Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands

#ImpactReport | 🌿 Mangroves are among nature's most powerful allies against climate change, protecting coastlines, storing blue carbon, and providing nursery habitats for marine life. Yet in Galápagos, much remains to be discovered. In 2025, our scientists: • Recorded 1,500+ observations on floating mangrove propagules. • Monitored the growth of 300+ branches using innovative photogrammetry. • Tracked 700 propagules and assessed 50 seedlings. • Investigated how mangroves support marine food webs and climate resilience. 🌊 Every discovery strengthens the science needed to protect these vital ecosystems and the biodiversity they sustain. Read more in our 2025 Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/eSwDbMyx 📷 Octavio Aburto, Carlos Espinosa/CDF #Galapagos #Mangroves #BlueCarbon #ClimateAction

Can art help save coral reefs? 🎨🪸 A new study published in Science Advances argues that science alone is not enough. Protecting coral reefs also requires storytelling, creativity, and public engagement to inspire collective action. 🌊 Led by ocean conservation leader Monica Medina and co-authored by a diverse group of experts from around the world, including our marine scientist Inti Keith, the paper sparked the creation of the Coral Art-Science Consortium, coralartscience.org, an international initiative bringing together scientists, artists, communicators, and conservation leaders, including Sylvia Earle, to transform how the world connects with and cares for coral reefs. The article was also selected for the cover of Science Advances, featuring artwork by renowned marine artist Courtney Mattison. Read the full publication here: https://lnkd.in/grUYjvH8 📸 Inti Keith/CDF, Courtney Mattison #CoralReefs #MarineBiodiversity #MarineBiodiversity #MarineScience

#Blog | Galápagos remains one of the world's greatest living laboratories for understanding evolution. 🐦🌎 In this exclusive interview, biologist, ornithologist, and Charles Darwin Foundation General Assembly member Juan Manuel Carrión reflects on the extraordinary birds of Galápagos, the discoveries that transformed our understanding of evolution, and the importance of science in protecting the archipelago for future generations. 🌿📖 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e8y2nGTE 📸 Mara Speece/CDF #Galapagos #Evolution #BirdConservation #Science

¡Felicitamos a los ganadores de la Beca de Sostenibilidad William Durham! 🌿 En la Fundación Charles Darwin creemos que la sostenibilidad se construye desde muchas perspectivas. Por eso nos emociona apoyar tres investigaciones que contribuirán a un mejor entendimiento de Galápagos, su presente y su futuro. 🔬 Dra. Diana Astorga García (Docente Investigadora-Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Ecuador) estudiará el papel de los microorganismos en la calidad del agua, un componente esencial para la salud de los ecosistemas y de las comunidades humanas que habitan en las islas. 🚶♀️ Dra. Karla Romina Quintero Moran, PhD (Docente Investigadora-ESPOL, Ecuador) investigará cómo la movilidad y la relación de las personas con el territorio pueden aportar a una conservación más sostenible e inclusiva. 🗺️ Dr. Hugo Romero Toledo (Docente Investigador-Universidad Autónoma de Chile) explorará la historia y la geografía cultural de Galápagos para comprender cómo, la memoria, los saberes y las relaciones entre las personas y la naturaleza pueden ayudar a construir un futuro más sostenible. Felicitamos a el y las investigadoras y les deseamos mucho éxito. La FCD se complace de apoyar proyectos que buscan fortalecer el conocimiento y la sostenibilidad de Galápagos. 💚 #Becas #Sostenibilidad #Sustainability #Fellowship

#ScienceonStage | The Charles Darwin Foundation is proud to participate in the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS 2026) in New Zealand. Our Principal Investigator of the Marine Biodiversity Program, Inti Keith, will present our long-term coral reef monitoring program and advances in underwater photogrammetry, developed in close collaboration with the Galápagos National Park Directorate. These initiatives provide high-resolution data to better understand how coral reef ecosystems are responding to climate variability and future climate change, while supporting science-based conservation and adaptive management. 🌊🪸 We are also excited to showcase the recently launched Galápagos Coral Conservation Plan (https://lnkd.in/e4rbKuN4), a collaborative roadmap to strengthen the conservation, restoration, and resilience of coral ecosystems across the archipelago. 🌎🤝 ICRS brings together the global coral reef community to share knowledge, build partnerships, and advance solutions for one of the planet's most valuable ecosystems. We look forward to contributing to this important conversation. 📸 Inti Keith/CDF #ICRS2026 #CoralReefs #CoralConservation #MarineBiodiversity

#ImpactReport | Monitoring Galapagos seabirds in the face of threats 🐧🪶Long-term monitoring is key to protecting Galapagos' most vulnerable seabirds. In 2025, our team expanded health assessments and population surveys across the archipelago, helping detect emerging threats before they spread. 🔹 1,870 feather samples analyzed 🔹 700 blood samples collected 🔹 402 antimicrobial resistance samples processed 🔹 50 avian influenza swabs collected This science helps safeguard endangered species like the Galapagos penguin and flightless cormorant. 🌊👉 Read our 2025 Impact Report to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eSwDbMyx #ImpactReport #Galapagos #Seabirds #MarineBirds

#Blog | Every shark species has evolved its own strategy to survive. 🦈 From schooling scalloped hammerheads to resting whitetip reef sharks, solitary tiger sharks, and highly migratory whale sharks, their behavior reflects different ecological roles and conservation needs. 🌎 Understanding where sharks feed, rest, and migrate helps scientists identify the habitats and migration routes that are essential for protecting these remarkable species.  🌊📖 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eEbK2RR3 📸 Jordi Chias, Carlos Robalino/CDF, Billy Bensted-Smith/CDF, Jonathan R. Green #Sharks #Galapagos #MarineScience #Conservation

#CienciaenEscena | Nuestra investigadora principal del Programa de Especies Terrestres Invasoras, la Dra. Heinke Jäger, participó como conferencista magistral en el Simposio Latinoamericano de Control Biológico (IOBC.NTRS), realizado en Guayaquil, Ecuador. 🌿 🌎 Durante el evento, Heinke presentó la charla magistral "Desarrollo de un agente de control biológico para la mora invasora (𝘙𝘶𝘣𝘶𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘶𝘴) en Galápagos", donde compartió los avances de una línea de investigación enfocada en desarrollar soluciones sostenibles para una de las plantas invasoras más problemáticas del archipiélago. El simposio reunió a científicos, estudiantes, profesionales, empresas y agricultores de toda Latinoamérica para intercambiar conocimientos y promover el manejo biológico de plagas y enfermedades como una herramienta para la conservación de la biodiversidad y una agricultura más sostenible. 📷 ESPOL, Carmen Castillo/Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Beatriz Pérez/FCD #Galápagos #ControlBiológico #EspeciesInvasoras #Scalesia

#ImpactReport | Understanding climate impacts on green sea turtles. 🐢🌎 Galapagos is home to one of the most important green turtle nesting populations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. In 2025, our scientists expanded long-term monitoring at Quinta Playa to better understand how climate change is affecting nesting success. 🔹 126 nests evaluated 🔹 129 temperature sensors installed 🔹 Monthly drone surveys tracking beach changes By monitoring nests, temperatures, and habitat, we're generating the science needed to protect future generations of green sea turtles. 🌊👉 Read our 2025 Impact Report to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eSwDbMyx 📷 Joshua Vela #ImpactReport #Galapagos #SeaTurtles #ClimateChange #MarineConservation #Biodiversity #CharlesDarwinFoundation

Tomorrow's the day! 🐦🌍 We're excited to be joining Global Birdfair 2026 from 10 to 12 July in Rutland, UK. If you'll be attending, stop by Stand S60 in the Swallow Marquee to meet our team and learn how science is helping protect the extraordinary birdlife of Galápagos. 🐧🌿 This year's theme, Preventing Island Extinctions, perfectly reflects the work we do every day to conserve Galápagos landbirds and seabirds. Come meet Hannah Wood, our Director of Strategic Partnerships, Europe, and Cristian Poveda, PhD candidate at the University of Exeter, and chat with us about conservation, research, and the future of island biodiversity. 📍 See you tomorrow at Stand S60! More information: globalbirdfair.org #GlobalBirdfair2026 #GlobalBirdfair #Galapagos #BirdConservation #Seabirds #Landbirds #Conservation #Biodiversity #NatureIsTrending #Birding