Dropping Anchor: USU Partnership Opens Collaboration With Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Landlocked Utah may seem like an unexpected destination for studying marine science, but a new partnership signed last week between USU and the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium means that both marine life, and the people who study it, get to call the state home.

Why would you study oceans from Utah?

“It’s a question I hear a lot,” said Trisha Atwood from the Department of Watershed Sciences and a lead collaborator on the partnership. “The truth is that oceans are most effectively managed at regional and global scales. Marine science these days happens using satellite data, analyzing big-scale trends in commercial fisheries and ocean properties like temperature. That kind of research can happen anywhere.”

With a new minor offered in marine science (the only one in Utah) from the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, and a major in the works, the partnership with the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper means that students will get hands-on experiences to help build foundational science skills. It also means that researchers at both institutions can share knowledge, instructors can facilitate internships and the USU community will get access to a dedicated lab space on the aquarium campus.

“By combining the expertise and resources of both institutions, we’ll really be able to create unique opportunities for students and the community,” said Edd Hammill, department head in Watershed Sciences and project collaborator. “We can offer students these experiences at a fraction of the cost of other universities, and with smaller classes.”

Students end up getting more hands-on experiences, mentored instruction and the kinds of personalized recommendations that are key to employment in marine science after they graduate, he said. But the aquarium and the classroom aren’t the only places USU students can experience these ecosystems in action.

“The wetlands of the Great Salt Lake have some of the exact same wetland plants that you would see along the coast of the Chesapeake Bay. The deep-water systems at Bear Lake are a powerful proxy for marine deep-water systems,” said Atwood, who is also a researcher with National Geographic Society's Pristine Seas program. “Combine those nearby resources with the field experience we offer USU students on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and USU has a really strong and unique portfolio for studying marine systems.”

The focus isn’t all on saltwater. A visit to the aquarium makes clear that the facility’s scope reaches far beyond sharks and seaweed, and the new partnership reflects that too. Multiple groups on campus are participating in the agreement — the departments of biology, geology, and marketing and strategy; the College of Veterinary Medicine and Edith Bowen Laboratory School.

Since the aquarium offers such a broad foundation in life sciences, the emerging research partnership will likely reflect that too. T.J. Clark-Wolf, who studies penguin community response to climate change, plans to explore ways to partner with the aquarium’s infamous colony of gentoo penguins. Julie Young, a carnivore behavior expert, will explore ways to extend her work to the aquarium’s clouded leopards.

“At Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, our mission extends beyond showcasing life on earth — we seek to inspire and educate future generations,” said Brent Anderson, founder and chief executive officer of the aquarium. “This partnership with USU is a testament to our commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate connections between our world’s ecosystems. By partnering with USU to provide students hands-on learning opportunities, we’re not only enriching their education but also empowering them to become the next leaders in marine science and conservation — right here in Utah. We are thrilled to share resources and expertise that inspire a deeper understanding of our living planet."