Nonprofit Directory / Pacific Northwest

Oregon Coast Aquarium

The Oregon Coast Aquarium was founded in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in the coastal town of Newport, Oregon. The Aquarium was developed by the Yaquina Bay Economic Foundation to draw tourism, facilitate oceanic research and education, and bring economic prosperity to the community. Since opening in 1992, it has welcomed more than 15 million visitors from around the world. In the late 1990s, the Aquarium was home to Keiko, the Killer Whale (of "Free Willy" fame) until his release into the Nordic seas. It is the only aquarium in Oregon accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), maintaining this designation since 2001. More than a top-tier tourist destination, the Aquarium’s mission has even further implications: ENVIRONMENT: The sea is a major force on the planet; home to over a million known species of plants and animals, producer of half of the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere, sustainer of natural resources, and regulator of the world’s climate. The Aquarium engages youth volunteers in beach clean-ups, raises awareness about plastic pollution and climate change, identifies rare or endangered species, and shares updates on rescue and rehabilitation effor.

Newport, OR 1% for the Planet

Trails near this work

Part of the land this organization helps protect. Explore them on the Trail Atlas.

  • Oregon Coast Trail
  • Cascade Head Trail
  • Two Rivers Trail
  • Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail

The record

EIN
93-0877807
Headquarters
Newport, OR
Website
www.aquarium.org
Focus
Bioregion
State

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