Conservancy Archives - Page 17 of 28 - Galapagos Islands Travel

Tortuga Bay, on Santa Cruz Island, is a stunning destination that draws tourists and locals to its turquoise waters and white sand beaches. Tortuga Bay’s stunning landscape and marine wildlife make it a must-see for nature lovers.

The Galapagos National Park Directorate opened a new visitor’s control booth in April at Tortuga Bay. This was a major step forward in conserving the insular and maritime biodiversity. The new $261,000 facility aims to improve tourist control and to prevent the introduction non-native species into the iconic site.

The new control station is more than a simple tourist checkpoint. The control booth also has a terrace, with resting areas and lookout points to take in the breathtaking views. It was also designed to achieve a vital objective: to protect the ecological integrity and balance of Tortuga Bay. This is done by preventing non-native species from entering the bay, registering them, and controlling their entry.

This new measure protects the pristine beach environment of Tortuga Bay, as well as its diverse wildlife. Danny Rueda is the Director of the Galapagos National Park. He says that this new facility will provide new recreational areas to the local community, while also ensuring strict tourist and environmental controls.

Tortuga Bay is a prime example of why it’s important to preserve the Galapagos Islands marine and coastal eco-systems. It is not only one of the most beautiful beach in the Archipelago but it is also a vital habitat for marine fauna such as turtles, seabirds and iguanas. It is vital to implement measures that protect the site’s ecological integrity for the sake of future generations.

Galapagos Conservancy congratulates GNPD for the new visitor checkpoint at Tortuga Bay. This is great news for nature lovers, and those who are working to promote sustainable tourism.

Renewed entrance to Tortuga Bay © GNPD

Seabirds provide vital information about the state of our oceans, and their availability. Understanding bird populations, their feeding habits and migration patterns provides valuable information on the state of ecosystems.

Flightless Cormorant is a bioindicator of seabirds and an iconic species in the Galapagos Islands. This non-flying species is only found on the islands of Fernandina & Isabela.

Flightless Cormorants are named for their atrophied wing muscles, which prevent them from flying. The species adapted to the Galapagos Islands, where there were no terrestrial predators back two million years. This allowed them to feed easily without the need to fly long distances. The main ingredients of its diet are fish, squids, octopuses and eels from coastal waters. Flightless Cormorants swim better than their flying counterparts and are often seen relaxing on large rocks near to the coast, after hunting for food.

The Flightless Cormorant breeds during the coldest months of the Archipelago, usually between July and October, when marine foods are more abundant. The female typically lays three to four eggs in a clutch. However, only one chick survives. The male and female both take part in the incubation of the eggs, and they continue to share responsibility for feeding and protecting chicks. When the chicks are able to take care of themselves, the female will leave to find a new mate. The male is left to look after the chicks. Females can reproduce as many as three times per annum.

The IUCN Red List classifies the species as Vulnerable. According to the Galapagos National Park Directorate’s latest count in 2022 there are approximately 2,085 individuals. Flightless Cormorants are threatened by predators like snakes, cats, rats, owls and hawks. They can also be eaten by sharks. Experts say that despite these threats they can live up to 50-years.

Galapagos Conservation recognizes the importance of protecting seabirds including the Flightless Cormorant of Galapagos. Like other seabirds this species performs important ecological functions within the Galapagos ecosystems. Flightless Cormorants will continue to live on the coasts of Fernandina, Isabela, and the other Galapagos islands for generations to come if we dedicate our efforts to fighting invasive species, illicit fishing, and all other threats.

Flightless Cormorants © Joshua Vela

Danny Rueda and Washington Tapia of Galapagos National Park signed a cooperation agreement on April 11, 2018. This alliance aims to enhance the conservation efforts carried out by National Park in order to protect the marine and land ecosystems of Galapagos.

This agreement is a significant step towards the conservation of natural treasures throughout the Archipelago. Collaboration between the two organizations will improve, among others, management programs of emblematic species, eco-system restoration, the Rapid Response Network and the monitoring program of Sea Turtles.

This agreement is a great opportunity for Galapagos Conservancy to strengthen our support for the Galapagos National Park Directorate. We recognize the hard work done by the park rangers in ensuring the conservation of Galapagos eco-systems and their unique biodiversity. Tapia stressed the importance of combining efforts to protect and conserve ecosystems, as well as the species who inhabit them, to ensure their ability to serve current and future generations.

In the last decade, the partnership between Galapagos Conservancy (GC) and the GNPD has resulted in world-renowned conservation projects, including Iniciativa Galapagos. This partnership has made a significant contribution to the protection and preservation of some of the planet’s most precious ecosystems. This cooperation will be strengthened to ensure a sustainable future in the Archipelago.

We must all work together to preserve the natural beauty of Galapagos. Galapagos Conservancy reaffirms their commitment to support the GNPD’s work in caring for and restoring the protected areas on the Archipelago. Tapia said, “This agreement shows that we can have a positive effect on conservation and that future generations will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of Galapagos and the opportunities it provides for the local population.”

Isabela Giant Tortoises © GTMEP

Teachers’ Day is celebrated in Ecuador and we would like to express our gratitude to the 430 PreK-12 Galapagos Teachers who teach more than 7,000 children across four inhabited Islands. Galapagos Conservancy believes that education is the key to a sustainable future in the Archipelago. We support these teachers’ important work in shaping the next generations of leaders in conservation.

Teachers are at the core of the sustainability movement in the Islands. They use a project-based approach to engage students in learning about their community and environment, both inside and outside the classroom. Teachers have been leading units in the last year on topics such as marine and terrestrial biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, and renewable energy. Teachers’ unwavering commitment is crucial in inspiring and motivating their students to become advocates of conservation and sustainable development.

Galapagos Teachers faced a number of challenges as they adapted to the new online teaching methods. Teachers at Galapagos demonstrated a commitment to students and education that was exceptional despite these challenges. They continue to work tirelessly in order to improve their students’ learning.

We honor Galapagos educators today for their dedication and commitment to education. We thank you for sharing with your students your knowledge and experience and for your unwavering commitment to inspiring future generations.

We are committed as an organization to support education in Galapagos, and to partnering with teachers so that we can build a sustainable future. Galapagos Conservancy supports teachers in promoting conservation and sustainable development through innovative programs like Education in Sustainability. These include real-life projects, community involvement and engaging with the local community. These teachers are inspiring the next generations of leaders to protect their cultural and natural heritage.

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22, a day to reflect on individual actions and their impact on the environment. This day reminds us that we must protect and conserve our planet.

Galapagos Conservancy, a non-profit organization that has been protecting this unique biodiversity and ecological treasure for 38 years, is dedicated to protecting it. The generosity of conservationists and donors, as well the dedication of islanders who are dedicated to conserving Galapagos, make our conservation efforts possible. Galapagos Conservancy works closely with Conservando Galapagos – a local sister organization that has a dedicated team of professionals who work to protect the biodiversity of the Archipelagos.Galapagos Conservancy has a commitment to sustainability, ensuring long-term conservation and the well-being for the inhabitants of the Galapagos Islands. We would like to thank the Galapagos National Park Directorate on this Earth Day for all their hard work protecting this Natural Heritage Site of Humanity.

Galapagos Conservancy is committed to protecting the environment. You can help by taking daily action. Reduce plastic waste at home by using reusable water bottles and bags, reduce energy consumption and water usage, and support sustainable products and businesses are all simple, but effective, ways to protect Earth. Even small daily actions can make a big difference to the health of our planet.

Let’s all celebrate Earth Day by remembering the importance of conserving and protecting our planet for future generation. We can make a difference by donating to Galapagos Conservancy and other conservation organizations. We can also participate in local conservation efforts or clean-up projects, and we can raise awareness of the importance conservation ecosystems and its biodiversity. Together, we can have a positive effect on the health and well-being of our planet. Happy Earth Day.

Sea Lions

Beach pollution on the Galapagos Islands has serious implications for the wildlife and local economy. Garbage on the beach can have a negative impact on fishing and tourism. It is therefore important to keep beaches and seas clean to protect the biodiversity of the area and to ensure the well-being and economic prosperity of the local people.

Galapagos Conservancy understands the need to address this issue and in 2022 supported a project of the Galapagos National Park Directorate. This project aimed to increase awareness of the negative effects of wastes on the ecosystems of the coast and ocean, the human health and local economies. On visits to El Garrapatero and Puerto Chino beaches, Punta Carola and La Loberia, 65 students collected 575 pounds of plastic waste and examined the distribution and presence of microplastics.

These microplastics, which are smaller than 5 millimeters in size, accumulate on beaches and oceans. Microplastics are formed by the degradation of large objects such as bags, bottles and fishing nets. These materials, despite their small size, take a very long time to break down and will never disappear in nature. They can be consumed by marine fauna, which could have serious effects on their health.

Washington Tapia is the General Director of Galapagos Conservancy. He stressed the importance of engaging young people in the fight to reduce pollution in Galapagos eco-systems. Tapia stated that the young people of Galapagos are the future and present leaders. By participating in beach clean-ups and learning proper waste management techniques, they will be able to acquire the knowledge and skill necessary to make responsible and sustainable choices in the future.

Galapagos Conservancy is happy to celebrate the success of the GNPD in implementing this project and proudly supports conservation initiatives that include Galapagos Students. We can protect the environment by taking responsibility for our actions and protecting it.

Beach clean up initiative with Galápagos students