Results
When Mathias Espinosa dived into the ocean, the world fell silent. “Diving is a kind of yoga underwater, where the only thing you hear is your own breathing,” he used to say. That philosophy marked more than three decades of explorations, encounters, and teachings that made him one of the pioneers of sustainable diving tourism and a fervent defender of the biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands.
We are excited to announce that the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) is now a member of the Global Rewilding Alliance, an international network of over 170 organizations restoring nature around the world. Together, we believe that rewilding is one of the most powerful paths forward to tackle biodiversity loss, climate change, and the global environmental crisis.
For more than 65 years, CDF has grounded its work in rigorous science and deep commitment to conservation in the Galápagos Islands. From wildlife monitoring to habitat restoration, from policy advice to community engagement — our efforts center on restoring natural systems so they thrive. Joining the Global Rewilding Alliance now lets us share what we’ve learned, collaborate with new partners, and scale up our impact.
Ushering in a new chapter for ocean governance ratification of the BBNJ agreement.
The Galápagos Islands face a growing threat from invasive species that endanger native biodiversity. Classical biological control, using natural enemies to regulate these species, offers a sustainable and safe way to restore ecological balance and protect this unique ecosystem.
In 1969, during relentless rains on Santa Fe Island, scientist Tjitte de Vries discovered a small, well-preserved tortoise skull. Taken to the Charles Darwin Research Station, the find intrigued researchers, who believed it might belong to the island’s long-extinct giant tortoise.
Floreana Island, heavily impacted by introduced species and biodiversity loss, now hosts one of Galápagos’ most ambitious restoration efforts. With a small community and 54 species still threatened, the Floreana Ecological Restoration Project aims to recover the island’s ecological balance through the removal of invasive species and the return of native wildlife.
Discover the revival of Isabela Island’s historic Children’s Forest, a once-forgotten sanctuary of the endangered Scalesia cordata. From its origins with Don Jacinto to today’s community-led restoration, this story reconnects generations through conservation, memory, and hope. Click to explore how a beloved forest is coming back to life.
Dive into a powerful reflection on ocean decline—and the surprising places where hope still thrives. This story journeys from centuries-old seas teeming with life to today’s threatened oceans, revealing why Galápagos remains a living window into the past. Discover why witnessing these wonders fuels the fight to protect our blue planet.
Floreana Island’s past is a gripping tale of utopian dreams undone by invasive species that devastated its wildlife and community. Today, its residents are leading one of the world’s most ambitious restoration efforts—reviving ecosystems, returning lost species, and reshaping their future. Discover the real drama behind Eden and Floreana’s remarkable comeback.
The Charles Darwin Foundation has appointed Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg to its Board of Directors, effective 1 January 2026. He brings extensive leadership experience in global health, academia, and philanthropy, including senior roles at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Harvard University, and the U.S. National Academy of Medicine.
Former Ecuadorian President Rodrigo Borja played a pivotal role in strengthening the institutional foundations of conservation in Galápagos. As an Honorary Member of the CDF, he supported science-based stewardship through key agreements, governance frameworks, and lasting commitments that continue to shape conservation efforts today.
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.
Satellite tagging reveals that silky sharks spend nearly half their time outside Eastern Tropical Pacific marine reserves, exposing them to intense industrial fishing. Tracking 40 sharks from Galápagos, researchers uncover critical gaps in MPA networks and call for expanded protections to better safeguard this vulnerable, wide-ranging species in the region.
New DNA research reveals that Galápagos Vermilion Flycatchers are not one species, but a mosaic of long-isolated island lineages. By uncovering hidden genetic diversity, scientists are reshaping conservation priorities and taxonomic understanding—find out how evolution, extinction, and restoration efforts intersect across the archipelago.
Scientists in Galápagos are tracing the origin of the invasive avian vampire fly to find a safe, long-term solution. This story follows a decade-long scientific journey into biological control—where patience, precaution, and nature itself may offer new hope for endemic birds on the brink.
For the first time, international trade of a commercially important shark was banned, and protections expanded to 70+ shark & ray species.
Local expertise meets global science: the first complete genome of endangered sea cucumber advances marine conservation in Galápagos