Maritime Aquarium Receives Volunteer Engagement Award

Information via the Maritime Aquarium

NORWALK, CT — The Maritime Aquarium recently received the top volunteer engagement award at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' annual conference for its ECHO Teen Volunteer Corps.

According to a news release provided by the Norwalk aquarium, the award recognizes the aquarium's ability to engage volunteers on its overall mission and operation of the organization.

"To improve the future of our blue planet, we must prepare the next generation of environmental stewards with the tools needed to effect change," Tom Naiman, the aquarium's vice president of education, said in a news release. "Teens who participate in the ECHO Teen Volunteer Corps not only develop a deeper understanding of Long Island Sound, but interpersonal and leadership skills that will benefit them as advocates in the future. We're thrilled for this program to be recognized by AZA."

ECHO is a year-round program that focuses on the principles of education, conservation, heritage, and outreach.

Teens who participate in the program are educated about Long Island Sound, including key conservation efforts and the importance of it to the cultural heritage of our region, and how to best share their knowledge with the public, according to the aquarium.

The primary focus of the program has been marine debris, a significant local issue that teens can see firsthand when they visit their local beaches. From beach cleanups to developing materials for informational stations throughout the aquarium, teens gain responsibility as they move through the program, according to the facility.

To participate, teens must be 14-18 years old and currently enrolled in high school. Since the program began in the summer of 2021, 193 teens have completed 14,763 hours of community service.

The ECHO Teen Volunteer Corps was initiated in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

More information about volunteer opportunities at the aquarium is available at maritimeaquarium.org/volunteer.