We look forward to seeing
you at this year's fun events
throughout our community.

Click here to find out more.

We invite you to check out our executive director's blog for interesting stories about our progress and other information relating to our part of the world.


digital rendering of Arthur Dyson's design created by: Blue Sky Digital, Inc. - View larger version

Welcome!

Thank you for visiting our website! We need everyone's support to continue the progress we've already made toward building this exciting project for all the citizens of California's San Joaquin Valley.

Award-winning architect, Arthur Dyson, AIA, dean emeritus of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, has designed a green, state-of-the-art educational Aquarium and research facility (rendering above) for the nonprofit 501(c)(3) Aquarius Aquarium Institute of Fresno - California's 5th largest city. We will be pursuing LEED® certification for the building upon completion. To view pictures of the site work click here.

The 10-acre site, a former Stewart and Nuss sand and gravel mine and asphalt plant location, was generously donated to the Institute by the Roy and Betty Jura family. It closed escrow in August 2006 after the Aquarium completed all of its environmental studies and received the unanimous approval of the Fresno County Planning Commission. The property overlooks Reach 1 of the San Joaquin River Restoration and is adjacent to Highway 99 at the northern entrance to the City and County of Fresno at the western end of the 3,500-acre San Joaquin River Parkway. see site photos & map

After the Fresno City Council unanimously voted on January 27, 2009 to amend the City's 2025 General Plan to include the Aquarium property, the City of Fresno received unanimous approval from the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) on April 15, 2009 to bring the project into its Sphere of Influence. This approval was required in order for us to extend City water and sewer lines to the Aquarium in the future.

All of these complicated steps require a great deal of political and monetary support and the Institute's Board of Directors and founders Tom and Aletha Lang are sincerely grateful for all that we've received thus far. We hope you will join us or continue your support in any way possible to help us make this important educational facility for the entire San Joaquin Valley a reality very soon!

Other Official Resolutions of Support:

Fresno City Council Supports Planned Aquarium by Proclamation

Clovis Mayor Nathan Magsig Supports Planned Aquarium by Proclamation

Sanger Mayor and Council Support Planned Aquarium by Resolution

Madera County Supervisors Support Planned Aquarium by Resolution

Visalia Mayor and Council Support Planned Aquarium by Resolution

Aquarius Aquarium Institute's mission focuses on the education of our Central Valley school children, interpretive exhibits about California aquatic life past and present, ongoing scientific research and the aquarium propagation of endangered tropical marine life. The facility will feature a 2 million gallon Oceanarium as its centerpiece exhibit.

Put your Name on the Aquarium Permanently

Updated List of Contributors

What the Aquarium means to California's Central Valley:

  • Major Regional Tourism Destination
  • Educational Resource for Students of all ages
  • Employment Opportunities for our Valley
  • Beautification of the Highway 99 Corridor
  • Amenity to Attract & Retain a Quality Workforce
  • Exciting Venue for Business
  • Model for Alternative Energy
  • Entertainment & Recreational Center

All of this and coral reef species research too!

Before the building begins to take shape,
let's take a look at what visitors to Aquarius Aquarium Institute
will experience when we open:

  • Observe biologists at work raising baby marine fish and corals in the Larval Lab.
  • Discover the secret lives of important coral reef organisms vital to the ocean's survival.
  • Marvel at the incredible diversity and color of life in the tropical seas.
  • Look eye-to-eye with a Giant Octopus.
  • Be mesmerized by the delicate Sea Nettle Jellies.
  • Feel the bumps of a Sea Cucumber and the leathery skin of a Sea Star in our California Touch Tide Pool.
  • Stand before 17 foot tall windows as majestic Spotted Eagle Rays and Hammerhead Sharks circle in the 2 million gallon Oceanarium, a re-creation of the ancient saltwater sea that once covered the San Joaquin Valley.
  • Spend time strolling through the native rooftop Jura Garden featuring a panoramic view of the San Joaquin River and Riparian Habitat interpretive exhibits - including fishes native to our own historic watershed.

In order to demonstrate grass-roots support and make this beautiful educational Aquarium in Fresno a reality, we need everyone to make a tax-deductible donation in any amount or become an Annual Charter Member today. We've made a lot of progress already and every new donation brings us that much closer to groundbreaking! Please join us.

Click here to make a secure tax-deductible contribution in any amount through PayPal.
Please Note: A PayPal account is not required to donate - just a credit or debit card!

We gratefully accept:


or call us to donate with your check or credit card over the phone:

(559) 490-FISH (3474)

You may also mail your check to:

Aquarius Aquarium Institute
5541 Columbia Drive North
Fresno, CA 93727

Copyright © 2010 Aquarius Aquarium Institute. All Rights Reserved.
The triangular wave logo is a registered trademark of Aquarius Aquarium Institute.