zoos and aquariums



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Supporting Michigan Libraries - 06/05/2025

Celebrating National Zoo and Aquarium Month

flamingos in water

The U.S. National Zoo and Aquarium Month is celebrated annually in June to recognize the role that zoos and aquariums play in the conservation and research of animal and fish species. We are encouraged to visit these locations to learn more about animals and marine life, and to support the work that they do to protect our planet's biodiversity. Zoos and aquariums are actively involved in breeding programs for endangered species and habitat restoration projects, as well as educational opportunities to learn about the importance of conservation. The eResources [ [link removed] ] in the Michigan eLibrary [ [link removed] ] (MeL) can help inform us about the history that surrounds these programs and the work that continues to happen every day.

*Endangered Species Act*

The Britannica School [ [link removed] ] entry, Endangered Species Act [ [link removed] ], a federal law passed in 1973, outlines the obligation of federal and state governments to protect all species threatened with extinction that fall within the borders of the United States and its territories. Additionally, in the *Related* section, learners can link to even more facts [ [link removed] ] about the Act.

In 2023, "Environmental Forum", a publication in Science Reference Source [ [link removed] ], printed the article, The Endangered Species Act at 50: Making the Statute More Effective [ [link removed] ]. In it, environmentalists, lawyers, professors, and other interested parties revisited the Act and addressed concerns such as funding, clarification of conservation goals, and meeting new challenges.

*Change Agents*

One example of conservation happening close to home is highlighted in a recent article [ [link removed] ] in "Michigan Blue" from MasterFILE Complete [ [link removed] ]. It explains the efforts of Detroit’s Belle Isle Aquarium and Belle Isle Conservancy to improve the 120-year-old aquarium for better habitat and house new species, including 3 endangered axolotls. Interestingly, aquariums have existed fewer than 200 years. In The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology [ [link removed] ] from the eBook High School Collection [ [link removed] ], we learn that the first known aquarium was created to study the argonaut (octopus) in1833 by a woman who had an intense curiosity of marine life.

*Library Aquariums*

If you’re housing a small tank in your school or public library, there are some great programming ideas around sustainability, science, and crafts shared in the article, Under the Sea: The Joy and Responsibility of Library Aquariums [ [link removed] ], from "School Library Journal" in Education Source [ [link removed] ].

For detailed articles on many of the species that appear on the current endangered list, reference the Encyclopedia of Endangered Species [ [link removed] ] in Science Reference Source.

*If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact **[email protected]* <[email protected]>* for help.*



Brought to you by Ann Kaskinen from the MeL Team

Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First. 

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MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only. 

The MeL project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.

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