Learning Through and About Galápagos
It is difficult to care and love about something you don’t know. Education for Sustainability helps students and teachers understand the Islands and the wider world. Every action we take has consequences. Understanding the environment helps us all to make better decisions, individually and collectively. Mayra Flores is a school principal on Isabela Island and […]
Intense Monitoring Secured 400 Nests of Galápagos Sea Turtles
Visitors to the Galapagos Islands will be amazed at the sight of majestic Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas), as they glide along the archipelago’s turquoise coastline waters. Because it is the most important nesting site in the eastern Pacific, the Galapagos archipelago makes it an important location for Green Sea Turtle conservation. Sea Turtles are […]
Interview with Ecuadorian Minister of the Environment
Gustavo Manrique was our guest and we discussed the current conservation priorities of the Ministry. Manrique served almost two years as Ecuador’s lead administrator for environmental issues. 1. What is the Hermandad Marine Reserve and what are its benefits? Executive Decree 319 established the Hermandad Marine Reserve. It is located on the northeastern corner of […]
Entrepreneur Revives Traditional Foods With Eco-Friendly Focus
Many Galapaguenos were forced to seek alternative jobs after tourism was cut off abruptly. Tania Quisingo, Santa Cruz Islander, made crisis into an opportunity by starting her family’s business, “Le Vid”, which sells healthy snacks. Tania started by selling granola and chocolate to her family, friends and neighbors. Tania’s mission to save traditional food in […]
Walter Chimborazo The Tortoise Expert
Walter and I can be found almost every day at the Fausto Llerena Giant Tortoise Breeding Center on Santa Cruz Island. To restore Galapagos’ most endangered species, I am a field assistant for the Galapagos National Park Directorate. We ensure their daily needs are met. The animals are fed fresh plants, such as Porotillo (Common […]
2 Cyanobacteria Helpful Indicator of Reef Ecosystem Stress
Galapagos Conservancy is a non-profit organization that protects and restores the Galapagos Islands. This challenge requires ongoing monitoring of the state of the ecosystems. Recent research by Dr. Jon Witman, Brown University, and co-funded by Galapagos Conservancy has shown that cyanobacteria rapidly expand in the rocky subtidal regions of central Galapagos. Cyanobacteria is a photosynthetic, […]