December marks the start of one of the most exciting activities of the year in Galápagos: the Christmas Bird Count. Now in its ninth consecutive year, this event, organized by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) in collaboration with key partners, combines science, community, and fun to celebrate and protect the incredible diversity of birds on our islands.

Embarking on a trip to the Galapagos Islands is an unforgettable experience, but packing for it requires some special consideration. To help you prepare, the researchers at the Charles Darwin Foundation have curated the ultimate packing list.

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.

December marks the start of one of the most exciting activities of the year in Galápagos: the Christmas Bird Count. Now in its ninth consecutive year, this event, organized by the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) in collaboration with key partners, combines science, community, and fun to celebrate and protect the incredible diversity of birds on our islands.

Cristian Peñafiel, our field assistant for the giant tortoise conservation program, was interviewed by our donor, Galapagos Conservation Trust, to share his experience studying these iconic animals.

After nearly 70 years, the Opuntia echios cactus is naturally regenerating on Plaza Sur. This milestone marks a triumph for the Galápagos Verde 2050 program’s decade-long restoration efforts. Discover how science, teamwork, and innovation are helping revive a fragile island ecosystem—one cactus at a time. Read the full story.

Scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation’s shark ecology and conservation program and collaborators, have published what is likely the first-ever scientifically recorded birthing migration for the critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini).

The Charles Darwin Foundation and Oceans Finance Company are delighted to announce a strategic partnership aimed at advancing crucial long-term conservation initiatives to enhance resilience to climate change in the archipelago and surrounding areas.

In Galapagos, 83% of the landmass falls within the arid zone. Restoring plant communities in this zone is challenging and slow, and natural regeneration in severely degraded areas is very limiting. Our scientists work to restore the arid habitat across various islands in the archipelago, notably Baltra Island, which has undergone significant human alteration, and special use sites such as garbage dumps and quarries on inhabited islands.