Collaborating to Preserve Wildlife on Isabela Island

At Galápagos Conservancy, we are deeply committed to preserving the archipelago's unique biodiversity. To achieve this mission, we work closely with the Galapagos National Park Authority and the local community on several key projects , aimed at addressing pressing conservation challenges. We recently visited Isabela Island to assess the progress and achievements of our partnership, and to develop a strategy for the next phases of our efforts.

Protecting and restoring Scalesia cordata forests

During our visit, we had a thorough tour of the Galapagos National Park nursery, which has been completely restored. The nursery now plays a vital role in producing thousands of seedlings to restore the Scalesia cordata forests in southern Isabela Island, the only place in the world where the species exists. The nursery's revival has been accompanied by upgrades to the adjacent housing complex, which provides park rangers, scientists and volunteers with a safe, dry place to continually observe and propagate heart-leaved Scalesia.

This beautiful tree was once found on all volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, which form the southern part of Isabela Island, but it is now almost extinct. The nursery, now full of young Scalesia seedlings with heart-shaped leaves, is a powerful symbol of hope for the forests of the Galapagos Islands. The growth of these plants clearly demonstrates that our restoration efforts are yielding positive results, promising a bright future for the heart-leaved Scalesia and, indeed, for the vast, unique ecosystem it once comprised.

Improvements to Turtle Breeding Center

Our team visited the Arnaldo Tupiza Chamaidan Turtle Breeding Center in Puerto Villamil, where giant tortoises are bred for reintroduction into their natural habitat, mainly in the south of Isabela Island. During our visit, we appreciated the state-of-the-art turtle egg incubators provided by the Galápagos Conservancy, which continue to operate flawlessly and produce hundreds of turtle hatchlings each year. We also inspected the center's infrastructure and identified urgent roof repairs as well as needed upgrades to the facility's electrical system. These improvements, which are expected to be funded through our efforts, will ensure that the center remains a safe and effective breeding site for two species of southern Isabela Island's giant tortoises.

Ongoing collaboration for conservation

Projects such as the reforestation of Scalesia and the captive breeding of giant tortoises are made possible through the joint efforts of the Galápagos Conservancy and the Galápagos National Park Directorate. Together, we strive to not only protect endangered species, but also restore the vital ecosystems they call home.

Our Director, Dr. Washington Tapia, emphasizes: “Collaboration is essential to the success of our initiatives. By working closely with the Galápagos National Park Directorate, we are ensuring a future in which conservation and human well-being go hand in hand.”

We are proud of our collaboration with park rangers and value the support of people dedicated to the conservation of the Galápagos islands. The donations we receive are critical to the continuation of projects like those in Isabela, ensuring that these efforts have a direct impact on the protection of this fragile natural heritage. With your help, the Galapagos Islands will continue to serve as an example of how conservation can benefit both nature and the communities that depend on it.

Source: galapagos.org