incredible progress being made in the natural sciences.
As well as being a sponsor we are proud to feature every year at their Wild Weekend in Millennium Square as well as hosting loads of fantastic talks, films events in our Bristol Megascreen!
Find out more
BART
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is a charity which delivers education, land and river management advice and practical river restoration work throughout the Bristol Avon catchment.
They aim to re-connect communities to their local rivers and help them to better appreciate and improve them for the benefit of people and wildlife.
BART aims to conserve and enhance the status of our waterbodies for current and future generations.
You can explore art from their recent Art in the Park project in our foyer when you visit!
Find out more
Shark Trust
Many sharks are listed as threatened species, and conserving these incredible animals is becoming increasingly important to protect their future. From signing petitions to banning shark finning and hosting your own shark egg case hunt, there are so many ways to get involved with Shark Trust.
We have signed the BIG SHARK PLEDGE, and you can do the same via their website.
Find out more
The Seahorse Trust
The Seahorse Trust works to conserve the natural coastlines that seahorses call home, understand this wonderful marine creature better and ensure they survive for generations to come. Coastal areas are subject to damage as a result of human activity, including ocean pollution, so this charity aims to preserve these areas for seahorses and other species that rely upon them for survival.
Find out more
More supported charities at Bristol Aquarium
Bristol Aquarium promotes several other conservation charities throughout the year, educating visitors and supporting their conservation journey. Recent charities we’ve supported include:
The National Lobster Hatchery
A marine conservation, research and education charity based in Padstow, Cornwall, UK
Froglife
A national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles – frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards – and saving the habitats they depend on.
Surfers Against Sewage
A grassroots environmental charity that campaigns to protect the ocean and all it makes possible.
Captive breeding and behind the scenes research
Captive breeding and research play an important role in our conservation efforts at Bristol Aquarium. Not only is it an excellent indicator of the health of our marine creatures, but it also helps us understand their behaviours and enhance marine education for visitors. By following ethical practices in breeding and research, we’re helping ease pressure on wild populations and protect species for future generations.
Our captive breeding programme has been a success for many marine animals, including jellyfish, sharks, rays and seahorses.
How you can help
What can you do to help us work towards the conservation of marine life and the oceans? You can start small – even the tiniest of changes can make a huge difference!
Here are some ideas:
- Switch off the lights when you leave a room
- Get involved in beach cleans or clean up Bristol Harbour
- Swap single-use plastics for reusable items
- Donate or raise money for conservation charities
If you feel like you want to do more, get in touch with local charities and see if they are running citizen science events. Many charities run them throughout the year. One that we love to get involved with is the Shark Trust’s Great Eggcase Hunt!
