For 26 years, scientists have returned to the misty highlands of Santa Cruz to track the impacts of the invasive quinine and of the management actions. The continuous control of invasive plants resulted in the remarkable recovery of endemic plant species, especially that of the iconic Miconia robinsoniana. This is the story of endurance, restoration, and how a long-term commitment can strengthen conservation actions to protect the Galapagos ecosystems.

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.

This year’s breeding season brought record success for the Little Vermilion Flycatcher with 39 fledglings, while the Critically Endangered Mangrove Finch continues to be a conservation priority. Discover how science, habitat restoration, and innovation are reshaping the future of Galápagos birds—and why this season marks a breakthrough in conservation.

Galápagos landbirds soar to new heights.
This year’s breeding season brought record success for the Little Vermilion Flycatcher and cautious hope for the Critically Endangered Mangrove Finch. Discover how science, habitat restoration, and innovation are reshaping the future of Galápagos birds—and why this season marks a breakthrough in conservation.

A scientific team led by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and the California Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) has confirmed that Rhizopsammia wellingtoni—a solitary coral thought to be lost for a generation— is alive and clinging to Galapagos’ underwater cliffs.

The Galapagos Islands are home to species so unique they exist nowhere else on Earth. Among these are the Galápagos penguin and the flightless cormorant, evolutionary wonders that have adapted to thrive in these remote habitats. But these incredible creatures face mounting challenges from climate change, diseases and invasive species. Protecting them is no easy feat—it takes dedication, resources, scientific knowledge, and action.

The Galapagos Islands are home to species so unique they exist nowhere else on Earth. Among these are the Galápagos penguin and the flightless cormorant, evolutionary wonders that have adapted to thrive in these remote habitats. But these incredible creatures face mounting challenges from climate change, diseases and invasive species. Protecting them is no easy feat—it takes dedication, resources, scientific knowledge, and action.

The Charles Darwin Foundation and Oceans Finance Company are delighted to announce a strategic partnership aimed at advancing crucial long-term conservation initiatives to enhance resilience to climate change in the archipelago and surrounding areas.

Two groundbreaking studies led by Stephen Blake, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Saint Louis University and Sharon L. Deem, DVM, Director of Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, in collaboration with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and teams of multidisciplinary scientists shed light on crucial aspects of the conservation of two critically endangered giant tortoise species endemic to the Island of Santa Cruz, Chelonoidis porteri and Chelonoidis donfaustoi. Both studies offer valuable insights into the challenges these emblematic species face and the strategies needed to ensure their survival in the face of potential future habitat alteration and climate change.

The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) is pleased to unveil the Galapagos Introduced Species Dashboard, the first open-access digital repository of information about species introduced to the Galapagos Islands.