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Their World is Our World, Too

A man and girl hold their hands up against the window as three belugas peer curiously back.

Shedd Aquarium has long believed in a core truth: that water makes life possible and connects all living things. As humankind, we have a responsibility to understand, care for and protect the water that supports animals and people worldwide.

How, in a few words, do we encapsulate such a profound idea, create a foundation that represents Shedd’s work and invite everyone to join us? Introducing, For Love of Waterkind.

A Shedd staff member points, grinning, at an animal in one of Shedd's Amazon Rising exhibits as a young girl and her father look on.
A woman in a Shedd uniform and a young black boy look at a microscope in Shedd's galleries.

For Love of Waterkind is a philosophy, an invitation, a community, a call to action and a promise. It provides purpose in tandem with Shedd’s mission and vision. It centers our conservation science and research, expert animal care, environmental education and community outreach. It breaks down barriers in the way we think about animals as “other,” establishing that humankind exists within, not apart from, this living world.

And the stories we’ll tell to express this idea are palpable and emotional, inviting you in (literally and figuratively!) to become stewards of water with us. Whether it’s the heartwarming story of a child developing a lifelong love for aquatic life after a visit or the harrowing tale of scientists saving what’s left of endangered coral species, every element of For Love of Waterkind is meant to move us into action.

A staff member introduces a pair of young black girls to the moon jellies living behind the scenes at Shedd.

The systems sustained by water are under increasing pressure and changing. But when people notice, understand and act, protection becomes possible. What that action may be is different for everyone. From restoring habitats to speaking up for wildlife, we help ourselves, our neighbors and animals in the Great Lakes region and beyond. We can shape life now and ensure a thriving, blue future for all.

We are thrilled for you to join us on this journey of discovery, compassion and connection. For the splashers and swimmers, for the weird and wonderful, for the curious explorers and divers of the deep.

For Love of Waterkind.