Collected more than 130 years ago, some of the oldest marine specimens from Galápagos are preserved at the Marine Organisms Collection of the Charles Darwin Research Station. These historic corals, gathered during the 1888 Albatross expedition, continue to provide valuable insights into the past and present of Galápagos marine biodiversity, highlighting the importance of scientific collections for research and conservation.

Orchids, art, and perseverance intertwine in this remarkable story of Daniel Weber, a Swiss architect whose passion for botany left a hidden legacy in Galápagos. Decades later, a near-lost orchid collection is rescued against the odds—revealing a powerful journey of science, memory, and the people determined to bring it back.

The G.T. Corley Smith Library at the Charles Darwin Foundation holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of publications on the Galápagos Islands. Its “Galápagos Collection” includes both scientific and grey literature, making it an invaluable resource for research and conservation. A digitization effort is underway to expand global access to this knowledge.

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.