One of the largest indoor aquariums in the world, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is home to more than 32,000 animals and was the breathtaking site of Make It Better’s March/April cover and fashion photo shoots. You probably already know that Shedd is THE place in Chicago for families to visit and learn more about marine life, but here are five amazing things happening at Shedd that you may not have known about.
1. Shedd Aquarium is Doing its Part to Keep the Great Lakes Great
Chicago is just one of many cities nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, which provides impressive scenery, drinking water, employment and recreation. One of five, Lake Michigan is Chicago’s “Great Lake” and we depend on its health and therefore must protect it. Indeed, those that reside in the Great Lakes basin are part of 40 million people in the United States and Canada that depend on the lakes. Additionally, 3,500 plant and animal species — some found nowhere else on the planet — also call the Great Lakes home. By working with community partners and educating our local youth, Shedd Aquarium hopes to keep the lakes great now and into the future.
2. Great Lakes Action Days
Great Lakes Action Days (GLADs) are days or events dedicated to cleaning up and protecting our local environments. Whether by removing invasive plants from forest preserves or picking up foreign objects off beaches, GLADs provide volunteers the opportunity to give back to the wild places in our backyard. We’ve worked with major corporations like MillerCoors and Coca-Cola, as well a small volunteer organizations and local schools such as Walter Payton College Prep, Joliet College Wildlife Conservation, Latin Middle School, Jamieson Elementary School, Brook’s Middle School and Big Shoulders Fund. No matter the circumstance, every volunteer is making a positive impact on the Great Lakes.
3. Shedd Stewards
Shedd Stewards offers teens (grades 6 through 12) an opportunity to learn more about local ecosystems while participating in hands-on stewardship activities. Examples of recent program experiences include invasive buckthorn removal to restore forest habitats, canoeing on the Chicago River to learn about our waterways, and dandelion removal and exploration of how organic lawn care practices at Shedd contribute to the health of the Great Lakes.
4. High School Lake Ecology
High School Lake Ecology (HSLE) is a summer course that provides the brightest high school students with the opportunity to adventure through the Great Lakes and get hands-on experience with lake ecology and conservation. After several classroom sessions, the students make their way up to Lake Superior to camp, kayak, research and examine Great Lakes ecosystems. Led by Great Lakes experts, the course provides a learning opportunity that immerses students in Great Lakes conservation.
5. Internships
In addition to offsite learning opportunities, Shedd invites college students to join our Shedd team for seasonal internships. With focus areas ranging from animal care and water quality to volunteer services, Shedd’s interns help advance our mission.
Learn more about all of these opportunities here, and see Shedd Aquarium feature as the stunning backdrop to our fashion feature in the March/April issue of Make It Better magazine.
