In November 2020, I joined the Galapagos Verde 2050 (GV2050) team during an exciting time. The team had just returned from an expedition to Punta Manzanillo on Española Island, where they had rediscovered a small population of Lecocarpus lecocarpoides, a species thought to be locally extinct. With 50 precious seeds collected, I was given a mission: to use these seeds to help recover the only population of this endangered species on the island.

While the Galapagos Islands remain one of the best-conserved destinations in the world, they are faced with numerous challenges that are derived from growth in tourism and local population. The Charles Darwin Foundation is investigating how sustainable practices across multiple sectors such as urban planning and energy can mitigate these impacts while enhancing local community well-being through the health of the islands' socio-ecosystems.

Habla Tiburón is a project that aims to improve the long-term health of shark and ray populations in Ecuadorian waters while empowering fishing communities.

Our Ambassadors are passionate advocates that volunteer their time to enact lasting change for Galapagos and the world. Like us, they are united in their vision that if we can protect Galapagos, we can impact the world – inspiring others around the world to protect our planet’s fragile biodiversity, and ultimately protect our home. They do so by raising awareness and rallying support for our mission, while tailoring their involvement to their unique passions and skillsets.