Galapagos Giant Tortoise
Photo: Wes Walker

Working closely with the Galápagos National Park Directorate, Galapagos Conservancy fulfills a vital role in the preservation, protection and restoration of the unique and fragile ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands. 

Mission

Galapagos Conservancy's mission is "to advance and support the conservation of the unique biodiversity and ecosystems of Galapagos through directed research, informed public policy, and building a sustainable society." 

Tortoises went extinct on Santa Fe Island in the mid-1800s due to human exploitation. On June 27, 2015, Galapagos Conservancy and the Galapagos National Park brought 201 young Española tortoises, the most genetically similar to the extinct Santa Fe species, to begin to repopulate the island with tortoises.

Projects

Galapagos Conservancy contributes to a number of important restoration efforts in the islands, including the Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative, a multi-year project to restore populations of giant tortoises to historical numbers across the archipelago.

Galapagos Conservancy also supports efforts to increase the Galapagos penguin population by constructing artificial nests, restore critically endangered land bird populations like the mangrove finch through a captive rearing program, investigate and mitigate the ongoing threat of invasive species, and much more. 

Building educational programs for local communities
Photo: Sandra Tapia, courtesy of Galapagos Conservancy

In addition to restoration efforts, Galapagos Conservancy provides leadership and expertise in "knowledge management" to build infrastructure and protocols for the various scientific communities to access and share data and other resources.

Galapagos Conservancy also works to create a sustainable society through education initiatives that foster environmental stewardship and sustainable development.  INCA has been a proud supporter of the Conservancy's educational initiatives since their inception.

What you can do to help

Subscribe to the Galapagos Conservancy newsletter.  Information is a vital tool in helping protect and conserve the  fragile ecosystems of the Galapagos.  An informed public is far better equipped to take the necessary actions needed to help restore the environment.

Become a Galapagos Conservancy member. Help fund the projects undertaken by Galapagos Conservancy.

Travel with Galapagos Conservancy.  INCA has been privileged to operate Galapagos Conservancy's annual cruise since 2009. Join Galapagos Conservancy's Science Advisor Dr. Linda Cayot and lead INCA Naturalist Richard Polatty aboard INTEGRITY for an educational cruise in the Galapagos.