When people think of the Fresno Aquarium project, they often picture native freshwater species—river fish, wetlands, and the living systems that define California’s Central Valley. That foundation is essential. Our rivers shape our communities, our agriculture, and our history. But Fresno’s water story does not end inland. Every drop that flows past our property along the San Joaquin River ultimately connects us to the ocean.

That’s why the future Fresno Aquarium will do something powerful: bring the ocean to Fresno—without the long drive to the coast and back again.

For more than 25 years, the nonprofit Aquarius Aquarium Institute has delivered hands-on aquatic science education directly to classrooms through programs like Teaching Tidepools®. Students meet live marine animals, explore adaptations, and discover how coastal ecosystems function—even though many have never stood on a beach or explored a tide pool in person. The Fresno Aquarium will greatly expand this impact by creating a permanent home where marine science can be experienced year-round, not just during a classroom visit.

Ocean exhibits will introduce visitors to California’s rocky shores and intertidal life, while also opening a window into vibrant coral reef ecosystems from around the world. Together, these experiences will help students and families understand how life in the ocean works, why it matters, and how inland choices affect coastal environments.

By combining native freshwater experiences with immersive ocean education, the Fresno Aquarium will elevate and extend everything Aquarius Aquarium Institute already does—allowing future visitors to learn about our coast, our oceans, and our shared responsibility to protect them, all right here in Fresno.