The Charles Darwin Foundation strengthens academic collaborations in Lausanne and Zurich, Switzerland

The Charles Darwin Foundation celebrates 65 years of innovation, development, and science in service of conservation

Start your own fundraiser today and us help inspire others to protect and preserve the unique fauna and flora of Galapagos!

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.

In the heart of the Galapagos Islands, a tiny, unexpected hero emerged in 2002 that would change the course of conservation. The Australian ladybug (Novius cardinalis), small in size but immensely effective, became a crucial ally in the fight against an invasive insect that threatened to devastate the endemic flora of these islands. This is the story of how science, innovation, and nature itself came together to help preserve one of the most valuable biological treasures on the planet.