Aperture Announces Aperture Circle to Support Ecosystem Conservation

Kerri O'Neil, Florida Aquarium's Senior Coral Scientist
Photo Courtesy of Florida Aquarium

Aperture Pet & Life, the integrated company for some of the largest brands in the aquatics industry, including Bulk Reef Supply, Neptune Systems, EcoTech Marine, AquaIllumination and Leap Habitats, which creates reptile and amphibian-centric habitats, is pleased to announce Aperture Circle. This initiative is committed to the sustainability and conservation of marine and wildlife ecosystems.

Aperture Circle will partner with research institutions, foundations, charities, and other organizations that are aligned with Aperture's mission of "enriching lives through thriving ecosystems." These include educational groups that help the next generation learn to conserve and love marine life and organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring fragile ecosystems, including barrier reefs, all around the world. 

"Aperture employees and brands have a long and rich tradition of contributing to research and education, particularly as it relates to coral and reefs, and they continue to show great passion for being a part of the solution," said Natalie Strahan, CEO of Aperture. "The creation of Aperture Circle allows us to build on that legacy and expand our support more widely through unique programs that invite our customers, partners, and friends to support these great organizations as well. We are proud to have The Florida Aquarium as Aperture Circle's first partner. Their extraordinary dedication and work to address the coral crisis will have a positive impact on our ocean's fragile ecosystems for generations to come." 

Coral scientists at The Florida Aquarium have worked tirelessly to address the coral crisis by focusing on protecting species that are approaching or are at risk of extinction in the wild, increasing coral reproduction rates, and advancing coral health. They have made coral sexual reproduction history many times with their work which has been vital to the restoration of the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world, the Florida Reef Tract. "EcoTech Marine's products are an integral part of our aquarium-based coral reproduction work," said Keri O'Neil, Senior Scientist at The Florida Aquarium. "We are looking forward to working together to advance coral conservation."

Starting on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, and ending on Dec. 31, Aperture will make a dollar-by-dollar match to The Florida Aquarium up to $10,000 for donations made on this special donation website. "We're proud to be Aperture Circle's inaugural partner. We have worked with EcoTech Marine, a member of the Aperture family, in the past and we are excited to expand this relationship in a more official capacity," said Toni Wofford, Senior Director of Philanthropy at The Florida Aquarium. Aperture will share the call to action to support The Florida Aquarium through its direct-to-consumer business, Bulk Reef Supply, and connecting with customers of Neptune Systems, Ecotech Marine, Aquaillumination, and Leap Habitats.

About Aperture

Aperture is a leading online retailer, manufacturer, and distributor of products and solutions in over 50 countries through an integrated platform, which includes the industry's leading online marketplace for saltwater aquarists, world-class products for the success of saltwater, freshwater, and reptile and amphibian ecosystems and habitats, distribution operations, sales professionals and one of the pet industry's largest YouTube platforms, with over 400,000 subscribers and 110 million views. Through its banner brands Bulk Reef Supply, Neptune Systems, EcoTech Marine, Aquaillumination, Leap Habitats, and others, the company offers its customers the products and resources they need to create thriving ecosystems. For more information, visit www.apetlife.com.

About The Florida Aquarium 

The Florida Aquarium actively participates in and promotes stewardship of the natural environment as part of its mission of conservation. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

A visit to The Florida Aquarium provides an opportunity to see over 8,000 aquatic and terrestrial animals, explore complex ecosystems, look for wild dolphins in Tampa Bay, play at the Splash Pad, and more.

The Florida Aquarium is working to protect and restore our blue planet on many conservation fronts, including research and rescue efforts that help restore Florida's sea turtle and coral populations and to ensure that sharks continue to swim in our seas. In August 2019, The Florida Aquarium, in partnership with Project Coral, became the first to successfully spawn critically endangered pillar coral in a laboratory. To learn more, follow them on social media at @floridaaquarium and visit www.flaquarium.org.