Play in the Nature Exploration Garden at Shedd Aquarium

A new Nature Exploration Garden at the entry of Shedd Aquarium invites guests to discover the natural, living world with participatory elements that engage the senses through play. The active green space is the latest enhancement to the entry experience at the Welcome Plaza as part of the Shedd’s Centennial Commitment.

The flourishing plant life—featuring 70 native species currently—provides habitat for wildlife, attracting pollinators, birds, and other critters that flutter, burrow, and patter across the landscape. New interpretative signage and exploratory elements offer even deeper insights into what lives above and beneath the surface of the garden, the importance of pollinators like bees and beetles, and how wildlife relies on natural spaces like this one to survive.

“Our goal is to connect guests with local animals, plants and ecosystems before they even step a foot inside,” said Kristen Neria, director of exhibit services at Shedd Aquarium. “And the unique aspect—setting this one apart from the other green spaces around our building—was ideating on the fun immersive, interactive elements that invite discovery through play and inspire a deeper appreciation for nature.”

Guests are invited to gather, explore and commune with nature beyond the aquarium walls in the newest garden. Reach out to touch four larger-than-life sculpture models featuring local aquatic animals, including a lake sturgeon, a mallard duck, a frog and a school of lake trout. Look closer with two spotting scopes providing another vantage point to potentially find elusive birds like goldfinches and cardinals hidden among the trees.

Additionally, five interactives encourage exploration through hands-on play and sensory opportunities:

• Discovery Table: Investigate items the flowers, trees, animals have left behind in the garden that the horticulture team has collected and displayed – from insect molts to seeds to pinecones – highlighting the diversity of life that depends on this living ecosystem.
• Seed Posts: See and feel what certain plant life is like with tactile models at each post, then open the lid to dig deeper into how each grows and develops.
• Uncover the seeds that each plant derives from to see surprising similarities or discover distinct differences.
• Explore how pollinators transfer pollen, ensuring plant survival.
• Water Paint: Activate your inner artist and use a paintbrush dipped in water to draw onto the slate board, among infinite inspiration.
• Tracks Table: Discover wildlife that leaves a mark by stamping model animal tracks into the sand-filled substrate of this wooden table.
• Discovery Log: Explore the ecosystem living inside a fallen tree by peering into portals, flipping panels and getting eye-level with a viewing window to learn how termites, fungi and other critters benefit from the landscape.

Further, beyond the permanent installations and seasonal blooms, the Nature Exploration Garden is another space for deeper engagement with Shedd experts and surprise encounters with aquarium animals. During pop-up programs, facilitators offer nature journaling opportunities for passersby. Surprise-and-delight animal appearances could happen anytime – both from wildlife and ambassadors from the aquarium.

With an intentional focus on reducing barriers, Shedd continues to make connections with nature more seamless and welcoming. All signage is available in English and Spanish in the new garden space. New benches have been installed in the Welcome Plaza to extend the time spent in nature. Plus, wheel-safe substrate paths enable people to journey through the landscape, allowing everyone the chance to be closer than ever before.

Lead project partners on the aquarium’s transformation and restoration include Shedd Aquarium's Design and Exhibits team, project manager JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle), architect Valerio Dewalt Train, landscape architecture site design group, ltd., joint venture Chicago-based general contractor partners Pepper/BMI Construction LLC.

Transformational support for Shedd’s Centennial Commitment has been provided by The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation, the Morgridge Family Foundation, the Mansueto Foundation, Mary and Stephen Byron Smith and Builders Initiative. Lead contributions have also been generously provided by the Cynthia Parker Matthews Family Foundation, The Grainger Foundation, Kenneth C. Griffin, Mike and Lindy Keiser, Anna and Bob Livingston, Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Pepper Family Foundation, The Regenstein Foundation and the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust.

For more information about Shedd’s gardens, visit: https://www.sheddaquarium.org/exhibits/gardens.

VISUALS: Find high-resolution photos of Shedd Aquarium's Nature Exploration Garden here: https://personal.filesanywhere.com/guest/fs?v=8e71668e5e6174aea16d&C=50.
Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium