Birch Aquarium

Birch Aquarium (Previously Birch Aquarium at Scripps, sometimes referred to as Scripps Aquarium or SIO Aquarium) is an aquarium and the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Birch Aquarium has an annual attendance of more than 439,000, including more than 40,000 school children, and features more than 3,000 animals representing 380 species. The hilltop site provides views of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus and the Pacific Ocean. The mission of the aquarium reads: "As the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, Birch Aquarium features the groundbreaking work of Scripps Oceanography and UC San Diego scientists through innovative exhibits and events. More than just an aquarium, Birch Aquarium offers hands-on learning opportunities and climate-based programming to 40,000-plus K-12 students each year on site, in schools and in the field.".