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Author: Romina

Galapagos Science Center and the Galápagos National Park Strengthen Science for the Future of the Archipelago at the VIII Galápagos Research and Conservation Symposium

Galápagos once again became the setting for the archipelago’s premier scientific gathering. The VIII Galápagos Research and Conservation Symposium brought together more than 470 participants to showcase research on biodiversity, oceans, health, conservation, and sustainable development, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration among academia, institutions, and the local community.

Local Seafood to Drive a New Child Nutrition Model in the Galápagos

Learn about the new project led by the University of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and the Galapagos Science Center, an initiative that aims to improve the nutrition of nearly 500 students through locally sourced seafood and agricultural products, while advancing scientific research and promoting healthier, more sustainable food systems. Read the full press release to learn more about this initiative.

Marine iguanas have lower metabolic rates during El Niño

Marine iguanas of the Galápagos (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) are the only lizard species in the world that feeds in the ocean, relying almost exclusively on algae. During the El Niño climate event, rising ocean temperatures reduce the availability of this food source, leading to periods of scarcity. This research examines how these climatic changes affect their physiology and body condition.

In 2022, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the broader UNC & USFQ Galapagos Initiative will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. We are proud to announce the World Summit on Island Sustainability scheduled to be held on June 26–30, 2022 at the Galapagos Science Center and the Community Convention Center on San Cristobal Island.

The content of the World Summit will be distributed globally through social media and results documented through papers published in a book written as part of the Galapagos Book Series by Springer Nature and edited by Steve Walsh (UNC) & Carlos Mena (USFQ) as well as Jill Stewart (UNC) and Juan Pablo Muñoz (GSC/USC). The book will be inclusive and accessible by the broader island community including scientists, managers, residents, tourists, and government and non-government organizations.

While the most obvious goal of organizing the World Summit on Island Sustainability is to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the GSC and the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, other goals will be addressed through special opportunities created as part of our operational planning of the World Summit.

For instance, we seek to elevate and highlight the Galapagos in the island conservation discourse, seeking to interact with other island networks in more obvious and conspicuous ways to benefit the Galapagos Islands, the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, and the world. We will seize the opportunity to further develop the I2N2 – International Islands Network-of-Networks. Further, we wish to highlight and emphasize multiple visions of a sustainable future for the Galapagos Islands and we cannot do this alone. Therefore, engaging the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism, the Government Council of Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park, and local Galapagos authorities, including government and non-government organizations and local citizen groups, is imperative.

The Galapagos Science Center on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

Borrowing from Hawaii’s and Guam’s Green Growth Program and the Global Island Partnership, we wish to examine existing global programs that emphasize island sustainability and their incorporation into life, policies, and circumstances in the Galapagos Islands. We will also seek to enhance our connections with the institutional members of our International Galapagos Science Consortium and expand the Consortium through the recruitment of other member institutions. We will also work to benefit islands and their local communities by working with citizen groups as well as important NGOs who seek to improve the natural conditions in the Galapagos and diminish the impact of the human dimension on the future of Galapagos’ ecosystems.

Lastly, we will use the World Summit to benefit UNC & USFQ and our constituencies through a strong and vibrant communication plan about the World Summit, creating corporate relationships as sponsors, identifying funding goals through donors, and benefiting our study abroad program for student engagement in the Galapagos Islands. We plan to develop and issue a Galapagos Sustainability Communique after the World Summit that includes the vision and insights of all its participants for a sustainable Galapagos with applicability to global island settings.

We are eager to hear your perspective and have you join us at the World Summit on Island Sustainability!