The document outlines plans for a proposed aquarium in the Capital Region of New York. It would educate visitors about local aquatic life and conservation efforts through exhibits of Hudson River and Adirondack species. As a nonprofit, it aims to be an economic driver through tourism and collaboration with local universities and industries. The aquarium would feature exhibits on native species, American coasts, coral reefs and the impacts of climate change through interactive and immersive displays.

2. Why I am Here
 I am a mom
 I am an educator
 I love the ocean and
everything that goes with
 I want my children to have
a deep appreciation for the
Hudson River and the
ocean

3. Why You are Here
 Where we want to build it
 Where we are in the process
 What if anything I can do
 What the aquarium will have regarding
facilities and such (scope, exhibits)
 Target ages and audiences?
 Idle curiosity

4. "In the end, we will conserve only
what we love, we will love only
what we understand, and we will
understand only what we are
taught.“
- Baba Dioum, 1968

5. Our Vision
The Hudson River, in our backyard, a gateway to
the oceans and seas beyond

6. Our Values
 To nurture and ensure the
well-being of all the animals
in our care
 To educate visitors about the
plants and animals that rely
on our rivers and oceans for
their survival
 To conserve our Hudson River
Estuary for future generations

7. Our Mission Statement
To immerse visitors into the
aquatic diversity of the Hudson
River and the oceans beyond

8. Why the Capital Region?
 Crossroads of the Mohawk River
and the Hudson River
 Population > 1 million people and
expected to grow
 Visitors > 5 million people
 73 school districts and 21 colleges
and universities

9. Why Now?
 Following the lead of the College of Nanoscale
Science and Engineering (CNSE),
I
 an aquarium could foster collaboration between
the

public, state and federal government and private
industry
 in conservation efforts and aquaculture research
 The Governor recently hosted NY’s 1st Tourism
Summit designed to bring more visitors to New
York State
N
Y

10. Strengths/
Opportunities
 Nearest aquarium is 2 1/2
hours away
 Local municipalities are in the
process of revitalizing their
waterfronts
 Family friendly
 Millions of visitors annually
Weaknesses/Threats
 The capital funds needs to be
raised
 Improper planning and
development

11. Important Facts to Remember
 Aquariums are tourist magnets
 Aquariums are economic catalysts
 Aquariums improve quality of life for residents
Photo by Guy Schmidt via Flickr
Photo by Ron Cogswell via Flickr

12. Tourism Impact
 Tourism generates a
great deal of economic
impact
 More than 7.5M people
visited Warren County
in 2011
 An estimated 50% of
them stayed overnight
 More than 50% of the
visitors originate from
New York or New Jersey
Many of these tourists travel through the Capital Region to
get to their destinations in Lake George and the Adirondacks
Information provided by Warren County Tourism
Department

13. Tourism Impact continued
Second
Homes
6%
 Tourism generates jobs, more than
30,000 in the Capital Region and
Saratoga
 More than 5M people spent the
night in the Capital Region and
Saratoga in 2011
Lodging
20%
Transport
23%
Retail & Svc
Stations
19%
Recreation
4%
F&B
28%
We have the tourists let’s give
them another reason to stay
Information provided by NYS Department of
Economic Development

14. An Economic Engine
 Spending by visitors generates significant retail and
consumer services sales
 Direct and indirect job creation
 Temporary job creation

15. Lead by Example
 Constructed Wetlands to treat waste water
 Recycling Bins
 Compostable Toilets
 Organic Gardening
 Aquaculture and Coral Propagation
 Rain Collection System

16. Green Energy
 We strive to lead by example as a showcase of what green
technologies can do. Potential projects include:
 Solar heated water
 Geo thermal heated water
 Solar power
 Hydro-electric

17. Something for Everyone
 Evening lecture series
 Aqua After Dark
 Parent and me
 School Trips
 Workshops
 Family events

18. Educational Impact
• As a global leader in
nanotechnology, the Capital Region
needs to improve
Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math (STEM) education initiatives
 Young child’s play area exhibits and workshops
 School age programs and camp offerings during summer




and school vacations
High school exhibit interpreter program
College internships in fisheries, education and business
Homeschooler lecture and lab series
Distance learning

19. Collaboration
 University researchers
 Private industry
 DEC and other agencies
 Working with other museums
to enhance each other

20. Potential Sites
 Ideally located on the waterfront in
 Albany
 Cohoes
 Green Island
 Schenectady
 Troy

21. Introducing the creatures

22. An exhibit devoted to the aquatic native
species of NY from the Adirondacks to Long
Island and everywhere in between.

23. Adirondack Beauty
 Trout species
 Bass species
 Walleyes
 Land-locked salmon
 Muskies
 Northern Pike
 Frogs
 Crayfish

24. The Mighty Hudson
 Simulate moving boats up and down the Erie Canal
 Diamondback Terrapins
 Seahorse
 Sturgeon
 Oysters
 American Eels
 Newts

25. Sand Island
 Explore the geology of how Long Island was shaped
 Create a sand dune with wind
 Make waves
 Investigate the North Shore vs. South Shore
inhabitants
 Flounder
 Striped Bass
 Clearnose Skates
 Lobsters, crab species

26. Rocky Intertidal Touch Tanks
 Horseshoe Crabs
 Sea Urchins
 Whelks
 Clams
 Sponges
 Spider Crabs
 Hermit Crabs

27. An exhibit of American Species, from the Atlantic coast to the
Pacific coast

28. East Coast
 Explore the coast of Maine and
Chesapeake Bay
 Atlantic Puffins
 Harbor Seals
 Gray Seals

29. Gulf Coast
 Explore the Everglades and the Bayou
 American Alligators
 Roseate Spoonbills
 Fiddler crabs
 Whelks
 Shrimp

30. West Coast
 Explore a Kelp Forest
 Featuring:
 California Sea Lions
 Giant Pacific Octopus
 Rockfish species
 Invertebrates



sea stars
snails
urchins

31. This exhibit will showcase all the beauty that the ocean’s coral
reefs have to offer and the predators of the deep blue sea.

32. Coral Garden
 South Pacific Reef
 Caribbean Reef
 Captive bred species

33. Shark & Ray Splash Bay
 Interactive exhibit where guests will have the opportunity
to touch and feed animals

34. Ocean in Motion
 Sharks
 Eels
 Sea Turtle
 Schooling fish

35. Follow the impact our human species has on our natural
environment in this exhibit

36. Invasive Species Station
 Explore the effects that non-
native organisms have on their
native counterparts.
 Investigate how invasive
species entered their new
habitats
 Learn what you can do to help
protect native species
 Play an interactive game at one
of the kiosks

37. Future Exhibits to feature:
 This exhibit will change on a bi-annual basis
 Global climate change
 Pollution
 Bioaccumulation

38. It’s not just the fish

39. Lil’ Squirt Grotto
 An age-appropriate environment made
for the museum’s youngest visitors and
their grown-ups.
 Free timed tickets required during busy





times
Gross motor play area (marine themed)
A special viewing area allows young
guests to see the animals close-up.
Large sandbox
Mother’s Room
Non-circulating library

40. Marine Science Center
 Classrooms (can also be used for private parties)
 Wet Lab for dissections
 SMARTboard Technology
 Ceiling Mounted Projectors
 Distance Learning Lab

41. Trinket Trove Gift Shop
 A gift shop of unique and unusual marine- themed gifts

42. Shark Bites Cafe
 Featuring locally grown and produced items
 Snacks and light fare for children and adults
 Ability to cater events on premises

43. Lagniappe
something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure
 A 70,000 gallon pool with harbor seals and grey seals
at the aquarium‘s entrance
 Boardwalk style path over the constructed wetlands
 Shaded Picnic Area
 Sprinkler Park (Seasonal)

44. How we can do it

45. Where can the money come from?
 State Funding and Grants- Local Waterfront Revitalization





Grants
Federal Funding and Grants- Congressman Tonko’s Mighty
Waters Task Force
Private donors and foundations
Municipal Bonds
Fundraisers
Crowdfunding site

46. Tentative Plan over 8-10 years
 Acquire Not-for-profit Status
 Establish work groups
 Raise funds for feasibility study





and legal costs
Hire design team and
consultants
Raise funds for the master plan
Site Acquisition
Secure capital
Outreach
Construction
Design

47. A transformative
investment
in the Capital
Region’s future starts
here

48. What You Can Do Next
Volunteer
Stay in Touch
 Looking for individuals who can
 Follow our Albany Aquarium
commit 1-2 hours a month to
form working groups:
 Planning
 Marketing/ Outreach
 Fundraising
Facebook Page
 Follow us on Twitter
@AlbanyAqua
 Sign Up for our quarterly
newsletter
 Send us an e-mail at
AlbanyAquarium@yahoo.com