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Tag: Galapagos Science Center

Microbiological studies detect Mycoplasma in Galapagos sea lions

A few days ago Galapagos Science Center (GSC) researchers Soledad Sarzosa and Diego Páez-Rosas, together with several renowned researchers, published their work called “Appearance of mycoplasmas in Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) and its association with other respiratory pathogens.”

Reactivando la comunidad de Galápagos a través de la ciencia

El objetivo era promover la conservación de los recursos y la sostenibilidad en las Islas Galápagos y, al mismo tiempo, apoyar a la comunidad local. Se seleccionaron siete proyectos bien merecidos de 28 propuestas de la comunidad local de San Cristóbal. El proyecto liderado por Nicolás Balón se centró en la restauración ecológica.

Reactivating the Galapagos community through science

This last year has shown the importance and power of community. Through funds raised during GiveUNC 2020, UNC Center for Galapagos Studies partnered with Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) as well as the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) to create REACCT (Re-Activating the Economy through Science, Community and Work).

Female Power in Science

The gender gap in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is no secret to anyone. Historically, the presence of women in these areas has been limited and despite the fact that there are great efforts to promote spaces for women’s participation, many of them still have to face difficulties and obstacles that are just due to their gender.The Galapagos Science Center seeks to recognize the invaluable work that women carry out.

El poder femenino en la ciencia

Para nadie es un secreto la brecha de género existente en el campo de la ciencia, la tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas (STEM). Históricamente la presencia de las mujeres es estos ámbitos ha sido limitada y a pesar de que existen grandes esfuerzos por promover los espacios de participación de las mujeres, aún muchas de ellas deben enfrentarse a dificultades y obstáculos que obedecen únicamente a su género.

Darwin and Wolf, The home of the Vampire Finches

Jaime Chaves, professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito and a researcher at the Galapagos Science Center (GSC), has been studying finches in the Galapagos Islands for several years. A few days ago, along with Kiyoko Gotanda and Daniel Baldassarre, he published the article titled, “Vampire finches: how Galapagos birds evolved to drink blood” in the digital magazine, The Conversation.

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!