Founded in 1959, the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galápagos Islands is an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research for the conservation of the environment and biodiversity of the Galapagos archipelago.

Our Mission

The mission of the Charles Darwin Foundation and its Research Station is to tackle the greatest threats and challenges to Galapagos through scientific research and conservation action, in order to safeguard one of the world’s most important natural treasures.

Our Mission

The mission of the Charles Darwin Foundation and its Research Station is to tackle the greatest threats and challenges to Galapagos through scientific research and conservation action, in order to safeguard one of the world’s most important natural treasures.

Our Vision

Our Vision is to be the world’s leading research institution dedicated to the conservation of the biological diversity and natural resources of Galapagos, and committed to building a sustainable and collaborative society to achieve this objective.

A deep scientific heritage

Since its founding in 1959, the Charles Darwin Foundation and its Research Station has been committed to the conservation of the archipelago, working hand in hand with the Galapagos National Park Directorate to protect and preserve Galapagos. Our research and complementary actions have provided tangible results throughout the years, such as:

1965

The establishment of the Breeding and Repatriation Program for Giant Tortoises.

1965

1971

The discovery of Lonesome George, the last known survivor of the giant Pinta tortoises.

1997

Led the Isabela Project with the GNP, which oversaw the eradication of goats and pigs – the principal cause of species declines of numerous species – in the north of Isabela, as well as on the Islands of Santiago and Pinta.

1997

1998

Supported the creation of the Galapagos Marine Reserve, which in 2021, was adjoined by the Marine Reserve Hermandad – adding an additional 60,000 km2 of protected marine habitat to the region.

Over the years, we’ve amassed an invaluable body of knowledge and data, including the largest Galapagos Natural History Collections on the Islands with more than 135,000 specimens across four collections: marine organisms, vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. The collections, which are accessible to researchers worldwide, are a critical baseline of information as we continue to further our understanding and knowledge of the biodiversity of the Galapagos.

Find out more about our heritage and various institutional achievements here:

Download

A longstanding partnership

The Charles Darwin Foundation carries out its mission with the endorsement of an Agreement with the Ecuadorian State since 1964 that was renewed on July 29, 2016 for an additional 25 years. The new agreement ratifies the importance of the unique alliance between the Ecuadorian Government and the Charles Darwin Foundation for the conservation of the Galapagos Islands.

Download