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.

In a joint effort to protect the unique biodiversity of the islands, representatives from the public and private sectors, NGOs, transport cooperatives, and local governments gathered to understand the factors and solutions to reduce bird mortality on the roads of Galápagos caused by vehicles, the road connecting Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca Channel is of great importance as it passes through protected and productive areas of the island.

In a joint effort to protect the unique biodiversity of the islands, representatives from the public and private sectors, NGOs, transport cooperatives, and local governments gathered to understand the factors and solutions to reduce bird mortality on the roads of Galápagos caused by vehicles, the road connecting Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca Channel is of great importance as it passes through protected and productive areas of the island.

The new Galápagos Atlas 2026 offers a 309-page look at 68 species and species groups, combining purpose-built distribution maps with something rarely found in a reference guide: a clear record of what scientists still don’t know. Free to explore online, it highlights critical knowledge gaps and invites future research to strengthen conservation.

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.