Seattle Aquarium Results for 2012 and Significant Future Activiti es

30 Pages·2013·1.78 MB·English

Seattle Aquarium
2012
Annual Report
Inspiring
Dear Friend of the Seattle Aquarium,
Conservation
Leadership
As a supporter of the Seattle Aquarium, your investment had a real impact in 2012. We finished
the year as the ninth largest aquarium in the country with 831,776 visitors. Thousands came to
of Our Marine
Directory see Sekiu, our baby sea otter, born in January while dozens of staff and volunteers provided her
with excellent care. The Aquarium has been a leader in sea otter conservation from its earliest
days when we rehabilitated Sekiu’s grandmother, Lootas, after her rescue from the Valdez oil spill.
Environment
As of December 31, 2012
To further deepen our guests’ connection with marine mammals, this year we launched a 6.5
million dollar capital campaign to build a wonderful new harbor seal exhibit. The new home for
Seattle Aquarium Administration
Barney and his pool-mates will open in June. Please plan on a summer visit to see the exhibit and
Robert W. Davidson, President & CEO
our charismatic harbor seals.
C.J. Casson, Director of Life Sciences
Ryan Dean, Director of Finance & Administration The community endorsed the Aquarium’s role through other avenues as well this year. Seattle
Tim Kuniholm, Director of Public Affairs
voters gave 77 percent support to a bond issue to replace the seawall. The City adopted a new
Alan Maxey, Director of Facilities & Operations
Waterfront Strategic Plan and authorized new master planning and design for expansion of
Lori Montoya, Director of Development
the Aquarium. In addition, generous donations from individuals, foundations and corporations
Marsha Savery, Director of Marketing, Membership & Guest Impression
supported the full range of Aquarium school and visitor programs. Each paves the way for the
Veronica Smolen, Director of Human Resources
Aquarium to be the centerpiece of a Waterfront for All, fully connected to the city and ready
Jim Wharton, Director of Conservation & Education
to meet the needs of a growing population. Our expansion planning will continue in 2013/14,
leading to a design for public and private consideration in 2015/16. Watch for your invitation to
Board of Directors
join the planning effort later this year.
Chairman Board Members
J. Terry McLaughlin, retired William C. Arntz*, Aquarium Director Emeritus Finally, it was a humbling and inspiring moment when we reached our millionth hour of volunteer
The Professional Basketball Club, LLC John R. Braden*, Aquarium Director Emeritus service given by tens of thousands of volunteers. Volunteer hours are just one expression of our
Immediate Past Chair Ken Collins, Group Health Cooperative donors’ passion for our mission, for the marine environment we champion and for the young
David D. Dicks, University of Washington, College of the Environment people whose curiosity and commitment to the future of the oceans we inspire.
Dan M. Guy III, retired
Carmen Esparza, Esparza + Business Communication
Chair Elect
Dennis Forsyth, SRG Partnership Inc. None of this would be possible without advocates like you. On behalf of the board of directors,
James C. Gurke, retired, Getty Images
Susan L. Gates, American West Bank staff and volunteers we offer you our deep appreciation for supporting the Seattle Aquarium and
Secretary Karen Gates Hildt, Hildt & Reid, Inc. PS its mission, Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.
Gary T. Smith, Smith and Stark Neal Holland, Union Bank
Treasurer Linda K. Johnson, retired, Visio Sincerely,
Kevin L. Blair, Washington Trust Bank Mark E. Kramer, F5 Networks
J. Terry McLaughlin
Katherine A. Krogslund, University of Washington, School of Oceanography
President & CEO Chairman, Board of Directors
Erin J. Letey, Riddell Williams P.S.
Robert W. Davidson*, Seattle Aquarium
Lisa C. Luther, Nordstrom
Past Chairs Robert W. Davidson
Greg Massey, Seattle Mariners
President & CEO
Ted Ackerley, Ackerley Partners Steve Moore, Contour, Inc.
Don Audleman, Capstone Partners LLC Gregory P. Owens, Washington Trust Bank
John C. Blackman, retired, Argosy Cruises Gary S. Smith, Lease Crutcher Lewis
Stuart T. Rolfe, Wright Hotels, Inc. Amy Sprangers, Seattle Seahawks & Sounders FC
George V. Willoughby Jr. , retired, King Broadcasting Linda Springmann, Holland America Line
Vice Chairs Eric V. Steinwinder, Avanade, Inc.
Mary L. Bass, Wells Fargo Scott C. Trethewey, Callisons, Inc.
Gini Beck, Community Volunteer Christopher Williams, Seattle Parks & Recreation
Dianne L. Bell, Verizon Business * Ex-Officio
Lesley Canfield, Community Volunteer
Bob Donegan, Ivar’s
William T. Einstein, Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
J. Brian Hill, Sound Leasing Corporation
Stephanie Kornblum, retired, Microsoft The Seattle Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution owned by the City
Robert W. Power, SEA CON LLC of Seattle. Donations to the Seattle Aquarium are tax deductible under the
Randy J. Tinseth, The Boeing Company Internal Revenue Code. Donations can be made by calling [phone]
or visiting SeattleAquarium.org.
2 3
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012
Seattle Aquarium Biologist Sara Perry
“Our birds can weigh themselves!”
Most birds at the Seattle Aquarium studbook and species survival plan a scale during feeding. “All of this
fall into one of two categories: they coordinator for tufted puffins, horned training allows us to take excellent
were born in a zoo or aquarium; or puffins and common murres. “I want care of the birds,” she notes.
they were rescued, rehabilitated and to be the alcid person,” she says,
deemed non-releasable. That’s a fact referring to the family of birds that
that Biologist Sara Perry takes pride includes auks, murres and puffins. “I’d
Our own coral “farmer”
in sharing with our visitors. like to have the organizations that are
“I love that all of the birds, just working with these species to look at Generous donor
like the rest of the animals at the me as the go-to person one day.” support funds our
Aquarium, are part of a bigger Biologist Intern “With proper husbandry, there’s efforts have been so successful
Sara’s initial project was training
picture,” she says. “It sends a strong really no need to collect coral from that we share our surplus with
our birds to step onto a scale to be Program
conservation message, and that’s the wild,” says Biologist facilities around the
weighed. With training, the birds
what we’re all about.” Sara’s success with our birds Andy Sim. “Propagation country, reducing their
learned to voluntarily participate
started in 2008, when she came is the best way to ensure need to source from the
Feeding and training our birds while in their own health care, allowing
to the Seattle Aquarium as an we have the diversity and wild,” says Andy.
engaging with the public is just one biologists to weigh them more
intern—and one of the very numbers of corals we Dwarf cuttlefish
element, albeit a very important and frequently. Her latest project has first participants in the fledgling need for our exhibits.” The Aquarium doesn’t breeding program a
rewarding one, of Sara’s busy day. been continuing to train our alcids program, which completed source any of its
continuing success
Like the other Aquarium biologists, to be fed by hand, in addition to the its fifth year in 2012. After Behind the scenes on corals from the wild.
she also preps food, cleans exhibits, scatter feeding method that shows completing her internship, Sara Pier 59 are tanks filled “Our goal is to create As of the end of 2012, we
monitors the health of the animals off the birds’ diving abilities. “Scatter became a Seattle Aquarium with a vibrant collection more complicated were on our third generation
in her care and (in the few moments feeding provides an opportunity for volunteer and, in stepping-stone of corals, ranging in size exhibits, more of a of captive-bred animals and
she has to sit at a computer) writes the birds to dive and forage in the fashion, applied and was hired from less than an inch complete snapshot had produced enough to
records, creates reports, and provides water, while hand feeding ensures for a succession of positions to six inches or more. The Seattle Aquarium of what you’d see in the complete a breeding exchange
information for publications such as that every individual animal gets before joining us full time as a specimens are nurtured Biologist Andy Sim wild, without impacting with Mote Aquarium as well
this. Sara has an added responsibility what it needs,” she says. In an echo of biologist in 2012. here until they’re large enough to wild coral populations,” says Andy. as send surplus to two other
as well: she’s the Association of Zoos her earlier project, Sara’s also working go on exhibit—or to be shared with “Our propagation program is a big AZA institutions.
and Aquariums’ (AZA’s) national on training the alcids to step onto another facility. “Our propagation contributor to achieving that goal.”
4 5
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012
Harbor seal exhibit construction
Fundraising update:
Harbor Seal Capital Project
underway—to open June 1
As of December 31, we had raised over
70% of our $6.5 million fundraising goal,
including $3.5 million in City funds for
piling replacement. Our sincere thanks
go out to the donors who have already
contributed to the creation of a new home
for our harbor seals. For more information
and to make a contribution online, visit
Imagine, hundreds of school SeattleAquarium.org/seals.
children gathering around the
Harbor seal donor list
exhibit as they connect nose to
As of December 31, 2012
nose with Barney through a few
inches of acrylic. They learn what
seals eat, how they play, and how $3,500,000 $5,000 - $9,999
changes in the ocean can make City of Seattle Don & Carol Audleman
it harder for harbor seals to find $250,000 Mary L. Bass
Dianne L. Bell
food. The children ask what they Linda & Ted Johnson
Kevin & Katy Blair
can do to help, and learn about M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust
The Boeing Company
simple actions their families can $100,000-$249,000 John Braden & Kristin Johnsen
take to make a difference. The Ginger and Barry Ackerley Foundation Robert & Molly Davidson
C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust Craig Davison & Glenn Maarse
The Norcliffe Foundation Bob & Lisa Donegan
Susan Gates & Jack Paauw
$50,000-$99,999
Marine Mammal Monitoring Holland America Line, Inc.
D.V. and Ida J. McEachern Charitable Trust Mark & Kimberly Kramer
Carol-Ann O’Mack & John Deininger Katherine A. Krogslund
Lisa & Ron Luther
$25,000 - $49,999
Greg Massey & Omid Ighani
responding with a new volunteer sightings of species protected by is being constructed. Many of the Dan M. Guy III & Wendy Ershig-Guy
J. Terry & Kathleen McLaughlin
program called Marine Mammal the Endangered Species Act to the harbor seal sightings took place at John C. & Karyl Kay Hughes Foundation
Jeff & Phyllis Nomura
Jones Family Foundation
Monitoring. We recruited and Aquarium. “Our volunteers were the Aquarium’s Pier 59. Dave Glenn is
Greg & Barbara Owens
Ana Bella Kipman and parents
trained more than 100 volunteers incredible,” says Dave Glenn, staff pleased by that. “We’re creating the Sharon Philpott & Stephen Finn
Aaron & Stephanie Kornblum
to serve four-hour shifts at five sites supervisor of the Marine Mammal new exhibit to inspire conservation Robert Power & Michelle Raymond
Steven & Angie Moore
around Puget Sound, engaging Monitoring program. “The fact that of harbor seals in the wild,” he Stuart & Lee Rolfe Douglas & Theiline Scheumann
Seattle Seahawks
many citizens in our mission while they were willing to stand on the comments, “And seeing them off the Scott & Sara Trethewey
Seattle Sounders FC
protecting marine mammals. beach for hours at a time, often in end of our pier was a great reminder $10,000 - $24,999 Gary & Ann Smith
Work on our new harbor seal Using equipment provided by the the cold and wet, says a lot about of why we care for them so much.” Anonymous Todd & Amy Sprangers
exhibit began in late 2012, when Aquarium, volunteers scanned their commitment.” Harrell & Gini Beck TEW Foundation
the decayed wood pilings on our the Sound for the presence of John C. Blackman Union Bank
Our dedicated Marine Mammal Photo taken through a spotting scope Robert & Sara Blair George & Colleen Willoughby
finger pier were replaced with steel- marine mammals, recorded their
Monitoring volunteers conducted T. Bradford & Lesley Canfield Martha Wyckoff & Jerry Tone
wrapped cement pilings. During the findings and immediately reported
James & Christina Gurke Paul Wyckoff
more than 1,600 scans of Puget
pile-driving phase of the project, the Neal & Danielle Holland
Sound; nearly half the scans $1,000 - $4,999
Aquarium was required to monitor Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
the waters around the construction included a marine mammal sighting. Nordstrom Jan Forbes Bender & Robert Bender
William & Brooke Einstein
Construction was halted four times Satterberg Foundation
zone for the presence of marine
Jose & Carmen Esparza
due to sightings of orca whales and Randy & Ellen Tinseth
mammals protected by the J. Brian Hill
Bill & Sue Vititoe
Steller sea lions, which are protected
Endangered Species Act. If sighted, James & Leslie Kerr
pile driving would cease until the by the Endangered Species Act. Erin & Tyler Letey
Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
animals moved out of the area.
California sea lions were the most Frank & Linda Springmann
frequently seen marine mammal; Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Aquarium took an
second were harbor seals, the Gary Smith & Karen Smith Ekblad
innovative approach to the
Verizon Foundation
animals for which the new exhibit
monitoring requirement,
6 7
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012
Local seals are sentinels
Seattle Aquarium
education and Seattle Aquarium
conservation highlights of the Sound’s health research highlights
• Served 40,000 students, • Hosted Rockfish Conservation
a five percent increase Curator of Mammals and Birds Traci and Atmospheric Administration’s Working Group meetings.
from 2011. Belting is a key member of the (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries
dedicated team of marine biologists Service to conduct an annual survey • Completed the eighth year
• Increased our Marine of our Washington rockfish
and volunteers who partner with the to weigh, measure, tag and release
Summer Camp offerings surveys.
Washington Department of Fish and harbor seals on Gertrude Island, a
by 50 percent.
Wildlife and the National Oceanic large harbor seal haul-out area in
• Participated in the Washington
south Puget Sound.
• Engaged in 37,566 State sea otter census for the
conversations with beach- twelfth year in a row.
Because they don’t migrate, harbor
goers, providing vital
seals are looked at as sentinels of the
information about our • Continued development and
marine environment and Sound. Toxins accumulate in their testing of giant Pacific octopus
how to care for it via our blubber, and the level of pollution genetic markers.
found in the seals provides a sense
Beach Naturalist program.
of the level of pollution in the Sound • Continued processing of sea
• Hosted tribal school students Taking our Aquarium overall. The assessments usually take otter tissue samples for genetic
from Chief Leschi School and place in the fall, after pups have been analysis for the U.S. Geological
the Squaxin Island Tribe for cross-country weaned. The animals are collected, Survey (USGS) “Coastal
an overnight experience. examined and returned to the water ecosystem responses to
influences from land and sea”
quickly—sometimes in as little as
• Attracted 6,279 visitors on project, under the direction
15 minutes.
eight weekend days at five Students in Georgia, Illinois and Texas “virtually” joined us for an interactive of Jim Bodkin and Tim Tinker,
sites along the Cedar River both of the USGS.
underwater exploration of food webs in our Window on Washington Waters
through the Cedar River
exhibit via an exciting pilot program with Google+. Using the “Hangout”
Salmon Journey program. • Continued to monitor fecal
platform, the students were able to enjoy an interactive experience, live
Seattle Aquarium volunteers hormones in sea otters on the
from the Aquarium. They were excited to ask questions about the exhibit
joined Friends of the Cedar contraceptive deslorelin.
and marine ecosystem, and also got an answer to the perennially popular
River Watershed and
question: “How many fish are in there?” Answer: About 800. This virtual field
Seattle Public Utilities to Special thank you to our
trip allowed us to make contact with an audience that may not ever have the
share insights about the
chance to visit Puget Sound. Instead, we brought Puget Sound to them. education and research
river habitat and sockeye
program supporters:
salmon run.
“Hangout” offers an innovative way to fulfill our mission—allowing our
staff divers and biologists to create an emotional connection with a remote • Amgen
• Conducted Family
audience while increasing awareness of marine conservation issues and using • The Boeing Company
Night programming
for 900 participants compelling examples to illustrate big ideas. The experiment was deemed a • Foley/Frischkorn Wildlife and
from underserved and success and another virtual field trip was produced in our octopus exhibit; Conservation Fund
underrepresented more are in the works for 2013. • John C. & Karyl Kay Hughes
families in cooperation Foundation
with the Environmental
• Islands Fund
Science Center.
• King Conservation District
• NOAA
• The Russell Family Foundation
• State Farm Insurance Companies
• Tulalip Charitable Fund
• Wells Fargo Foundation
• Wiancko Charitable Foundation
• WRIA 8 & 9
• The Peg & Rick Young
Foundation
8 9
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012
Aquarium hosts Governor
Christine Gregoire’s blue-ribbon
panel on ocean acidification
In November the Aquarium The panel, the first of its kind in the
had the honor of hosting the nation, developed a report listing
governor’s panel on ocean 42 separate recommendations
acidification as they presented for addressing the issue of ocean
their final recommendations as acidification in Northwest waters.
part of the Washington Shellfish After the co-chairs presented
Initiative. Speakers included their recommendations, Governor
William Ruckelshaus, panel co- Gregoire signed an executive
chair and former administrator order urging the state to accept
of the Environmental Protection them. She also announced that
Agency; Jay Manning, panel co- she would allocate $3.3 million
chair and Governor Gregoire’s dollars in her final budget to
former chief of staff; Congressman assist with some of the panel’s
The first steps in the
Norm Dicks; Dr. Jane Lubchenco, recommendations.
NOAA administrator; and the
governor herself. transformation of our waterfront
2012: seawall slated to begin in 2013, is also the we will be ready to turn our plans
NOAA ocean acidification Inspiring marine conservation for each visitor measure approved first crucial step in the planned into more concrete actions starting
partnership transformation of the waterfront, of when the viaduct comes down
Every contact our staff and volunteers make with our visitors is In November, after a campaign
which the Aquarium was affirmed as and the real work of the waterfront
In 2012 the Seattle Aquarium an opportunity to share our mission. The Aquarium achieved an with extensive support from
a key element in the summer of 2012. redevelopment begins.
and NOAA created a partnership increase in attendance in 2012 through a variety of initiatives the Aquarium, Seattle voters
that allows Dr. Richard Feely, including new events, such as Shark Week and Mother’s Day, that overwhelmingly approved
2012–2014: Aquarium 2016 and beyond:
senior scientist at NOAA’s Pacific added to our overall 130 days of daytime promotional activities. Our Proposition 1, the $290 million bond
master planning underway viaduct removed, new
Marine Environmental Laboratory, facility was also kept busy after hours, with 140 third-party evening measure to rebuild the deteriorated
to field test ocean acidification events, an eleven percent increase over 2011. seawall that runs along the city’s In part due to the passage of tunnel opens
instrumentation on Pier 59. central waterfront. This was great Proposition 1, the City’s elected The Aquarium and Seattle’s central
Web and social media
Researchers from the University news not only for the Seattle leaders were willing to fund the waterfront are entering an era of
offered another strong
of Washington and Oregon Climate Aquarium but for the City of Seattle next steps in waterfront planning, tremendously exciting growth and
opportunity for us to reach
Change Research Institute at and the entire Puget Sound region including providing half of the change. The removal of the viaduct
our target audiences: 2012
Oregon State University participated as well. funding to enable us to undertake and opening of the new SR99
saw a 33 percent increase
as well. With field testing complete, our master planning process. tunnel create the opportunity for a
in unique visitors to our The seawall holds back the waters
the equipment will be installed Begun in 2012, the process will be total transformation of the central
website; a 117 percent of Elliott Bay while supporting the
at various sites throughout the completed in 2014 with a plan for waterfront as we know it—with
increase in followers on sidewalk outside the Aquarium’s
Pacific Ocean, providing important the Aquarium’s future expansion, the Seattle Aquarium as the literal
Facebook; a 56 percent front door, the routes that bring us
data related to this urgent growth and development that could and figurative centerpiece of this
increase on Twitter; and our visitors and deliveries, and the
environmental issue. double our physical size, increase vibrant, vital area.
a 99 percent increase major utilities that we rely on 24
attendance to as much as 1.2 million
on YouTube. Pinterest hours a day. Rebuilding the seawall
visitors per year—and realize our
and Google+ were also is essential to ensure the safety and
vision to become a true regional
added to our social media stability of our facility and Seattle’s
landmark and world-class aquarium.
marketing mix. central waterfront. The project,
With our master plan complete,
10 11
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012
Donor spotlight 2012 Financial Information
A glimpse into the breadth of our valued support REVENUES
Balance Sheet ($s in ‘000s) 2012
Assets
Cash and Investments $5,431
Concessions 9%
Receivables and Other 1,979
Membership 11%
Dianne Bell
Long-Term Receivables 502
Miscellaneous 2%
“Growing up in Seattle, I think you develop an appreciation for nature. Property Plant & Equipment, net 892
You may not always be thinking about it, but you learn from an early Total Assets $8,804
age to make environmentally conscious decisions like recycling,” says
Dianne Bell, explaining why she joined the Aquarium’s board in 2008. Liabilities and Net Assets
Payables and Other $2,284
She continues, “I believe the Seattle Aquarium is one of those
Leasehold Financing 3,600
institutions that bridges the divide between people of all ages, religions
Total Liabilities $5,884 Admissions 70% Special Events Contributions
and races.” Dianne is most passionate about the Aquarium programs
(at net) 4% & Grants 4%
that bring marine science learning opportunities to people where they
Unrestricted Net Assets $1,303
are, such as the Beach Naturalist program, as well as those that target
Temporarily Restr. Net Assets 1,617
youth. “Kids put pressure on their parents on issues they care about.
Total Net Assets $2,920 EXPENSES
So when we educate youth about the environment, they encourage
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $8,804
their parents to take environmentally positive steps as well. This means
positive action in the short and long term,” she notes.
Looking forward, Dianne is excited to continue her involvement with Revenue and Expense ($s in ‘000s) 2012
Marketing 16% Life Sciences 19%
Splash!, the Aquarium’s annual fundraising gala. “Building relationships Unrestricted Operating Revenue Concessions 2%
Fundraising 5%
with donors in our community is important so that we successfully Admissions $8,604
MG&A 22%
complete the goals outlined in our strategic plan,” she says. She’s also Membership 1,331
excited about continuing to maximize our partnerships to make the
Concessions 1,103
Puget Sound something that many generations can continue to enjoy.
Contributions & Grants 462
Special Events (at net) 501
Admissions 6%
Miscellaneous 218 Facilities 15%
Restricted net assets released from restrictions 1,055
Education/
Total Unrestricted Operating Revenues $13,274
Conservation 15%
Ben Horne
Unrestricted Operating Expense
ATTENDANCE
Nine-year-old Ben Horne knows that feeding sea otters is important. Program Expenses $11,097
“People who visit the Aquarium love the otters and it is really important Fundraising 1,220
to me to help feed them,” he says. So, Ben brought the money he saved Management and General 642
850,000
from his allowance and gave it to the Aquarium so he could help feed Total Unrestricted Operating Expenses $12,959
2009
Adaa, Lootas, Aniak and Sekiu. 2012
Change in Unrestricted Net Assets $315
820,000 2008
Ben and his brother Andrew are frequent visitors to the Aquarium. They
Restricted Activity 2011
were here on a wintry day shortly after Sekiu was born, which is when
Temporarily Restricted Revenue $1,414 2010
Ben chose to give for the first time. “I think it costs more to feed them in
790,000
Restricted net assets released from restrictions (1,055)
the winter and I wanted to help,” he says. (And he’s correct: sea otters do
Change in Restricted Net Assets $359
eat a bit more in the winter than they do at other times of year).
760,000
Ben’s parents, Bridget and Bruce, are instilling the value of philanthropy Net Assets, Beginning of Year $2,246
in their sons. Every week Ben puts two dollars of his allowance into his Net Assets, End of Year $2,920
charity savings. He then chooses a nonprofit to receive his donation. 730,000
The statements shown above are condensed versions of our audited
And even at age 9, he knows that many donors make a bigger
financial statements and do not include footnote disclosures. A copy of our
difference—or, as he says, “It takes more than just my donation to feed audit report containing financial statements and accompanying footnotes
the otters!” is available upon request. Please contact Ryan Dean at [phone] or 700,000 815,177 836,720 791,851 802,649 829,668
[email protected] to obtain a copy.
12 13
SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012 SEATTLE AQUARIUM 2012