Roundhouse Aquarium Hosts Earth Day Celebration

Community members celebrated Earth Day at the Roundhouse Aquarium with the “Keep It Green and Keep It Clean” event to learn more about ocean life, the importance of sustainability, and how to get involved in protecting our oceans.

Event Overview and Atmosphere

The Roundhouse Aquarium Earth Day event was designed to inspire environmental stewardship.

The event featured booths with hands-on activities, marine life displays, and information on environmental awareness both inside and outside the aquarium. To create an ocean-themed atmosphere, the aquarium used a model shark to mark the check-in area. The check-in area established an atmosphere of ocean education and conservation for all participants, making Roundhouse Aquarium Earth Day a memorable experience for attendees.

Interactive Activities and Educational Booths

The aquarium hosted several of its own booths designed to engage guests of all ages. At the “Plant a Seed” station, guests participated in a hands-on planting activity.

Visitors made small paper pots, planted seeds, and decorated them to take home and grow. The marine mammal and dolphin/whale exhibit featured educational materials on marine conservation and encouraged visitors to learn more about species found in nearby coastal waters.

The activities helped visitors learn hands-on conservation skills in an engaging way.

Creative Engagement and Guest Participation

Guests were also invited to write messages to the aquarium, which were displayed on a public board. Creative activities were a major highlight, including a face-painting booth and an art station where participants could paint sea-themed items for a small fee. Another unique booth introduced visitors to plankton and their role in ocean ecosystems. The event brought together science, art, and community engagement.

Community Partners and Local Organizations

Local organizations and businesses played an important role in the event. Students and volunteers from California State University, Long Beach operated a “Shark Shack,” where attendees observed shark specimens and learned about these often misunderstood animals.

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments highlighted local environmental and community initiatives. In addition, local businesses contributed to the event’s warm environment by providing food, merchandise, and/or educational opportunities to patrons:

Local Business Contributions

Lazy Acres Market provided fresh mandarins, tote bags, and information about its cooking classes.

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers offered merchandise and refreshments.

A Celebration of Education and Conservation

The event highlighted the connection between education, creativity, and community action, while giving guests the opportunity to learn about ocean life and engage with local conservation groups.

Editor’s Disclaimer: This article is a community-submitted piece and has been lightly edited for clarity, grammar, and style.

Maria Cornejo

Maria Cornejo is a Staff Writer and award-winning Photojournalist with Presence News based in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. She regularly covers community events, entertainment, business, culture, and human-interest stories throughout Southern California, where her reporting has led to numerous invitations to local events and community gatherings. Maria began her journalism career at just 13 years old and has written for The Union Newspaper and Warrior Life Magazine. She is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton and is also the host of the Everything Entertainment & Inspiration podcast. Combining professional journalism with visual storytelling, Maria produces original reporting and photography that highlights the people, organizations, and events shaping the South Bay community. One of her most recognized contributions to Presence News is South Bay Galleria Isn’t Closing — Here’s What’s Actually Happening, one of the publication’s most-viewed articles. As a Staff Writer, Maria is committed to accurate, people-first journalism through firsthand reporting, original photography, and meaningful storytelling that informs and connects readers with their local communities. She can be contacted at: mariacornejo27@gmail.com More by Maria Cornejo

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