Galapagos Newsroom

July 30, 2010: GC NEWS: Conservation challenges remain as the World Heritage Committee removes Galapagos from the list of Sites in Danger
July 07, 2010: CDF NEWS: Galapagos Lichen Survey Leads to Wealth of New Discoveries
July 01, 2010: GC NEWS: Galápagos giant tortoise saved from extinction by breeding programme
June 24, 2010: GNP NEWS: The GNPS surveys the interior and south coast of Española Island
June 07, 2010: GC NEWS: Pinta Tortoises Debut on NBC's "The Today Show"
May 25, 2010: CDF NEWS: Charles Darwin Foundation Joins International Year of Biodiversity Celebrations
May 05, 2010: GC PRESS RELEASE: The Historic Return of Giant Tortoises to Pinta Island
April 22, 2010: GNP NEWS: Galapagos Reforestation to Help the Planet
April 16, 2010: CDF NEWS: CDF Executive Director Dr. J. Gabriel Lopez on Nationwide Presidential Radio-TV Broadcast
April 15, 2010: GNP NEWS: Shark Breeding Sites Identified in the Galapagos Marine Reserve
March 22, 2010: CDF NEWS: Charles Darwin Foundation Hosts International Workshop on Island Sustainability in a Globalized World
March 05, 2010: GNP NEWS: Galapagos National Park helps recently hatched tortoises to leave their nests; GNP NEWS: Images circulating on the Internet were not taken in Galapagos
February 28, 2010: Message from CDRS Executive Director about Chilean Earthquake Tsunami Threats
February 19, 2010: GNP NEWS: 160,000 people visited the Galapagos Islands in 2009
February 12, 2010: GNP News: The Galapagos National Park Service does not authorize sport fishing tournament in Galapagos
February 03, 2010: GC News: Team of Veterinarians Prepare Hybrid Tortoises for Release on Pinta Island in 2010
January 15, 2010: GNP NEWS: Monitoring of Sea Turtle Nesting Sites; GNP NEWS: Tortoises from the Island of Pinzón are Relocated to Be Bred in Captivity; GNP NEWS: The GNPS Investigates the Health of Sea Lions
December 16, 2009: GNP NEWS: Eggs from Lonesome George's Companion are Infertile, Once Again
December 09, 2009: GNP NEWS: Galapagos National Park, Tour Operators, and Naturalist Guides Revise Cruise Itineraries
December 07, 2009: CDF News: Charles Darwin Foundation among Leading Marine Scientists to Signal Importance of Galapagos to Study of Climate Change
November 19, 2009: Galapagos Conservancy Welcomes New Board Chair; CDF NEWS: Charles Darwin Foundation Advises Isabela Municipal Government on Sustainable Development Plan
November 18, 2009: Galapagos Conservancy Donors Rally Around CDRS/GNP 50th Anniversary and Become "Patrones de Floreana"; Galapagos Conservancy and FUNDAR Join Forces in Galapagos; Galapagos Conservancy and the Galapagos National Park Service Sign Cooperative Agreement
November 04, 2009: Galapagos Fishermen Help Preserve the Islands
October 26, 2009: Join GC President 10/30 at Washington, DC Smithsonian Event: Galapagos in the 21st Century
October 15, 2009: Galapagos Conservancy Teams Up with Smithsonian on October 30, 2009
October 06, 2009: GNP NEWS: More Hope for Lonesome George!
September 28, 2009: GNP NEWS: Galapagos National Park Monitors 70 Visitor Sites in the Archipelago; Galapagos Climate Change: The Local Reality
September 14, 2009: GNP NEWS: New Project Launched - Protection of the Native Biodiversity of Galapagos
September 09, 2009: GC NEWS: $110,000 Raised for Pinta Island Restoration Challenge Grant Campaign
September 08, 2009: CDF August 2009 Conservation Newsletter Posted; CDF NEWS: Charles Darwin Foundation and UNESCO Sign Sustainable Development Agreement
August 21, 2009: Pink Iguana is OFFICIAL: Zootaxa Publishes Description Paper of this New Species
August 19, 2009: GNP NEWS: GNPS Controls Fire Ants that Endanger Giant Tortoises; GNP NEWS: 150 Mangrove Finches Remain in Galapagos--GNPS Strengthens Protection Efforts
August 18, 2009: GNP NEWS: Update on Mosquitoes in Galapagos
July 30, 2009: GNP News: Galapagos Petrels Nesting on Isabela Island
July 29, 2009: CDF News: Symposium is a Turning Point for Galapagos Conservation Science
July 21, 2009: GNP NEWS: New Nest Found in Lonesome George's Corral
July 20, 2009: CDF NEWS: Charles Darwin Foundation Hosts International Science Symposium to mark its Golden Anniversary
July 10, 2009: GNP NEWS: Illegal Fishing Boat Captured AGAIN by the GNPS
July 02, 2009: GNP NEWS: 50 YEARS of Conserving Galapagos for Humanity
June 22, 2009: CDF NEWS: Charles Darwin Foundation congratulates Doctors Peter and Rosemary Grant for their Kyoto Prize
June 19, 2009: GNP NEWS: Baltra Island Becomes Part of Galapagos National Park
June 08, 2009: CDF NEWS: Medium Tree Finch uplisted to Critically Endangered
June 05, 2009: GNP NEWS: The Galapagos National Park reviews Tourism Permit Applications
June 04, 2009: GNP NEWS: The GNPS Presents Textbooks in Natural Sciences
May 28, 2009: GNP NEWS: Sea Cucumber Monitoring Ends in the GMR; GNP NEWS: Naval Ship Runs Aground in Galapagos
May 26, 2009: GNP NEWS: Satellite system to monitor ship traffic in the marine reserve; GNP NEWS: Native Garden Planted at Local School
May 18, 2009: GNP NEWS: 101 Pink Iguanas Found on Wolf Volcano
May 15, 2009: GNP NEWS: Continued Monitoring for Invasive Goats
May 04, 2009: Cleve Hickman recognized for outstanding contributions to natural science
April 30, 2009: GNP NEWS: Expedition to Study Pink Iguanas; GNP NEWS: Galapagos Swine Flu Protection
April 27, 2009: CDF NEWS: Charles Darwin Foundation Calls for Increased Protection of At-Risk Species
April 23, 2009: CDF News: CDF at the International Climate Change Workshop
April 22, 2009: GNP NEWS: Volcanic Activity of La Cumbre Increases
April 17, 2009: GNP NEWS: 41,000 Visitors to Galapagos in First 3 Months of 2009; CDF NEWS: Fernandina Volcano Update
April 16, 2009: GNP NEWS: Climate Change Experts Meet in Galapagos; GNP NEWS: Volcano Eruption Slows Down; GNP NEWS: Fruit Flies Still Present in Galapagos
April 14, 2009: GNP NEWS: UPDATE on Volcano on Fernandina Island
April 13, 2009: GNP NEWS: Volcano Erupts on Fernandina Island
April 08, 2009: CDF NEWS: Mangrove Finch Conservation to Continue; CDF NEWS: Spring 2009 Conservation Update
April 06, 2009: FIshermen Caught in Galapagos Marine Reserve
March 26, 2009: CDF NEWS: Charles Darwin Foundation and the Province Farming Authority of Galapagos Unite to Combat Introduced Species; Fire on Isabela is Not Affecting Endemic Species
March 17, 2009: CDF NEWS: Prince Charles Commits His Support to the CDF to Benefit Galápagos
March 16, 2009: CDF NEWS: Royal Visit to Galapagos: Prince Charles Declares his Admiration for the CDF
March 05, 2009: GNP NEWS: The Period for Galapagos Tourism Applications Closes; GNP NEWS: Monitoring Fire Ants on Alcedo Volcano
February 23, 2009: TESL Volunteers Needed in Galapagos!; Rat Extermination Work on Isla Lobos
February 22, 2009: Sustainable Alternatives for Sea Lions
February 20, 2009: CDF NEWS: Charles Darwin Foundation Receives Merit Prize for Conservation in Santa Cruz
February 10, 2009: Monitoring of Sharks in Populated Ports and Visitor Sites in Galapagos
February 05, 2009: Limiting Bird Deaths Caused by Vehicles
February 04, 2009: GNP NEWS: Flamingo Census Conducted by the Galapagos National Park
January 23, 2009: IWC Launches Tribute of Charles Darwin Foundation's 50th Anniversary; All of Lonesome George's Eggs are Infertile
January 16, 2009: Small Tour Boat Sinks
January 06, 2009: Pink Iguana: Genetic Studies Reveal a New Species in Galapagos
December 17, 2008: Scientific Expedition to Wolf Volcano Returns
December 04, 2008: PRESS RELEASE: Hopes Dashed for Lonesome George
December 03, 2008: Fall 2008 Update from the Charles Darwin Foundation
November 21, 2008: Hopes for Lonesome George's Offspring Dwindle
November 10, 2008: PRESS RELEASE: Felipe Cruz Awarded US Conservation Prize
October 27, 2008: Ecuador Approves New Constitution: Voters Approve Rights of Nature
October 01, 2008: Jorge Torres Named the New Governor of Galapagos
September 26, 2008: PRESS RELEASE: Charles Darwin Foundation Names New Executive Director; Illegal Fishing Boat Captured in Galapagos Marine Reserve
September 22, 2008: Press Release: Galapagos To Be Only Feral Goat-Free Archipelago In The World By 2010
September 10, 2008: Shark Tagging in the Golden Triangle
September 08, 2008: BREAKING NEWS: Three New Eggs Found in Lonesome George's Corral
August 26, 2008: UPDATE: Medfly Botanical Alert Still Present
August 22, 2008: Tui De Roy’s “Plight of the albatross” Book Now Available; 8 more eggs discovered in Lonesome George’s enclosure
August 19, 2008: BREAKING NEWS: Galapagos Under Botanical Alert for Medfly Invasion
August 18, 2008: BREAKING NEWS: Galapagos Penguin Potentially At-Risk for Avian Malaria
August 14, 2008: New Director of the Galapagos National Park
July 25, 2008: PRESS RELEASE: Wind Power Project for Baltra and Santa Cruz, and Results of the Environmental Impact Study, to be Presented to the Community
July 17, 2008: Feature Article: Galapagos Invaders Go Native
July 10, 2008: PRESS RELEASE: Presence of Plasmodium Detected in Galapagos Penguins
July 05, 2008: Press Release: Selection Process to choose the next Director of the Galapagos National Park
July 02, 2008: Small Tourist Vessel Sinks in Darwin Bay
June 30, 2008: PRESS RELEASE: Buffalo Exchange Customers Raise over $38,000 for Galapagos!; Community Watchdog Group Established to Observe the Committee for the Qualification and Control of Residency
June 15, 2008: Congress Visits Galapagos Islands
June 06, 2008: Press Release: Whitetip Reef Shark Behavioral Study
June 05, 2008: Press Release: Action Plan to Save the Floreana Mockingbird of Galapagos
June 04, 2008: UPDATE: Tortoises Safe from Eruption
May 30, 2008: BREAKING NEWS: Volcanic Eruption on Isabela Island
May 19, 2008: Climate Change Impacting Galapagos Floreana Mockingbird
April 01, 2008: Press Release: Buffalo Exchange Earth Day Fundraiser for Lonesome George
February 18, 2008: Wind Power Blows Through Galapagos
February 12, 2008: 53 Sea Lions Found Dead on Pinta Island
December 07, 2007: Sharks from the Galapagos Marine Reserve Migrate to Other Zones in the Pacific
December 03, 2007: "Galapagos at Risk: A Socioeconomic Analysis" is now available for download
December 02, 2007: Galapagos Tourism Operators Trained In Good Management Practices
December 01, 2007: Immigration Control Card Soon To Be Required For Visiting Galapagos
September 06, 2007: Update on Diving in the Galapagos Marine Reserve
August 21, 2007: The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) supports the actions and decisions presented in today’s meeting of the INGALA Council in Galápagos
August 20, 2007: Update on Shark Fishing in Ecuador
August 14, 2007: A New Governor for Galapagos
August 13, 2007: Controlling Flies to Save Rare Birds from Extinction
August 12, 2007: Students Get a Green "Thumbs Up" for Native Plant Project
August 11, 2007: Increased Air Traffic: Invasive Species Get New Wings
July 24, 2007: An Important Update on Shark-Fishing
July 23, 2007: Galapagos Conservancy and the Charles Darwin Foundation warn about Upcoming Experiment Involving Iron Dust and Phytoplankton
July 19, 2007: An Important Update on Diving In the Galapagos Islands; Big Boats in Galapagos: Galapagos Conservancy's Viewpoint
July 03, 2007: 8 Galapagos Tortoises Found Killed
June 28, 2007: UNESCO decision to list Galapagos as a World Heritage Site in Danger
May 21, 2007: 1,221 and counting: More birds than ever face extinction
May 18, 2007: The National Geographic Channel presents a new 3-part high-definition event
May 14, 2007: Lindblad Expeditions Wins 2007 Global Tourism Business Award: Prestigious honor recognizes exploration travel firm's sustainable tourism initiatives; Travel Organization Urges Tough Measures On Galapagos
May 10, 2007: Seeding the Ocean to Capture Carbon
May 09, 2007: Stop the Rat Problem in Galapagos: Experts plan first steps to eradicate introduced rodents
May 06, 2007: Tourists Put Galapagos at Risk
May 02, 2007: Military officers fired in Galapagos
May 01, 2007: Scientists seek Lonesome George's tortoise kin; War in the Pacific: It’s Hell, Especially if You’re a Goat
April 25, 2007: GMR PATROLLING RESULTS FOR APRIL 2007
April 21, 2007: Questions & Answers: Science Now Reporter and Charles Darwin Foundation Director
April 11, 2007: Galapagos in Danger; Unofficial Translation of the Emergency Decree Signed by Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa, on 4/10/2007; Presidential Decree Declares Galapagos Islands at Risk; Charles Darwin Foundation Supports Ecuadorian Government’s Call for Immediate Action to Conserve Galapagos; UNESCO-IUCN Mission to Galapágos Islands World Heritage Site
March 16, 2007: Charles Darwin Foundation Helps Danish Expedition’s Visit to Galapagos
March 14, 2007: Laura Bush Tours Galapagos Islands
March 07, 2007: Concern for Corals Unites GMR Stakeholders; Ecuador's New Government and the Effect on the Galapagos Islands
March 06, 2007: The Charles Darwin Foundation Goes Solar; Fishing Boat Carrying Drugs is Burned by its Crew
March 05, 2007: Away from Safety of Galapagos, Green Turtle DC235 Dies from Long Line Fishing

GC NEWS: Conservation challenges remain as the World Heritage Committee removes Galapagos from the list of Sites in Danger

30 July 2010

During its 34th session held in Brazil this week, the World Heritage Committee (WHC) voted to remove the Galapagos Islands from its list of Sites in Danger, a move which contradicted the findings of the state of conservation report presented by UNESCO and which has concerned many members of the conservation community.

The World Heritage Committee (WHC) is an independent inter-governmental body which is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. The Committee found that significant progress had been made by Ecuador in addressing problems of invasive species, uncontrolled tourism, governance, and migration.

Johannah Barry, president of the Galapagos Conservancy, acknowledged that President Correa’s administration has made important inroads against many of the problem facing Galapagos since the archipelago was placed on the list of Sites in Danger in June 2009. According to Barry, “various ministries, the Governing Council in Galapagos, and the Galapagos National Park have worked hard to tighten up immigration and quarantine measures, establish a $15 million Invasive Species Fund, and design a new governance structure for the islands. However, it would be a big mistake to interpret the decision of the WHC as a signal that all is well in the islands. Galapagos continues to face extremely difficult challenges of invasive species, rapid growth of the human population, and lack of consensus on the kind of tourism which is best suited to the delicate ecosystems of the archipelago. Galapagos Conservancy looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Ecuador and the local and international community to ensure the long-term protection of this world treasure.”

In 1978, the Galapagos Islands were the first location to be designated a World Heritage Site. Today, over 40 Galapagos species are Critically Endangered – including the Floreana Mockingbird that helped inspire Darwin’s theory of evolution. Over 800 introduced plants now outnumber the 550 native and endemic species. Urban areas on the islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana, struggle to deal with issues of water, sanitation, energy, human health, and balancing economic activity and conservation.

Galapagos Conservancy (GC) is the only US-based conservation organization dedicated exclusively to the long-term protection of the Galapagos Islands. GC works in close partnership with many allies, including the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos National Park, scientists from many U.S. universities, international and Galapagos-based non-governmental organizations, and other institutions that are committed to Galapagos conservation.

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