CARDIN TO HELP LAUNCH NATIONAL AQUARIUM CONSERVATION CENTER IN BALTIMORE

New center will expand marine conservation and education initiatives

Washington, DC – On Thursday, September 2 at 11:00am, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, will join state and local leaders, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to help officially launch the National Aquarium Conservation Center (NACC). The initial emphasis of the NACC will be on conservation areas including coastal ecosystems and watershed health, ocean health, environmental advocacy and ecological aquaculture.

The new National Aquarium Conservation Center already is partnering on scientific research efforts that will help protect vital ecosystems like the Gulf region affected by the BP oil spill. Through pioneering science and partnerships with like-minded organizations worldwide, the center is committed to conducting conservation research necessary to understand, interpret and explain aquatic ecosystems and to advocate for ocean health.

WHAT: Launch of the National Aquarium Conservation Center

WHO: U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin
Dr. Larry Robinson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere at the NOAA
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, City of Baltimore
Douglas F. Gansler, Maryland Attorney General
Senior officials from the National Aquarium in Baltimore

WHERE: National Aquarium, 501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland

http://www.aqua.org/directions.html

WHEN: Thursday, September 2 – 11:00am ET