In the heart of the Galapagos Islands, a tiny, unexpected hero emerged in 2002 that would change the course of conservation. The Australian ladybug (Novius cardinalis), small in size but immensely effective, became a crucial ally in the fight against an invasive insect that threatened to devastate the endemic flora of these islands. This is the story of how science, innovation, and nature itself came together to help preserve one of the most valuable biological treasures on the planet.

The Galapagos Coral Conservation and
Management Plan (GCCMP) is the outcome
of a participatory and collaborative process
involving key stakeholders, including scientists,
conservation experts, and representatives
from governmental and non-governmental
organizations. The process of building this
document included different phases: a review of
available literature, preliminary meetings among
organizing committee members, and a workshop
held in February 2023 in Puerto Ayora.

The primary objective of the GCCMP is to
promote the protection, recovery and persistence
of corals in the Galapagos Archipelago, through
the implementation of the management plan
by 2030 that will articulate lasting research
and prioritized management actions. This plan
recognizes the crucial importance of corals for
marine ecosystems, coastal protection, tourism,
fisheries and scientific research in Galapagos.

Andrea Daniela Coloma is a marine bird researcher and devoted mother of two, proving that science and motherhood can thrive side by side. Discover how her passion for conservation, rooted in the Galapagos, intersects with family life—and how the Charles Darwin Foundation supports this meaningful balance. Read her story.