Daniela, Author at Galapagos Islands Travel

Youth Leadership and Conservation Inspired by Experiential Learning

Environmental conservation and experiential learning have become increasingly important in the Galapagos Islands. A growing number of islanders recognize that education is a key tool in raising environmental awareness. Sebastian Pilla is a Galapagos native and a shining example. He embarked in 2023, in his last year of university, on an inspirational initiative with the financial backing of Galapagos Conservancy.

Sebastian developed his educational program “Experiential processes for Adolescents & Youth in Galapagos Community” based on two educational initiatives to promote the care of Galapagos Islands.

The first initiative aimed to encourage community leadership in young people by encouraging them to analyze community issues and find solutions that align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The second initiative aimed to use photography as a tool for conservation through workshops, photographic excursions, and educational activities, in collaboration with local scientists and park rangers.

This project offered experiential learning in protected areas in order to promote an appreciation of the natural environment, and to remind the community about the privilege it is to live in the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos National Park Directorate and other allies provided strategic support to the project.

Activities included workshops that focused on SDGs. They also included talks with local stakeholders and visits to agroecological farming operations. The program’s activities included experiential workshops focused on the SDGs, talks with local stakeholders, visits to agroecological farms, monitoring of emblematic species, and ecosystem restoration.

Dr. Jorge Carrion is our Director of Conservation and he commends Sebastian on his leadership in this project, which has motivated the Galapagos Youth to be more engaged with their environment. Jorge Carrion believes that young people such as Sebastian are essential allies for conservation. He is confident that Sebastian’s project can significantly foster community interest in caring for and improving the Galapagos Islands.

Over 60 youth received hands-on education and learned in an enjoyable manner how to protect their home, the Galápagos Islands © Sebastián Pilla / Galápagos Conservancy

Galapagos Sustainable Style Revolution: How one woman is leading the way

Diana Garcia’s inspiring story is a great example of how sustainable fashion can be found in the Galapagos Islands. Diana Garcia, with the support of Galapagos Conservancy is changing the textile industry in her locality by combining beauty and environmental responsibility. She’s also reshaping how we perceive fashion.

Diana, a Galapagos-based resident, has led a pioneering sustainable fashion project. She drew on her impressive 20 years’ experience in textiles. Her workshop, which is guided by the 3Rs – recycle, reuse and reduce – gives new life to discarded materials. It creates a variety of accessories and decorative items, from bags, cushions, bows, and headbands. The creative upcycling reduces carbon footprint and pollution by a significant amount.

The impact of the project has been extraordinary. Diana is a shining model of responsible and efficient use of natural resources. She has captured the attention of consumers who are committed to sustainability. The success of the initiative has also led to increased production and part-time employment, boosting economic growth and resilience for the Galapagos Community.

Diana thanked Galapagos Conservancy deeply for its role in her mission to promote sustainable fashion. She attributes the success of her project to the “invaluable” support she received from Galapagos Conservancy. This help allowed her upgrade her workshop, adding industrial machines and workbenches, which ensured more efficient production.

We are proud to support female entrepreneurs such as Diana, whose efforts promote a sustainable culture in the archipelago. Diana’s story is a testimony to the power of a bold vision backed up by proper support to transform an industry and contribute to an economically and environmentally sustainable future for our island.

[one_second]

Diana’s eco-friendly approach shines as she crafts fabric bags from recyclable materials, advocating for reduced plastic bag usage. ©Galápagos Conservancy

[/one_second]

[one_second]

With creativity and sustainability, Diana crafts beautiful cushions from fabric scraps, showcasing the beauty of recycled materials. ©Galápagos Conservancy

[/one_second]

Galapagos Conservancy, in collaboration with the Galapagos National Park Directorate and to celebrate World Turtle Day on May 23rd, is working to protect and conserve Galapagos Giant Tortoises. Both organizations collaborate through the Initiative Galapagos to restore ecosystems and ensure the survival of these fascinating creatures.

The nonprofit American Tortoise Rescue established World Turtle Day in 2000 to promote global awareness of the importance and threats to turtles and tortoises, and to encourage conservation efforts. The IUCN Red List classifies the Galapagos Giant Tortoise as Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Critically Threatened due to a variety of factors.

Washington Tapia is the General Director of Galapagos Conservancy. He pointed out that historically, Galapagos giant tortoises were hunted for their oil and meat, resulting in a dramatic decrease in population. Their vulnerability has been further increased by habitat degradation, invasive species and illegal trafficking. Tapia said that it is important to take immediate measures to protect and preserve these species. This will ensure the maintenance of ecological integrity in the ecosystems where they live and promote greater awareness about their importance to ecosystems.

The Iniciativa Galapagos Program has made significant progress in conserving the Giant Tortoise by restoring the native ecosystems of islands and the Giant Tortoise. Some of the notable achievements are the protection of nesting areas and the optimization of captive breeding programs.

Galapagos Conservancy takes pride in focusing its conservation efforts to these majestic creatures across the Archipelago, and being part of one the most successful restoration program around the world. Iniciativa Galápagos shows how public-private collaboration can have a positive impact on the conservation of threatened species. Tapia said that “our commitment” is to protect and preserve these amazing reptiles every day.

Maria Daza is a conservation educator who understands the Galapagos Islands as a living laboratory. She encourages the next generation to become environmentalists. Daza, who works at the Galapagos National Park Directorate, has spent decades promoting holistic development in children and environmental awareness. Daza was able to share with Santa Cruz Island Schools her passion for conservation thanks to the Galapagos Conservancy.

Daza’s environmental project included regular school visits where principals and teachers were educated on various environmental issues. These visits benefited 3,767 individuals, including teachers, students and staff. They learned about the negative effects of single-use bags, the benefits of biodegradable and compostable bags, and alternatives to plastic.

Daza also organized puppet shows, and distributed biodegradable and compostable bags to all participants. The bags will reduce plastic waste in the community by a significant amount. They naturally decompose into organic fertilizer after 180 days. Daza stresses the importance of eco-friendly bags, which are the best alternatives to single-use disposable plastics. They can be used to transport goods, package food and collect organic waste. This promotes sustainable practices while reducing environmental impact.

This initiative has been a success, as evidenced by the positive response from the local population and the impact it has had on the environment. Daza argues that education is not limited to the classroom and that it’s important to encourage students to embrace and learn about environmentally friendly alternatives. It is essential to learn how to reduce, re-use, and sort waste in order to build a sustainable future on the Galapagos Islands.

Daza’s unwavering commitment to environmental education and conservation has been inspiring. Galapagos Conservancy is proud to support initiatives that make a real difference in protecting this unique ecosystem. Together with locals such as Daza, we’re building a better future for the Galapagos Islands where education and conservation go hand-in-hand to preserve this incredible treasure.