The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, located approximately 15 miles south of Wilmington, NC, provides opportunities for the public to encounter and experience aquatic life through exhibits, programs, and special events. Located between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean, the aquarium is surrounded by spectacular natural habitat. In addition to daily programming for the general public and school groups, the aquarium offers professional development workshops for classroom teachers and informal educators.
Newsletter Aquarium News www.ncaquariums.com Available with membership, call: 800-832-FISH (3473)
GrEEn Center Features Include Native Landscaping
Recycling Program
Water Efficient Landscaping
Energy Efficient Lighting
Reusable products in education programs and teacher workshops, (flatware, cups, etc.), organic cotton tee shirts for craft programs, recycled crafts in classrooms
Stormwater runoff demonstrations
Recycling program for ink cartridges, cell phones and CD/DVDs.
Composting.
HealthEE Center Trails A short, flat, bicycle trail connecting DOT's trail to the Fort Fisher ferry runs trough aquarium property. This paved trail, opened in 2006, is approximately .5 miles through maritime forest. There is an observation deck along the trail which offers excellent bird watching. The bicycle trail is accessible to walkers, bicyclers, and wheel chairs.
Other Exercise Through the aquarium's Special Activities programs visitors can register for a canoe trip in a nearby estuary, a salt marsh exploration including crabbing and fishing, or surf fishing. All of these programs require some physical exertion and provide opportunities for vigorous activity.
Health Exhibits A small exhibit on an outdoor deck focuses on water quality and the health of our waterways. This interactive exhibit focuses on how a healthy environment effects human health.
Health Programs
Canoeing the salt marsh
Salt marsh exploration
Surf fishing
Salt marsh and crabbing
ArtsEE Center Art Collection The aquarium's "Spadefish Gallery" uses public exhibit space to highlight local artists. Installations run for up to three months and are listed on our web site:
www.ncaquariums.com Art Integration Art is used to enhance and supplement messages in many aquarium programs. Through crafts, stories, and experiments visitors may understand how art imitates nature.
Art Programs
The aquarium offers a variety of nature crafts including shell crafts, gyotaku (fish printing), paper making, and sand casting.
