Natural Wonders of Espanola Unveiled
Espanola has a rich biodiversity, including endemic species such as the Galapagos albatross, Phoebastria Irrorata – the largest bird in the archipelago – and the Cactus Finch, Geospiza scanners. Espanola’s rich biodiversity makes it a key focus for conservation and scientific research.
The Galapagos Islands Initiative Program: A Journey of Conservation
Galapagos Conservancy and the Galapagos National Park Directorate will embark on a series expeditions in Espanola, 2023. These missions were part of one our most successful programs Initiative Galapagos and aimed to protect and restore the island’s eco-systems.
The first expedition, under the leadership of Washington Tapia as executive director and scientist, released 86 young Chelonoidis Hoodensis turtles in March. The tortoises were bred in captivity and reintroduced into their native habitats to boost their population. They are vital to the ecosystem and landscape of the island, which benefits other species including albatrosses.
The next expeditions, in August and June, focused on the monitoring of vegetation and a census of albatross populations. These studies were designed to better understand the interaction between tortoises, the island’s vegetation and albatross populations. The preliminary findings indicate a stable population of albatrosses, although the effects of El Nino were evident.
Park ranger Wilson Villafuerte (left) and scientist Washington Tapia release 86 tortoises on Española Island, a key step in the island’s giant tortoise restoration process. ©Galápagos National Park
Face challenges with resilience
Espanola’s biodiversity is still under threat, despite significant conservation efforts. Our conservation director Dr. Jorge Carrion says, “The Galapagos Islands not only serve as a natural laboratory, but they are also a magnet to global tourism. Species like the albatross draw visitors from around the world.”
Iniciativa Galápagos is a great example of the power that collaboration can have. We work closely with the Galapagos National Park Directorate to unite passionate scientists and dedicated rangers on a shared mission of conserving Espanola, the entire archipelago, and experts. This commitment goes beyond local efforts and resonates globally in our quest to conserve this remarkable part of the planet.
The Future Generations: A Commitment
Our expeditions in Espanola demonstrate our commitment to protecting this unique ecosystem. We are dedicated to making the Galapagos Islands a beacon for sustainable tourism, and a testament of the wonders that biodiversity can bring. Carrion summarizes our mission by saying, “Our work is more than conservation. It’s a heritage we are building for the future generations.”
Panoramic view of Española island, spanning 60 km² and renowned one of the oldest and most diverse islands in the Galápagos Archipelago. ©Galápagos Conservancy
Monitoring Critical Climatic Conditions
In a major step for research, the Ecuadorian Navy’s Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute has deployed a second oceanographic beacon in the Galapagos Archipelago. The buoy will be used to monitor environmental conditions and in particular those related the El Nino phenomena. This device is a complement to another buoy that was placed earlier in 2023, 110 nautical miles away from the Santa Elena Peninsula.
This expanded ability to collect environmental data will enhance preventive and protection measures for the Galapagos Archipelago. The buoys have sensors that capture a wide range of oceanographic and meteorological data including air temperature, wind direction and speed, precipitation and atmospheric pressure. They also measure wave patterns and ocean currents.
The collected data, which is of utmost importance, is sent to INOCAR’s Ocean Monitoring Center, in real time, where it is analyzed and used to produce climate forecasts. These forecasts are crucial for a wide range of activities, from navigation and fisheries to risk management and science research.
The Commitment to Protection Continually
Dr. Jorge Carrion is our Conservation Director and he emphasizes the need to monitor El Nino’s impact on Galapagos. “Protecting Galapagos ecosystems requires a constant and meticulous effort.” He says. We are committed to being vigilant and to taking quick actions to protect the integrity of these eco-systems from any anomalies caused by El Nino.
We are unwavering in our commitment to protect Galapagos, its biodiversity and the natural environment. We can continue to work tirelessly for a safe future for this natural treasure thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Through continuous tracking and data analysis, the buoys can predict phenomena like El Niño, which significantly impact global weather and oceanic conditions. ©INOCAR Ecuador
Galapagos Conservancy is proud of its efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Few years ago, these plastics were a serious threat to the unique ecosystems of the archipelago, especially the marine environment. Galapagos’ use of single use plastics has decreased significantly since a program was launched to reduce its use.
Galapagos Conservancy is committed to supporting local communities’ involvement in conservation and sustainability on Galapagos. We can preserve the natural beauty of Galapagos by promoting responsible and sustainable practices, and educating the public on the importance to protect the environment.
They act as natural ocean cleaners. The sea cucumbers clean the ocean by consuming debris and sediment. This activity is crucial for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. The sustainable management of sea cucumber fishing within the Galapagos Marine Reserve has a high priority, both from a socioeconomic and an ecological perspective.
On October 1, 2023, a new sea cucumber fishing season was authorized within the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The decision was based on strict technical criteria, outlined in a five-year fishing schedule and backed by extensive monitoring that indicated the sea cucumber population recovered enough. The opening of any fishing activity in the region must be approached with caution to ensure that this valuable marine resource is conserved and used sustainably.
Local fishermen can only harvest sea cucumbers if they have valid Artisanal Fishermen of the Marine Reserve licenses (PARMA), issued by the Galapagos National Park Directorate. The permits allow the holders to also participate in other fisheries approved within the Galapagos Marine Reserve.
Commitment to sustainability and the future
On October 25, the Environmental Authority Resolution No. 203 for this year, which established a catch quota set at 600,000 sea cucumbers, was reached. On October 25, the 203 quota for this year was met. The commercialization of sea cucumbers and the transportation period ended on November 2, 2020.
This shows that the government is committed to finding a balance between resource use and conservation. The fishery was limited to certain islands while important conservation areas such as Bolivar Channel were designated as nurseries with no harvesting permitted.
Galapagos Conservancy supports an ecosystem-based management approach, which recognizes the ability of ecosystems to sustain local communities. This approach is demonstrated by the recent sea cucumber fishing, which demonstrates that it is possible for species and habitats to be conserved while still meeting local needs.
As part of the management measures to ensure resource sustainability, Galápagos enforces minimum catch size of 7.9 inches fresh and 2.8 inches processed for sea cucumbers. ©Galápagos National Park Directorate
Galapagos: A Global View
The Galapagos archipelagos efforts to foster harmony between humans and nature are an inspirational global model. The Galapagos Archipelagos’ practices and commitments demonstrate the possibility and necessity of a coexistence between humans and nature. This lesson is applicable worldwide.
Park rangers Galo Rueda (L) and Gonzalo Sevilla enforce fishing regulations in Galápagos to conserve marine resources. ©Galápagos National Park Directorate
Focus on Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism
The teachers underwent a 40-hour intensive training program to integrate ecotourism in the Galapagos Contextualized Curriculum. The program was enhanced with hands-on fieldtrips organized by the ECOS Foundation. This foundation collaborated closely with civil society to create Experiential Learning Scenarios.
This educational strategy’s ultimate goal is to increase awareness of the importance of sustainable travel among youth. The facilitators stressed the importance of responsible resource usage and the role of sustainable tourism in the region as an important economic activity.
Galápagos educators display their zeal for learning, engaging in a comprehensive 40-hour training program focused on ecotourism. ©Galápagos Conservancy
Impact on Education and Community
Washington Tapia our general director highlighted the significant contribution of the institute to Galapagos Education. He said that the institute provides educators with essential tools to help them raise a generation of Galapagos conservationists who are aware of the island’s uniqueness and committed to its preservation.
The Educational Institutes are important in enhancing the curriculum and promoting sustainability. The institutes began in 2016 and have now become an annual fixture of the Education for Sustainability Program. This is a collaborative effort between Galapagos Conservancy (GC), the Galapagos District Education Directorate (GDED) and the Scalecia Foundation, under a framework of inter-institutional collaboration.
Jenny Macias is the director of the Education for Sustainability Program. She stated that this initiative goes beyond training teachers. The ultimate goal of the program is to raise environmental awareness and improve educational quality among more than 7,000 students in the province. Jenny said that by empowering teachers to use innovative and sustainable educational approaches, future Galapagos generation leaders will be shaped who actively contribute to conservation of the archipelago, as a social-ecological system.
Hands-on, experiential learning sessions core elements of the innovative teaching methodologies adopted at the institute. ©Galápagos Conservancy
At 29 years of age, Jean Pierre Cadena is already a leader in the world of conservation in this precious place. He holds a Master’s degree in Conservation Planning and Sustainability and puts his academic expertise into practice daily to the benefit of the flora and fauna of his incredible home. Currently, Jean Pierre leads aspects of native species conservation for the Park.
Among Jean Pierre’s most notable efforts to date has been his co-leadership work on the ecology and conservation of the Critically Endangered Pink Iguana. With very few numbers left, the Pink Iguana is one of the world’s most endangered species, but not much was known about their breeding behavior until this work carried out by Jean Pierre and Johanes Ramirez, the GNDP, and Galapagos Conservancy. With the support of Galapagos Conservancy, Jean Pierre and his colleagues have carried out vital work that has generated discoveries in only their first year of research on the status and behavior of this extremely rare iguana on the brink of extinction.
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Jean Pierre on the field ©Joshua Vela
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What does a typical day look like for Jean Pierre?
From the first light of dawn, Jean Pierre wakes up excited about what the day holds. Around 5:30 a.m., he rises and prepares the necessary materials for his fieldwork — work that can take him far into the wilderness of the archipelago. Due to the long days and the impossibility of returning to the camp during the day, Jean Pierre carries enough food and water to sustain himself for the day, with extra in case he gets stranded and is unable to return for days.
“The early morning hours are the most productive for data collection, as many species are more active during that time. Additionally, the weather conditions in the early morning are favorable for longer excursions,” said Jean Pierre.
These field trips usually last between 10 and 15 days, and during this time Jean Pierre immerses himself entirely in his conservation work. Though his days are often very intense, Jean Pierre never complains. He is in love with his work and knows that every moment counts.
Jean Pierre is convinced that supporting the development of young professionals from Galapagos, who will be the next generation of conservation leaders, is one of the best ways to contribute longterm to the archipelago’s conservation efforts. He says he greatly appreciates the support Galapagos Conservancy provides to young conservationists like him.
This young professional is an example of dedication and passion for the conservation of Galapagos. Jean Pierre’s commitment and contributions to species protection are truly admirable, and his inspiring story reminds us of the importance of preserving the archipelago’s unique biodiversity and working together to ensure a sustainable future for Galapagos and future generations.
Jean Pierre alongside park rangers ©Joshua Vela