Aquarium of the Pacific Unveils Newly Renovated Outreach Truck Funded by Tesoro Foundation

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016, Long Beach, CA— The Aquarium of the Pacific unveiled its new renovated outreach vehicle, the Aquarium on Wheels, at Elizabeth Hudson K-8 School in Long Beach today. The Aquarium on Wheels contains a tidepool exhibit that allows visitors to touch live ocean animals while learning about marine life from an Aquarium educator. “The Aquarium on Wheels allows us to take the Aquarium experience beyond our walls and share the wonder of ocean life with schoolchildren and the general public,” said Jerry Schubel, president and CEO, Aquarium of the Pacific. “Tesoro Foundation supports the Aquarium’s quest to instill in students a passion for science to help them understand and help sustain vibrant ecosystems and prepare for promising science careers.”

The Tesoro Foundation provided funding for this renovation with a $200,000 grant presented to Aquarium officials at the 2015 Baja Splash Cultural Festival. “At Tesoro, we are committed to creating clean, safer, well-educated communities where we operate,” said Ken Dami, Tesoro’s director of government and public affairs for Southern California. “We are proud to support the Aquarium of the Pacific and its efforts to provide extraordinary learning experiences that promote ocean science and environmental literacy among schoolchildren, families, and the community throughout Southern California.” The Aquarium on Wheels travels nearly 10,000 miles and serves nearly 40,000 visitors per year at schools, community events, and other public programs throughout Southern California. It is staffed by Aquarium educators, who teach visitors about marine life and the wonders of the Pacific Ocean. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible and approximately 35 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 13 feet tall. An onboard generator powers the aquarium life support systems. The vehicle was given a major overhaul, with new life support systems for the interior animal exhibits, a new exterior wrap, and new engine and chassis thanks to the Tesoro grant. The engine upgrade also brings the truck in line with higher air quality standards.

The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature’s services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Beyond its more than 11,000 animals, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. The Aquarium has won a 2015 Travelers’ Choice Award for Aquariums, as awarded by TripAdvisor® travelers. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other special benefits. To book the Aquarium on Wheels, visit http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/education/yourfieldtrip/outreach/aow or call 562-590-3100.