Bay Ecotarium
Bay.org dba the Bay Ecotarium is the largest watershed conservation organization in San Francisco and is an amalgam of six institutions, united under one mission to protect and conserve the Bay Area ecosystems. Human impact and environmental changes have put a strain on the ecological balance, and the Bay Ecotarium works towards preserving the natural environment for future generations. We focus on changing the conversation about conservation from a position of scarcity to that of abundance and from fear to opportunity.
Mission
Our mission is to protect, restore, and inspire conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed, from the Sierra to the Sea.
Institutions
Aquarium of the Bay
Located on San Francisco’s bustling waterfront at PIER 39, the Aquarium opened in 1996 and hosts 500,000 guests annually. Featuring animals found in Bay area habitats, guests enjoy up-close encounters with more than 20,000 invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
The Bay Institute
Established in 1981, The Bay Institute develops and leads scientific research, education, environmental policy, and advocacy initiatives that have a major impact on the health of the San Francisco Bay watershed.
Sea Lion Center
Located beside PIER 39’s K Dock, the Sea Lion Center celebrates the boisterous colony of California Sea Lions that congregate on the marina docks. Naturalists present complimentary interactive programs focused on the ecology and natural history of these popular marine mammals.
EcoCenter at Heron’s Head Park
This landmark environmental education center is a living classroom dedicated to environmental justice, green building, and making better use of natural resources to foster healthy ecosystems, economies, and communities.
Bay Model Alliance
This eight-acre education center, conceived by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1957, includes a working hydraulic model of the Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta system, brings the Bay to life through educational programs, lectures, films, and seminars.
Bay Academy
The Bay Academy consolidates and archives all Bay Institute and other educational Bay-focused publications, citations and editorials into a cohesive, easily accessible database. Production is underway to publish a series of Bay Eco books, both in print and as eBooks. Also, the Academy is engaged in developing and designing curriculum-based e-learning modules for teachers and students. Additional planning includes podcasts, blogs, streaming videos, EcoCurrent newsletters, environmental posters and other educational resources that will be created and compiled by the Academy.
