Great Lakes Aquarium awash in prosperity

I read Randy Maiers' Tuesday column, “Economic strategy should include acceptable risks,” with interest. As executive director of the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, Minn., I was surprised by this statement: “… the Great Lakes Aquarium struggles with attendance and budget problems.”

I don't remember a call from Mr. Maiers about our current financial position and attendance figures. If he had called, I would have said, yes, the aquarium did experience a couple of rocky years following a two-year honeymoon after its July 2000 debut.

Financial and management issues and over-inflated attendance forecasts kept us from reaching our full potential. Things changed in early 2008. Since then, we've experienced steady growth in attendance and revenue.

As a matter of fact, all indications point to a banner year this year when we expect to pass the 140,000-visitor mark, our highest yearly attendance since 2002. A leading tourist, cultural and educational draw in Duluth, we continue to hold the distinction of the city's No.1 paid attraction.

The only public funding we receive is a relatively small portion of the city's tourism tax receipts. This revenue makes up 15% of our budget, compared to an average of 40% to other zoos and aquariums in the United States.

Our mayor and city council are big boosters of the aquarium and recognize the hard work our staff and Board have put into turning our operation around.

Later this month, we will open a new invasive species exhibit, which is drawing national media attention from Beaumont, Texas, to Greenwich, Conn. The exhibit represents a significant collaboration between the aquarium, government (federal, state, and local) conservation efforts, academia, and area educators and scientists.

We have earned our reputation for building partnerships and for offering our community first-class educational opportunities that encourage environmental stewardship and exploration.

Good luck, Port Huron, in finding the right driver for your economic engine. We at the aquarium agree that local government sparks the plugs, but the gas comes from the will, hard work, and dreams of the people it represents.

JACK LaVOY

Executive Director

Great Lakes Aquarium

Duluth, Minn.

Howie Blog » Great Lakes Aquarium offers two new summer camps for ...

. Registration deadline: June 1

Join fishing experts from DNR MinnAqua Program, Arrowhead Fly Fishers, and Great Lakes Aquarium to learn how to fly fish. This program is open to youth ages 11-15 and an adult partner. At the weekend camp, participants will learn techniques for fly tying and fly casting, as well as how to “read” the water.

Practice sessions are planned in warm and cold water settings. Equipment and materials are provided; no previous experience is necessary.

“Participants will build lifelong fishing skills,” said Nadine Meyer , aquatic education specialist, Minnesota DNR MinnAqua Program. “It’s also a great opportunity for kids to connect with the outdoors and their adult mentor during the experience.”

Animal Care Day Camp . Registration deadline: June 6

Participants will take an active role in animal care. Activities include preparing meals, keeping the exhibits clean, testing the water quality, and creating enrichment toys for otters, birds and more.

“We want to offer an experience to our community that is unique to our facility,” said Jillian Godfrey , an educator at the Aquarium. “It is a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at everything it takes to keep our animals healthy and happy.”

SCUBA Camps . Registration deadlines: June 27 for July class; July 18 for August class

Participants will explore the science behind diving and use their newly learned skills at an open warm water dive. They will learn about diving techniques, gear, and diving safety with a PADI certified dive master. Participants will also learn what happens to the human body when it is under the water, and to identify fish and creatures they’ll encounter on their dive.

For more information about the Fly Fishing Camp, contact Jay Walker at 218/740-2011 or jwalker@glaquarium.org

For more information about the Animal Care Camp or SCUBA Diving camps, contact Jillian Godfrey at 218/740-2000 or jgodfrey@glaquarium.org.

Great Lakes Aquarium is the only freshwater aquarium in the U.S. Located on Duluth’s waterfront, it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Aquarium features animals and ecosystems from the Great Lake Basin and around the world.

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