Something fishy is happening in Chicago.
I'm not speaking of politics, but literally about fish as Shedd Aquarium plans to invest $500 million in advance of its 100th anniversary in 2030. That work will include new exhibits and renovations of existing facilities to provide more opportunities for visitors to interact with the aquarium's residents.
Work to update Shedd's physical operations will begin later this year and be completed by 2026, the aquarium said in a news release. While executives didn't mention plastics specifically, acrylic is used extensively for underwater habitats to allow visitors to see the animals while keeping the animals safe. For instance, in 2019 Shedd used acrylic for a sea otter exhibit.
"New circulation pathways will significantly reduce the number of transitions between areas of the aquarium, allowing guests to have multiple options regarding where they can start their journey, and making navigation easier and more efficient for guests with strollers, wheelchairs and other mobility needs," Shedd said in the news release.