A Galapagos Conservancy Board Member enabled the purchase of equipment for DNA sequencing through Goldman Sachs gives. The equipment transfer and gift was made possible by an Inter-Institutional Cooperation Agreement, which was facilitated in Ecuador by the Conservando Galapagos Foundation, ABG’s operating arm.
Galapagos Conservancy also provided ABG with additional resources in order to improve quarantine controls through the automation of the Sworn Declaration of Goods. This is a requirement of all visitors to Galapagos. This process is currently done using manual forms that are distributed during flights. The new digital system online will eliminate paper, reduce errors and increase efficiency.
Jean Pierre Cadena is the Executive Director of ABG. He stressed that ABG’s donation and collaboration with Galapagos Conservancy would enhance their diagnostic capability. The new equipment will speed up analysis and allow for immediate response to new threats, he said.
Galapagos Conservancy’s Director General, Dr. Washington Tapia emphasized our organizations’ shared commitment to Galapagos conservation, stressing the importance of close collaboration with local authorities and community. This shared responsibility is essential to a sustainable future of the archipelago.
Galapagos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site requires constant vigilance. ABG’s work is crucial in mitigating the threats that face this unique archipelago. We continue to work with ABG, thanks to the support of our donors, in order for them and us both, to regulate and control the risk of introducing or spreading exotic species, which could threaten biodiversity, local economies, and the health of residents and tourists.
We are delighted to support and contribute to an institution that is working tirelessly to conserve the Galapagos ecosystems. Our donors’ unwavering support has been integral to our conservation effort. We are grateful.
