From the heart of the Galapagos, discover how science, community, and conservation unite to protect sharks, turtles, seabirds, and more. Explore the threats, the efforts, and how you can help safeguard our shared blue planet.

Every year since 1971 we have welcomed and trained volunteers from all over the world who are committed to the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. Volunteers are a vital part of what makes the Charles Darwin Foundation such a special place to be.

Scientists Discover a Novel Herpesvirus in Galapagos Pink Land Iguana

The Eastern Tropical Pacific conceals extraordinary, vast deep-ocean ecosystems, plunging from oceanic islands to depths of 3,800 meter, most of which remain largely unexplored, presenting real challenges for effective protection and management. Despite their significance, these ecosystems are poorly understood and subject to persistent threats, including overfishing, climate change, pollution, and the prospect for deep-sea mining.

In a joint effort to protect the unique biodiversity of the islands, representatives from the public and private sectors, NGOs, transport cooperatives, and local governments gathered to understand the factors and solutions to reduce bird mortality on the roads of Galápagos caused by vehicles, the road connecting Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca Channel is of great importance as it passes through protected and productive areas of the island.

In a joint effort to protect the unique biodiversity of the islands, representatives from the public and private sectors, NGOs, transport cooperatives, and local governments gathered to understand the factors and solutions to reduce bird mortality on the roads of Galápagos caused by vehicles, the road connecting Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca Channel is of great importance as it passes through protected and productive areas of the island.

The Board of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands (“CDF”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lúcia G. Lohmann, Andrew Balfour, and Mary C. Pearl to its Board of Directors, with immediate effect. Each new member brings unique expertise and a deep commitment to CDF’s mission of safeguarding the Galapagos Islands through science and conservation.

What can giant tortoises teach us about health, science, and hope?
Follow researcher Gislayne Mendoza from her roots in San Cristóbal to the rugged landscapes of Galapagos. Her story unveils surprising virus discoveries, the power of local science, and why protecting these ancient creatures means protecting the delicate balance between wildlife, people, and planet.

With a heart-shaped face and silent wings, the Galapagos barn owl is a quiet force of balance in the archipelago’s ecosystems. Endemic to the Islands, this elusive predator controls invasive rodent populations, supporting the survival of critically endangered species and ongoing ecological restoration. In the shadows of lava tunnels and forest canopies, it hunts with precision—and reminds us that even the smallest wings can carry the weight of conservation.

Travel to the Galapagos Islands and help protect these iconic places. Discover the Charles Darwin Foundation's essential travel tips for responsible tourism.

Meet the charming Galapagos penguin—the only wild penguin north of the equator and one of the most endangered. Discover how science, conservation, and your support through symbolic adoption can help protect this unique species. Click to learn how you can make a real difference for penguins and the planet.

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.