MenuGalapagos Conservation Trust
WebsiteDescription
Galapagos Conservation Trust is the only UK registered charity focussed solely on the conservation of one of the most unique and ecologically important, but vulnerable, areas in the world, the Galapagos Islands.
With over 21 years of experience, we partner with Ecuadorian authorities, NGOs, local communities and leading researchers both in Galapagos and the UK to support impactful Science & Conservation programmes and deliver community outreach across the Archipelago through our Education & Sustainability programme.
By raising funds and awareness in the UK, we are able to support and deliver conservation and education projects in Galapagos, helping to contribute to the overall management of this unique ecosystem and helping us to achieve maximum positive impact in our efforts to conserve the Islands.
Mission Statement
Galapagos Conservation Trust's mission is to support, develop and promote projects that achieve measurable conservation, sustainable living, and protection of the environment of Galapagos.
Program Details
By raising funds and awareness in the UK, GCT is able to support and deliver projects in Galapagos and respond to key threats facing the Islands, focusing on restoring natural habitat, protecting species and reducing the human footprint, helping to contribute to the overall management of this unique ecosystem.
As part of our long-term, measured approach to projects, we have developed two flagship programmes. This includes our Plastic Pollution Free Galapagos Programme that is combining ground-breaking scientific research with coordinated education and outreach to make Galapagos the first plastic pollution free Archipelago in the world. We have a diverse range of project partners working at different levels, both internationally and in Galapagos to help make this ambitious goal possible. From oceanography models and “Garbology” research identifying sources of plastics reaching Galapagos, to targeted beach cleans with local communities, the programme is using state of the art scientific research to find sustainable solutions for this pressing issue.
Our second flagship programme, Restoring Floreana, is seeking to restore the ecosystem of the island by removing invasive mammals that have had disastrous impacts on its native species. Once removed, the island will be allowed to recover naturally and we hope to reintroduce locally extinct species including the Floreana mockingbird, which has not been seen on the island since the 1920s. The programme has full community buy in and will support local livelihoods through more sustainable agricultural practices.
As well as our flagship programmes, we support a host of projects from studying and protecting the migratory routes of sharks through the Galapagos Marine Reserve; measuring the nesting success and hatchling survival of Galapagos giant tortoises; to monitoring newly reintroduced land iguanas to their original islands.
