Today, I find myself here, by the sea, writing about my experience living on an island. It all started when I was searching for an opportunity, and I found a living dream instead: volunteering in the Galápagos. I applied to the Landbird Conservation Program of the Charles Darwin Foundation and had the privilege of becoming part of their team.Today, I find myself here, by the sea, writing about my experience living on an island. It all started when I was searching for an opportunity, and I found a living dream instead: volunteering in the Galápagos. I applied to the Landbird Conservation Program of the Charles Darwin Foundation and had the privilege of becoming part of their team.

Planning your trip to the Galapagos Islands? Here are our top travel tips to help you prepare for an unforgettable and responsible journey to this unique destination.

Scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) have, for the first time, assessed the conservation status of mangrove ecosystems in the Galápagos Islands using the Red List of Ecosystems methodology developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The study concludes that this ecosystem is classified as Vulnerable, underscoring the urgency of its conservation. The full report is available in the EcoEvoRxiv repository.

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.

Savanna Barry, a collaborating scientist joined the Charles Darwin Foundation to study invasive frogs, restore endangered Scalesia forests, and dive into coral reef research. From field transects to fish dissections, these field notes reveal the science, mentorship, and conservation challenges shaping the future of the Galápagos.

The Charles Darwin Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report highlights a year of scientific discoveries, conservation milestones, ecological restoration, and institutional growth across Galápagos. From species recoveries to new research infrastructure and large-scale restoration efforts, discover how science, collaboration, and local capacity are shaping a more resilient future for the archipelago.

The Galápagos Responsible Fishing Network brings together artisanal fishers, conservation organizations, scientists, and private-sector partners to promote sustainable fishing practices, traceability, and responsible markets. Through technology, collaboration, and transparency, the initiative strengthens local capacities while supporting marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and community well-being.

Discover the Charles Darwin Foundation, established in 1959 to protect the Galapagos Islands' fragile ecosystem. As the oldest and largest science and conservation organization in the archipelago, our Research Station leads efforts to preserve this unique environment through groundbreaking research and conservation milestones.