The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 60 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to nearly 300 volunteers, which contribute 28,000 hours annually. While the pandemic challenged the Aquarium in profound ways, the team’s resilience and creativity led to new ways to connect with the community, and renewed optimism for the future. The Senior Aquarist for Ambassador Animals is responsible for the reptile, amphibian, bird, and small mammal collection, as well as animal use in educational programming and public presentations. This position supervises a team of aquarists in their