As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Oregon Coast Aquarium relies on charitable donations, admission fees and membership dues to meet operating expenses. Our mission is to create unique and engaging experiences that connect you to the Oregon coast and inspire ocean conservation. By donating, you play a crucial role in supporting exceptional animal care, wildlife rehabilitation, coastal conservation efforts, education, outreach, and so much more.
To increase sunflower sea star abundance at restoration sites, the Aquarium needs $100,000 for staffing and infrastructure requirements including dedicated holding and grow-out systems, chilling and temperature control, disease sampling supplies, and monitoring equipment to assist with quarantine, health screening, water quality, collection, and transport.
Donors who give $500 or more by December 31, 2026, will have the opportunity to name a juvenile sunflower sea star.
The Aquarium is raising funds to build the Sis-Xa Xwee-Nish Marine Wildlife Center, boosting our ability to provide urgent care to endangered marine animals that are stranded or injured. Thanks to hundreds of generous donors, we have raised $9.3 million toward the $11.8 million goal for this three-phase project. We are currently securing final funding for Phase 3, which focuses on animal enclosures, holding facilities, and additional life-support systems.
The center will expand our rehabilitation capacity and is the final project amongst a list of five improvement projects to enhance the guest and animal experience. You can follow our progress and see what’s been completed on our progress page:
A hypothermic female olive ridley sea turtle stranded on a remote southern Washington beach. An endangered Western snowy plover chick abandoned in its nest, covered in sand and not even fully hatched. A northern fur seal pup entangled by a plastic balloon string in a RV parking lot. These are just three examples of injured wildlife that arrived at the Oregon Coast Aquarium for care.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Program rescues and rehabilitates threatened and endangered animals as well as indigenous wildlife deemed injured by human interference. Our goal is to mitigate human impact on wildlife in order to contribute to species conservation and prevent animal suffering. Your donation to our Wildlife Rehabilitation Fund gives stranded, abandoned, and injured animals a second chance at life.
An animal’s mental well-being is just as important as suitable housing, top-notch veterinary care, and the best food available. Aquarium staff meet this need by devising specialized items and experiences, called enrichment, that encourage natural behaviors and mimic challenges the animals might face in the wild. The Aquarium’s animal enrichment program is supported, in part, by donations.
Become a member of the Aquarium’s inner circle of donors by making an annual gift at one of the following four levels of Rockfish support: Quillback, Tiger, Yelloweye, Rougheye. Learn More
Thank you for all of your support over the years.
Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.
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