The Charles Darwin Foundation and WWF launch project "Habla Tiburón" to promote the conservation of sharks and rays and empower fishing communities in mainland and insular Ecuador

October 3, 2023, marks the beginning of the implementation phase of the Floreana Ecological Restoration Project, the largest and most ambitious restoration initiative currently underway in the Galapagos Islands.

Scalesia forests once thrived on the Galapagos Islands, forming a unique humid ecosystem for plants, insects, giant tortoises and birds. Today, only 1% of the forests’ original distribution remains, with several endemic species, including the Scalesia themselves, struggling to survive. We are working to restore this important habitat and given the rapid rate of forest loss, it is a race against time.

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.

Restoring Floreana isn’t about small plots—it’s about healing an entire island. Discover how large-scale habitat restoration underpins species recovery, why forests like Scalesia matter, and how science, patience, and collaboration are reshaping one of Galápagos’ most ambitious conservation projects—with lessons that could inform island restoration worldwide.

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.