Meet CDF entemologist Karen Vera who talks about her work in the field and how it contributes to the restoration of Galapagos ecosystems.

October 3, 2023, marks the beginning of the implementation phase of the Floreana Ecological Restoration Project, the largest and most ambitious restoration initiative currently underway in the Galapagos Islands.

The Charles Darwin Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report highlights a year of scientific discoveries, conservation milestones, ecological restoration, and institutional growth across Galápagos. From species recoveries to new research infrastructure and large-scale restoration efforts, discover how science, collaboration, and local capacity are shaping a more resilient future for the archipelago.

Have you ever thought about what you could do to help nature and people live in harmony? Environmental education offers a simple yet powerful answer. It acts as a bridge that connects learning with action, inspiring us to care for our planet through small steps that, when combined, lead to significant change.

For more than 60 years, the research undertaken at the Charles Darwin Foundation has focused on furthering our understanding of the natural systems, their relationship with those living in the archipelago, and the intricate and relationship with those living in the archipelago, and the intricate and delicate balance between climate, mankind, and nature. Major research efforts have also focused on the prevention, control, and eradication of invasive species to maintain Galapagos as one of the best-conserved archipelagos in the world.

The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) is pleased to announce that 16 individuals of the rare plant Scalesia retroflexa were found growing on the steep, rocky coastal slopes of the southeastern point of Santa Cruz Island. Scientists from CDF’s Galapagos Verde 2050 ecological restoration team, in collaboration with rangers from the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), made this discovery during a recent expedition, renewing hope for the survival of this endemic species.

The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) is pleased to announce that 16 individuals of the rare plant Scalesia retroflexa were found growing on the steep, rocky coastal slopes of the southeastern point of Santa Cruz Island. Scientists from CDF’s Galapagos Verde 2050 ecological restoration team, in collaboration with rangers from the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), made this discovery during a recent expedition, renewing hope for the survival of this endemic species.

After more than 180 years, giant tortoises have returned to Floreana Island—reviving a lineage once thought extinct. Discover how hybrid tortoises were identified, bred, and carefully reintroduced, and why their comeback marks a turning point for island restoration, ecosystem recovery, and one of Galápagos’ most ambitious conservation efforts.

After more than 180 years, 158 endangered giant tortoises have returned to Floreana Island, marking a historic milestone in the Galápagos’ largest restoration effort. Discover how science, community leadership, and global collaboration are bringing back a lost lineage—and rebuilding an entire ecosystem from the ground up.

Little Vermilion Flycatcher populations are declining at a rapid rate due to the impacts of invasive species, particularly on the island of Santa Cruz where only 30 breeding pairs are found. By adopting a Little Vermilion Flycatcher you will help us restore their habitats and reduce the impacts of invasive species. Your donation will also enable us to investigate ways to recover the species on the islands where it has disappeared.