World Turtle Day, May 23, is an annual celebration of turtles and tortoises, but it's also an occasion to raise awareness about their disappearing habitats around the world. Having thrived for more than 200 million years, these endearing creatures are certainly worthy of celebration and awareness. At Shedd Aquarium, you’ll find least 17 species of turtles that will connect you to the living world and, we hope, inspire you to make a difference. You can start in your own backyard—and maybe that’s the Great Lakes region.

Today, May 22, is International Biodiversity Day. Of the more than 1,500 species that you can see at Shedd, about 900 are fishes, almost equally divided between freshwater and marine species.

May 17 is Endangered Species Day. But we live among threatened and endangered plant and animal species every day. You might see them during a bird walk on the lakefront or on a hike through the Cook County forest preserves. You will see them swimming in Shedd’s exhibits and even growing in our gardens.

To celebrate International Migratory Bird Day—today!—we’re going to look at one of the most conspicuous migratory species that you’ll see on Shedd’s grounds. From its high-pitched trill to a flash of red on black to the surprising thunk on the back of your head, the red-winged blackbird is hard to ignore.

It’s Cinco de Mayo, a major celebration in Chicago. At Shedd Aquarium, you’ll meet some of Mexico’s most intriguing freshwater animals, like the ghostly blind cave fish and those tadpoles for life, axolotls, in the Islands and Lakes gallery. The iguana habitat in this gallery features reef fishes you’d find if you were diving off Cozumel or Yucatan.

Your seafood choices can have a big impact on the health of our oceans and lakes – so make sure they’re positive ones! Every month, Shedd’s Right Bite team highlights a sustainable seafood option that’s good for you and our planet. The Fish of the Month for May is Pacific halibut, which is on Shedd’s “best choice list” for sustainability.

We’re working at it. Shedd is home to a variety of threatened and endangered mantella frogs, all native to small—and ever-shrinking—ranges in Madagascar.

When was the last time you spent 9,000 hours doing something you love? Two of Shedd’s volunteers, Bob Lippold and Lori Wheeles, have given that much service to the aquarium, which divides out to 1,125 eight-hour days, and many, many more four-hour weekly volunteer days.

Earth Day, April 22, is a special time for environmental celebration. But what we do every day makes the real difference in the health of our planet, including our waters. Here are several ways in which Shedd celebrates the living world every day. Join us in contributing to a healthier environment!

 
We are in the middle of National Environmental Education Week. Nature is the best classroom, but sometimes you need a little technological help to dive deeper.