Conservancy Archives - Page 23 of 28 - Galapagos Islands Travel

Healthy, sustainable eating means eating more fruits and vegetables, and less animal products. These changes in diet have been shown to decrease obesity, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis and other cancers. Because plant-based foods are less energy-intensive than animal-based food, they also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Galapagos Conservancy funded a project to promote healthy eating habits led by Andrea Noboa, a Santa Cruz Island nutritionist. Andrea believes that “everyone is responsible for what happens in our bodies.” Therefore, it is important to understand the importance of changing eating habits and to promote healthy eating.

Up to ten nutrition workshops have been supported on Santa Cruz Island. Around 100 people attended these workshops, which promoted local food consumption, especially seasonal fruits and veggies. Andrea stressed that consuming local products has the primary environmental benefit of reducing foreign species entering Galapagos. She also highlighted the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, as transportation from the mainland generates a lot of greenhouse gases.

Every day large amounts of edible food are wasted or lost, both in Galapagos and elsewhere. This contributes to climate change as well as increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Andrea discusses food waste in her workshops at home, in restaurants, and with farmers whose produce often ends in waste. Organic food is a way to reduce pollution and conserve water and energy.

Washington Tapia, the General Director of Galapagos Conservancy (and its affiliate Conservando Galapagos), believes that sustainably grown food is more nutritious, healthier and more beneficial to the Galapagos ecosystem. For increasing food security, nutrition, and hunger, it is important to reduce food waste and food loss.

Galapagos Conservancy is happy to support Andrea Noboa’s work to educate our community about interconnections between diet, health, as well as maintaining the integrity and diversity of our ecosystems.

Andrea Noboa teaching local Galapagueños about healthy habits © Andrea Noboa

Santa Cruz Island youth are learning how to take care of one of the most iconic and striking birds in the Galapagos, the Vermilion flycatcher.

Giovanna Morales is a Galapagos native who has been leading this project since March 2022 when she was awarded one of Galapagos Conservancy’s Women in Sustainability Entrepreneurship Grants. Giovanna was taught art by her grandmother as a child. Giovanna now passes on her passion for art to children as a way of inspiring them about the world around us. She uses sculpture, architecture and painting, engraving, and drawing.

Giovanna instilled a love for the environment in her children by creating a school that uses the arts to teach them how to preserve the environment. We were able to benefit 60 children from Santa Cruz Island aged 3-12 years old through this project. Each workshop lasted 60 hours. Giovanna said that 16 art exhibits were also held to display the work of the children.

Talks with experts were held about the Vermilion Flycatcher, which is a threatened species. Drawing and sculpture were used to explore the Vermilion flycatcher. Giovanna says that children can learn about nature through art, which allows them to observe, value and analyze it. This helps motivate them to protect it.” The children’s artwork now shows how important it is for Vermilion flycatcher protection.

It is well-known that students can benefit from artistic activities to enrich and enhance their learning experience and increase their cognitive, affective and psychomotor development.

It is easier to connect with nature and raise awareness about our ecosystems’ importance for our well-being. Galapagos Conservancy proudly supports Giovanna’s work to preserve the Galapagos Islands.

Local kids participating in art initiative led by Giovanna Morales © Galápagos Conservancy

The Galapagos Islands’ endemic rodents have suffered among the highest rates of extinction (Clark 1984; Dowler and al. 2000). Galapagos Conservancy funds surveys to find remnant populations of native rodents. Surveys are being conducted to locate the Aegialomys galapagoensis species on San Cristobal Island, Nesoryzomys imdefessus, and Nesoryzomys Darwini on Santa Cruz Island. These species are currently extinct on both islands. They also monitor the populations of the endemic Santiago Rat Nesoryzomys warthi

Johanna Castaneda is a Galapagos resident and will be leading the surveys. She has received support from Galapagos Conservancy’s conservation grant. The surveys may uncover species previously thought extinct and also provide information that will update the conservation status and give the environmental authority strategies for restoring the species that remain.

There are three genera of rice rats from Galapagos: Nesoryzomys and Aegialomys. The latter is considered extinct. However, the Megaoryzomys evolved into 13 endemic species. Nine of these species are currently extinct and four are considered vulnerable (Weksler, Harris, and McDonald’s, 2007; Jimenez Uzcategui, et al. 2007). These species’ declines and extinctions are often due to the introduction exotic rodents (black rats, house mice), predators like the feral cats, diseases and climate change (Clark 1980, Harris, and McDonald’s 2007).

Johanna Castaneda set up sampling stations with Sherman and Tomahawk traps that were baited with peanut butter, oatmeal, and vanilla essence. She reported that most of the sampling was done in areas with prickly pear cacti. However, she also set up Santa Cruz Island sampling stations using Sherman traps and Tomahawk traps.

Rodent Traps © Johanna Castañeda

The research has shown that three introduced rodent species ( Rattus Rattus, Rattus Norvegicus, and Mus Musculus), coexist in Santa Cruz, San Cristobal. However, there is no evidence for the persistence of the endemic species.

Santiago Island’s endemic species are limited to the Prickly Pear and Palo Santo tree zones on the coast. (Harris 2006). The endemic species N., despite the presence of house mice and black rats, is not affected by them. The healthy body weight of swarthi was confirmed. The endemic species had a higher number of males than the introduced species. This could be due to N. Swarthi is more able to survive on the few resources available in their habitat during cold seasons.

Based on the data so far, it is recommended that Santa Cruz and San Cristobal have a more extensive survey. The N. It is also recommended that the swarthi population examines whether disease has been transmitted from introduced rodents. N. should be searched in greater depth. It is important to expand the search for N.

“This study is important because it redirects the attention to endemic rodents in Galapagos. They are an important group for maintaining balance in ecosystems. Johanna emphasized that Galapagos Conservancy is worthy of our gratitude for the trust we have placed in professionals in Galapagos to help us with this research on the endangered native rodents of the archipelago.”

Dr. Jorge Carrion is the Conservation Director at Galapagos Conservancy. He believes that research is an essential conservation tool. Having current information about Galapagos species status is vital for implementing management strategies. “That is why we are happy to support this type study conducted by Galapagos professionals,” said he.

Preparation of Rodent Food © Johanna Castañeda

The Galapagos penguin is an archipelago endemic species. It is the second-smallest penguin species. Their population is concentrated on the Archipelago’s west side, at the rocky coasts of Fernandina Islands and Isabela Islands.

Galapagos Conservancy supports research on Galapagos penguins as part of its efforts to better understand this species and give us better tools for conserving it. These collaborations resulted in a publication entitled Penguins at the Equator, published by the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels. It was also published by the Galapagos National Park Directorate and the Global Penguin Society.

According to Dr. Jorge Carrion (Conservation Director at Galapagos Conservancy) and Conservando Galapagos Foundation penguins are particularly sensitive to changes in the environment. Penguins are considered sentinel species. This means that they can provide timely and valuable information to help determine if there have been ecological changes in their ecosystems. It is therefore important to consider its conservation priority and research.

The publication emphasizes several important aspects, including the fact that it is difficult to determine the population size of Galapagos Penguins because they spend so much time searching for food at sea. They hide in lava tunnels while searching for food when they’re on land. Because juvenile penguins are also present, it is possible to determine if they have successfully raised their chicks in lava tunnels. The population of juvenile penguins was less than 1% in 2015/16 during El Nino (the warming of the waters) and more than half of it during La Nina (the drop in water temperatures). To determine the health and physical condition of the penguins, scientists took measurements. To track penguins, some were given small numbers of stainless steel tags placed between their left leg claws.

Since 2000, the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species has listed the Galapagos Penguin as an endangered species. This is due to its small distribution and population size. A 2009 population census revealed that the number of Galapagos Penguins worldwide was between 1,800 and 4,700. The research also revealed that the most serious threats to Galapagos Penguins include climate change, oil contamination, plastic waste, nylon nets that can catch penguins, introduced mosquitoes and invasive species like rats, cats and dogs.

Galapagos Conservancy must continue to collaborate on conservation of this species according to Carrion. This is not only because it is endangered and under threat, but also because of its ecological value and importance, which makes it an important bioindicator.

The Decentralized Autonomous Government of Santa Cruz organized a symposium on solid waste management technology on Friday, 28 October. Galapagos Conservancy’s Conservation Action Grants program, which aims to support local institutions in their sustainability projects, funded this event.

Eighty people participated in the workshop and learned about the management and technology used by private and public companies in Ecuador. They also learned about the more popular solid waste management systems in other parts of the world. Experts from local, national and international were present. Solid waste management refers to the collection, treatment and disposal of discarded material. In recent years, movements have been made to make these processes environmentally-friendly, with more recycling and composting programs being introduced.

The technical discussion saw the participants engage in technical discussions with Galapagos residents to improve the decision-making process at both the public and private levels. This will ensure that Santa Cruz has a waste management system that is optimal.

Washington Tapia is the General Director of Galapagos Conservancy, and Conservando Galapagos. He explained that proper waste management at each stage after its generation has negative effects on the environment and human health.

Santa Cruz estimates that each month the island produces an average of 63 tonnes of organic waste, 89 tons of recyclable waste and 117 tons of nonrecyclable waste. As a result, it becomes increasingly important to have the most ecologically-productive waste management practices in place.

On October 14, distinguished guests, board members, supporters, friends, and board members joined us at the Ecuadorian Embassy in Washington, D.C. to show their appreciation and gratitude for all those who support Galapagos Conservancy. Galapagos Conservancy, our Ecuadorian affiliate, the Conservando Galapagos Foundation organized the event. This event reaffirmed the commitment of our support for the Galapagos National Park Directorate(GNPD), responsible for protecting and managing the archipelago’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Galapagos Conservancy President, Dr. Paul Salaman, stressed the importance to continue the joint work with the GNPD. Veronica Santamaria (Director of Public Spaces for the Park), said that it was an honor to participate in events such as this, where the Galapagos Islands conservation efforts are acknowledged. She stated that the collaborative management model has been a model for other countries and that they need the support to maintain the health of the Galapagos ecosystems.

Veronica also reported on progress made toward the Galapagos National Park’s first Visitor Center. This will be completed in 2023, with support from Galapagos Conservancy. The Center will be accessible to all ages and circumstances, and it will be situated next to the Symbol of Hope Hall where Lonesome George can also be seen. Through interactive 3D panels, visitors will gain a better understanding of conservation expeditions undertaken by park rangers or their aides,” Veronica explained.

In his remarks, Dr. Jorge Carrion (Director of Conservation for Conservando Galapagos) highlighted the efforts made by the Ecuadorian Government. He also thanked donors for their support. These conservation allies are vital for the preservation of Galapagos biodiversity. Galapagos Conservancy is forever grateful to all those who support conservation efforts in the Archipelago.