The 1973 Master Plan for the Protection and Use of Galapagos National Park was the first comprehensive planning framework for managing the archipelago. It introduced zoning, strengthened scientific research, and formalized collaboration with the Charles Darwin Research Station, laying the foundations for modern conservation in the Galapagos Islands.

Microeledone galapagensis, a tiny blue octopus discovered 1,770 meters beneath the waters of Galápagos, highlights how much remains unknown about the deep sea. Its identification as a new species was made possible by years of preservation in the Charles Darwin Foundation’s marine collections, underscoring their importance for scientific research.

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.