- 2011 Annual Report
The Mission of The Living Planet Aquarium The Living Planet Aquarium inspires people to explore, discover and learn about Earth s diverse ecosystems.
Brent Andersen Founder/CEO The Living Planet Aquarium The Realization of a Dream
The Living Planet Aquarium Historical Highlights Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1998 and began outreach vans in 1999 Preview exhibit opened at Gateway Mall in 2004 (10,000 sq. ft.) Preview exhibit moved to current Sandy location in 2006 (43,000 sq. ft) Over 2 million visitors and students reached since 2004 600,000 students impacted through outreach education programs Breaking ground for a new 130,000 square foot facility in Spring 2012
What You Will See at The Living Planet Aquarium
Discover Utah Gallery DISCOVER UTAH takes you through habitats that are exclusive to our beautiful state of Utah. In this gallery, you will find animals and species of fish unique to Utah. You ll discover Tiger Salamanders, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout, several species of toads, and June Suckers which are endemic to Utah Lake. This is also the home of our new River Otter exhibit!
Ocean Explorer Gallery OCEAN EXPLORER allows you to explore the depths of the ocean and experience the water environments that cover more than 70 percent of our planet. This is your chance to see and learn about animals that you wouldn t have the chance to see in Utah, such as Sharks, Rays, Jellies, Seahorses, Eels, Coral Reefs, and even a giant Pacific octopus! You can enjoy an interactive experience at the Bio-Facts station and the stingray touch pool, where you can actually touch live animals!
Journey to South America Gallery JOURNEY TO SOUTH AMERICA will transport you and your family to a Mayan-themed jungle where your aquatic rainforest adventure will begin. Imagine having up-close access to vivid sights, sounds, and intriguing animals such as piranhas, pacu, Amazon catfish, giant arapaima, electric eels, freshwater stingrays, giant anacondas, poison arrow frogs, and other Amazon animals found in the South American rainforest! Fun and education will be combined as you learn about the biodiversity of rainforest ecosystems, the benefits rainforests provide us and how we all can help protect these amazing animals. Our newest addition to the South American exhibit are Gentoo Penguins!
Education Outreach Programs The Rainforest Van is an educational outreach program offered by The Living Planet Aquarium to second and third grade students along the Wasatch Front. The content of the presentations are specifically designed to coordinate with the Utah State Office of Education s General Core Curriculum for second grade and the Science Core Curriculum for third grade. The Utah Waters Van is an educational outreach program offered by The Living Planet Aquarium to fourth grade students throughout Utah. The content of our presentations is specifically designed to coordinate with the Utah State Office of Education s Science Core Curriculum. Students are encouraged to supply information and assist the presenters during our interactive presentation.
Statewide Education Outreach Education programs impact over 55,000 Students and Teachers per year. Over 640 elementary schools are visited annually with in-classroom science oriented programs.
In-house Education Programs Summer Camps: Every summer, the education team hosts summer camps for kids on summer break. Camps run June through August. Children from Pre-K to 17 years of age are invited to explore, discover and learn the amazing animals in the ocean; from the smallest shrimp to the biggest whale. Children can find out what it s like to be a junior detective or a marine biologist in training! This is a chance to begin an exciting adventure with our indoor ocean at The Living Planet Aquarium. Field Trips: The Living Planet Aquarium provides exciting and educational curriculum-based field trips for grades K-6. The sunken ship, Albatross, otherwise known as the educational headquarters, transports students back in time to an 1840s shipwreck site along the Florida Keys. The naturalist on board warmly welcomes students as they too, become naturalists for a day by gathering data and research lost treasures during the shipwreck. The field trips correlate with the Utah State Core Curriculum guidelines by grade level, as well as the National Science Standards and Utah Environment Education Guidelines. This integrated, purpose-driven approach provides for a rich and interesting field trip for students of all ages.
A Strong History of Growth (58 % increase to date 450,000 visitors in the past 12 month period) ANNUAL ATTENDANCE TOTALS 337,644 392,120 373,400 83,258 140,931 174,117 236,974 243,755 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Visitors by Region Statewide Representation
A Strong Business Model (100% of operating expenses covered by gate sales, gift shop receipts and facility rentals)
Income Sources Annual Operating Statement OPERATING REVENUES 2009 Actual 2010 Actual 2011 Actual Aquarium Operations 2,282,929 3,093,176 3,351,725 General Admissions 1,355,301 1,799,630 1,901,717 Memberships 358,968 504,788 519,417 Gift Shop Sales 395,011 509,216 567,119 Café Sales 111,856 142,091 149,093 Birthday Party Fees 39,333 82,352 86,995 Photo Concessions 4,822 0 34,999 Facility Rental 250 9,881 12,200 Special Programs 11,557 35,028 69,752 Vending Machines 3,990 5,630 6,335 Animal Adoptions 1,841 4,560 4,098 Education Grants 650,273 655,678 756,744 General Donations 155,577 304,752 121,500 Fundraising Events & Activities 75,423 96,417 100,000 Other Income 5,040 9,112 7,200 GROSS REVENUE $3,169,242 $4,159,135 $4,337,169 Cost of Goods Sold-Gift Shop 194,930 259,089 282,920 Cost of Goods Sold-Café 75,590 92,391 87,939 TOTAL COST OF GOODS SOLD $270,520 $351,480 $370,859 NET REVENUE $2,898,722 $3,807,655 $3,966,310
Expenditures OPERATING EXPENSES 2009 Actual 2010 Actual 2011 Actual Automobile Maintenance & Fuel 11,462 14,185 13,215 Bad Debt 931 70 0 Bank & Merchant Service Fees 40,254 52,928 56,887 Building Maintenance & Supplies 45,593 58,093 51,355 Communications 11,297 8,614 8,688 Data Processing 7,081 26,218 17,521 Depreciation Expense 146,167 195,924 215,000 Dues & Subscriptions 3,016 7,277 6,525 Education Programs & Printing 42,077 24,658 86,706 Equipment, Fixtures & Furniture 6,466 4,606 3,565 Exhibits 27,091 22,210 25,000 Facility Expense for Rentals 9,331 22,773 23,104 Fundraising Expenses 34,954 85,309 63,000 Insurance 13,856 14,311 15,508 Interest Expense 1,039 0 0 Licenses & Permits 465 525 630 Animal Life Support 74,703 101,379 105,922 Marketing 253,637 390,616 240,000 Meals, Entertainment & Parking 994 1,781 2,300 Miscellaneous 124 0 0 Payroll & Benefits 1,558,351 1,969,620 2,125,555 Postage & Delivery 1,614 1,754 2,100 Printing 12,512 11,146 12,815 Professional Services 14,271 29,385 47,800 Property Taxes 25,314 28,370 26,400 Rent Expense 152,250 154,500 154,500 Supplies 17,003 16,670 17,461 Ticketing System 12,994 9,606 6,600 Staff Development 9,383 13,202 14,920 Travel Expenses 18,702 26,302 25,510 Utilities 95,802 107,705 108,662 Volunteer Recognition 1,028 2,607 6,000 TOTAL EXPENSES $2,649,762 $3,402,344 $3,483,249
Audit The 2011 financials were audited by Shaw Mumford & Co., an independent auditor, who issued an unqualified audit report. The audit reported that of the 2011 expenses: 84.7% were allocated to program expenses 9.9% were allocated to administration 5.4% were allocated to fund raising
Employees and Volunteers Employees: Administration 3 Development 2 Marketing 2 Guest Services 20-30 Education 17 Volunteer Coord. 1 Animal Husbandry 8 Maintenance 2 Volunteers: Regular Volunteers 120+ Guest Services Husbandry Maintenance Education Interns 5-20 Husbandry Marketing Development Husbandry Administration
Let us take you on a journey The Living Planet Aquarium s iconic 130,000 square foot building will immerse guests on a journey through Utah deserts and mountains, tropical rainforests, frozen ice shelves of Antarctica, and the planet s vast oceans.
through an iconic world-class facility Education Center Shark Tank Ocean Explorer Research Vessel Penguins Otters Discover Utah Changing Exhibits 4D Theater Research Vessel Administration Offices Banquet Halls Lobby Journey to South America Interactive Play Area Journey to South America Café Gift Shop Entrance First Floor Second Floor
to the bottom of the world Our penguin exhibit will feature two levels of viewingabove and below the surface-where you will get an upclose look at the birds swimming and socializing. The Penguin Encounter is sponsored by Mountain America Credit Union. Journey to the icy edges of the Earth in our new 90,000 gallon penguin exhibit. Travel under the ice to see our penguins rocket past you in our special underwater penguin viewing area
deep into the Abyss The new Deep Sea Gallery will feature enormous king crabs, a giant Pacific octopus and the mysterious nautilus. Dive deep into an underwater abyss, where animals that rarely see the light of day exist. Climb inside an interactive undersea submersible to view these unique exhibits.
through the Amazon Rainforest The winding jungle path takes visitors through dark caves and bird-eating spiders and electric eels before climbing into the jungle tree tops filled with colorful birds, where guests can cross over the rope bridge, high above the gallery. The Journey to South America is made possible by George W. Perkins, Jr. Travel along the Amazon River and up through the rainforest canopy in our 3-level Journey to South America Gallery, home to giant anacondas, fierce piranhas, colorful birds, and toothy caimans. Our new 27,000 gallon Amazon Giants tank will bring you up close to some of the world s largest freshwater fish and tropical turtles.
into the wilds of Utah Our North American River Otters will have an expanded new exhibit where they can romp and frolic both indoors and outdoors. The River Otter Exhibit is made possible by: Enter the new Discover Utah Gallery through a 75-foot slot canyon, passing underneath flood washed logs and see some of Utah s threatened and endangered species showcased in this gallery which will highlight the history of water in Utah from ancient Lake Bonneville to present day Great Salt Lake.
along a rocky coast The rocky coast is the first of four new sections in the expanded Ocean Explorer Gallery and will feature jellies, leopard sharks and other small animals. The sounds of crashing waves and crying of gulls welcome you to the Rocky Coast a series of exhibits about life at the edge of the ocean. At the new tide pool encounter you can reach right in and connect with sea stars, sea urchins, anemones and other tidal creatures in this close-up, hands-on exploration of this complex ecosystem.
where dangerous predators lurk But not all are dangerous our new stingray experience will allow guests to touch and feed gentle giant stingrays as they glide by in a shallow lagoon. Sharp toothed barracudas, menacing moray eels, and giant groupers these beautiful and dangerous hunters prowl the new Predator Reef Exhibit.
under the deep blue sea Stroll through the ocean depths while large sharks, rays and sea turtles swim past on either side and overhead. This 40-foot acrylic tunnel brings these beautiful predators of the deep closer than ever. The ocean exhibit features a floor to ceiling 300,000 gallon tank filled with reef sharks, nurse sharks, and sand tiger sharks that let s you get close enough to count their teeth.
aboard a vessel of discovery Visitors will become eco-explorers as they participate in the educational adventure to reinforce TLPA s mission which is to inspire people to explore, discover and learn about Earth s diverse ecosystems. Towering above the lobby will be a replica of an ocean-going National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research vessel, The Penguin Explorer. Visitors will be immersed in an environment with advanced technologies to facilitate informal science educations.
to spark your imagination The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to providing education about our world to our guests. The Aquarium will offer hands on exhibits, educational programs and lectures, field trips, classes and an exciting 4D theater experience. Utah s only 4D theater experience will thrill guests by taking them to a whole new dimension. 4D effects will be synchronized to film productions and will add another layer of immersive fun for audiences. The 4D theater holds up to 150 guests per show with multiple shows per day. The Education Center will provide a multi-purpose space that will provide quality education programs and enhance the Aquarium s support of education organizations reaching K-12, university and adult students.
a world-class experience awaits The South Salt Lake Valley will benefit greatly from the 400 seat banquet facility housed within the new Aquarium. This will provide an exquisite venue for conventions, conferences, and other community events. Banquet guests will be thrilled to see another view of the 300,000 gallon Shark Tank from inside the Banquet Hall. Over 10,000 square feet of plaza space is planned which will play host to a number of water features, outdoor aquatic artwork and will provide a venue for outdoor community festivals throughout the year. Additionally, the plaza space will provide a permanent showcase for bricks purchased by supporters of The Living Planet Aquarium.
Located at 12047 Lone Peak Parkway, Draper NORTH
The Journey Begins DECEMBER 2013 WON T YOU JOIN US?