As President of the Board of Directors of the Charles Darwin Foundation, I write to share our concern and gratitude for you during this unprecedented and rapidly changing global crisis. We hope you are taking good care to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. Our supporters and partners are part of the CDF family and your health and well-being are important to us.
Your support has been particularly impactful during this period of global crisis. Most non-residents have already been evacuated, and the Galapagos are now almost entirely cut off from the rest of the world. CDF takes seriously our responsibility to staff, volunteers, scientists, key stakeholders and visitors, and as such, have taken steps to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 at our Research Station in Galapagos, and to ensure our science and conservation work continues. We are also in contact with the Ecuadorian government to explore ways in which we can contribute to the safety of the local community in Puerto Ayora.
Although there are no known cases of Coronavirus in Galapagos, we are taking precautions. The Ecuadorian Government’s measures to close the borders and especially access to the Galapagos, have been timely, but they also bring challenges for CDF. In response, we’ve closed the Exhibition Hall and other tourist attractions at our Research Station and field-trips have been suspended by the Galapagos National Park Directorate until further notice. All public scientific events and other outreach activities have also been postponed.
Our scientists continue to work to analyze data, publish academic papers and share their findings. Furthermore, our educators are developing new curricula, as well as sharing “stay-at-home-activities” for local and national families and students. Our administration staff will continue its work remotely and basic attention, following this emergency sanitary protocols, is being provided to maintain the Charles Darwin Research Station at its minimum capacity of operations, such as caring of Natural History Collections, labs and key delicate equipment. All this with the committed spirit of our staff.
Once again, thank you for your loyal support, stay safe and healthy, and we’ll be in touch with further updates as they develop. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please contact us directly at cdrs@fcdarwin.org.ec.
With kind regards,
Hans van Poelvoorde
President of the Charles Darwin Foundation
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