Aquarium Conservation Partnership Awarded Leadership Grant from Institute of Museum and Library Services

August 4, 2023

The Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) will receive more than $600,000 in federal funding to reduce carbon emissions nationwide through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Last year, ACP members joined forces to tackle climate change by making a joint commitment to reach carbon neutrality. 

The $661,376 grant awarded to ACP, through its fiscal sponsor Monterey Bay Aquarium, will fund an initiative to create an industry wide standard and tool to reduce carbon emissions in the daily operations of zoos and aquariums. 

“Finding new ways to reduce our carbon output is vital to the preservation of vulnerable ecosystems including our treasured Monterey Bay,” said United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19). “The research conducted at Monterey Bay Aquarium [and other aquariums] will advance our knowledge about the impacts of carbon emissions and foster innovative strategies to combat the harmful effects of climate change. Protecting natural habitats through sustainable practices is imperative to our collective efforts to ensure that our environment is alive and well for future generations.”

The grant will fund project activities including creating and testing a greenhouse gas inventory tool, developing toolkits for zoos and aquariums to use in creating messaging campaigns for public calls to action, and sharing the final greenhouse gas inventory tool along with staff training.

Participating zoos and aquariums will build plans and staff capacity to assess and reduce carbon emissions; engage, inspire, and mobilize climate actions while sharing tools to benefit the aquarium, zoo, and museum community.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced the selection of 19 projects for the highly competitive National Leadership Grants for Museums program.

“As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services, and collections. These institutions are trusted spaces where people can learn, explore and grow,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and enhance their communities.”