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Friends of Galapagos,

As we reported to you recently, 53 sea lions were brutally clubbed to death on Pinta Island in the Galapagos – and we’re outraged!

An investigation is already under way to determine the persons responsible for this bout of ecoterrorism in Galapagos – but we must do more to protect not only the sea lions, which are essential to the islands’ ecosystem, but all of Galapagos’ treasures.

We need immediate help from loyal and committed supporters like you to raise emergency funds to step up the investigation and ramp up  monitoring and conservation efforts. We must act quickly to protect these engaging creatures and ensure the islands are a safe haven for all its animals.

Please make an urgent online contribution to help us get to the bottom of this appalling attack and make sure Pinta and all islands in Galapagos are safe from harm.

Sadly, this incident has far-reaching consequences for the islands and our work there. The Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Foundation  are gearing up to launch a new tortoise program that will track and monitor the soon-to-be-released tortoises on Pinta Island. While this ambitious program is exciting for all of us who care about Galapagos,  we are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of these tortoises and other species whose well-being must be monitored closely.

With your urgent contribution today, we can work to protect all of the Galapagos species so near and dear to us and ensure that this cruelty cannot be repeated. Please make an immediate contribution today and join us in the fight to protect Galapagos treasures!

Sincerely,

Johannah E. Barry
President, Galapagos Conservancy

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Galapagos Conservancy (GC), formerly known as Charles Darwin Foundation, Inc., advocates for the lasting protection of the Galapagos Islands through programs of constituency building, education, and fundraising in North America. GC raises more than $2 million annually to fund the conservation work of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS), and supports local actors in Galapagos that work in partnership with the CDF and the GNPS. Galapagos Conservancy manages $4.5 million in endowed funds to support conservation in Galapagos.

In the coming years we will focus greater attention on education and socio-economic policy work related to Galapagos, while continuing the support of our core research and management efforts implemented by the CDF and the GNPS.

Galapagos Conservancy’s funding priorities

History of Galapagos Conservancy

Galapagos Conservancy has its roots in two organizations that merged in 2002: the Darwin Scientific Foundation, an organization which managed an endowment for research in Galapagos, and Charles Darwin Foundation, Inc., an organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Galapagos conservation. In March 2005, the Board of Directors of Charles Darwin Foundation, Inc. approved changing the organization’s name to Galapagos Conservancy to better reflect the work we do.

Galapagos Conservancy focuses all day, every day, on Galapagos. We are a membership-based organization and the largest source of private support for conservation efforts for the Galapagos Islands. Our 11,000 Friends of Galapagos are individuals and institutions who care deeply about the Galapagos Islands and understand the scientific importance of preserving this one-of-a-kind ecosystem.

We are fortunate to work closely with many allies, including scientists from many U.S. universities, international non-governmental organizations with an active interest in the Galapagos, and a multitude of other institutions that are committed to Galapagos conservation. We also collaborate closely with travel companies who carry out fundraising efforts and educate travelers on local conservation efforts.

Our grantmaking in Galapagos

Funds raised by the Galapagos Conservancy support the core operations of the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) and the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS), both located on the island of Santa Cruz in Galapagos. Our grants also play an important role in specific projects implemented by the CDRS, GNPS, and other local organizations in areas such as education, monitoring and control of invasive species, ecological restoration, and conservation management.

Over the years, our members have contributed to many successful conservation initiatives, including:

• Project Isabela—the largest and most ambitious ecosystem restoration effort in the world—and other control and eradication programs
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• Effective management of the Galapagos Marine Reserve, including monitoring and interdiction efforts of the Galapagos National Park Service
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• Establishment of the Galapagos Quarantine and Inspection Service, which prevents foreign species from arriving in Galapagos
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• Educating local residents, tourists, and Galapagos decision makers on the benefits and importance of sound conservation practices, policy, and sustainable economic activities
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• Baseline studies and monitoring of native and endemic marine and terrestrial species