Gala

Care is where connection begins… a quiet act that grows into understanding, protection and an enduring bond between humans and the natural world. Behind every animal at the Aquarium lies a team devoted to their care. From the steady hands and hearts that nurture them to the intricate systems that sustain life unseen, each act of support reflects a harmony between compassion, science and purpose.

Through extraordinary imagery and moving stories, see the world through their eyes: those who dedicate their lives to protecting the animals that inspire us all. Join world-renowned National Geographic photographer, author and conservationist Joel Sartore at the South Carolina Aquarium Gala for an elegant evening celebrating care, connection and conservation. Together with the Aquarium’s closest advocates, we honor the remarkable individuals whose unwavering commitment to wildlife reminds us how compassion, when shared, ripples outward for generations to come.

Meet Joel Sartore

Joel Sartore is a photographer, author, speaker and National Geographic Explorer known for documenting endangered species and landscapes to show a world worth saving. A regular contributor to National Geographic, his work has also appeared in Audubon, The New York Times, Life, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated and numerous book projects, as well as in national broadcast media. He is the founder of the National Geographic Photo Ark, a multi-year documentary project to photograph every species in zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries — an effort that inspires conservation action through education and supports efforts to protect wildlife and their habitats.