Phil van Haarlem was truly a force of nature. In celebration of his life, and to honour his time with us over the last 10 years, we have asked colleagues and friends to tell us their unique experience with Phil, whom we miss dearly.

Discover how Galápagos waters fuel Ecuador’s economy and fight climate change. A groundbreaking study by CDF and partners reveals the immense value of marine ecosystems—from carbon-storing mangroves to booming tourism and fishing industries. Learn why protecting these waters is essential for sustainable development and global conservation efforts.

For the first time, the Charles Darwin Foundation opens Galápagos’ largest scientific collections to the public. Housing over 137,000 specimens, this new facility offers a rare glimpse into the science shaping conservation decisions and safeguarding one of the planet’s most extraordinary ecosystems.

After more than 180 years, 158 endangered giant tortoises have returned to Floreana Island, marking a historic milestone in the Galápagos’ largest restoration effort. Discover how science, community leadership, and global collaboration are bringing back a lost lineage—and rebuilding an entire ecosystem from the ground up.

Scientists in Galápagos have recorded the most successful breeding season ever for the critically endangered Mangrove Finch, one of the world’s rarest birds. Discover how years of conservation work, innovative nest-protection strategies, and collaboration are offering new hope for this species’ survival in the remote mangrove forests of Isabela Island.