Strengthening Local Capacity for a Sustainable Future

One of Galapagos Conservancy’s top priorities for the coming years is to ensure that local organizations and residents of Galapagos are prepared to play a meaningful role in conserving the islands they call home.

Human migration from mainland Ecuador has skyrocketed since the early 1990s, driven by the weak Ecuadorian economy and opportunities related to the growing tourism industry and sea cucumber and lobster fisheries. Today, more than 27,000 people reside in Galapagos and an additional 100,000 tourists visit each year. Humans are an undeniable part of the fabric of Galapagos, but growing numbers threaten to speed the dispersal of invasive species and the over-exploitation of the islands’ natural resources.

CHANGING MINDSETS

The Ecuadorian Government and the international community (understood to include governments, conservation organizations, donors, scientists, tour operators, etc.) have important roles to play in protecting Galapagos. But external interventions will not have a lasting effect if they are not complemented by a conservation-based culture in Galapagos. To achieve environmental sustainability, an informed local population must work in cooperation with strong local public and private organizations.

The rapid rate at which the population has grown has presented a major challenge to developing a culture of conservation in Galapagos. Less than a quarter of current residents were born in Galapagos. Many have arrived in search of economic opportunity and do not have a clear appreciation for the extraordinary nature and fragility of the archipelago or a long-term stake in its future. Yet it is becoming painfully clear to all who live in Galapagos that a new mindset and approach are needed. The same fisheries which fueled much of the growth during the 1990s have been depleted by years of over harvesting. Many residents do not have the skills needed to pursue opportunities in tourism or other areas.  And local institutions struggle to provide the decision making and support needed for effective conservation.

Galapagos Conservancy is committed to supporting work in three areas which will help to build local capacity for a sustainable future:

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS
 
The decline in local fisheries has been accompanied by a growing sense of urgency about the need to support the development of small and medium-sized businesses that are compatible with and linked to the long-term protection of resources in Galapagos. Galapagos Conservancy will work with its partners in the islands to support market studies, pilot projects, and impact analysis of alternatives in areas such as:

• Sustainable fisheries linked to value-added businesses, like the Women’s Group of Isabela, which runs a fish processing center
• Island-based ecological tourism to complement the larger, boat-based operations
• Sustainable agriculture focused on low volume/high value products such as coffee or organic produce for the tourism sector
• The provision of environmental and conservation services to municipalities and the National Park

We will also help to form alliances with new partners who can provide needed expertise in credit systems and focused vocational training.

PROMOTING EDUCATIONAL REFORM

Quality training and education specially designed for the needs of a fragile island ecosystem are  important building blocks of a conservation-based culture. This sort of education will help instill in those who live in Galapagos an understanding of the importance of contributing to the long-term economic and ecological health of the islands.

Galapagos Conservancy will continue to support:

• Informal education of youth and adults through Environmental Education Centers (EECs), local radio and TV programs, and workshops that focus on gardening with native species, recycling, and pollution management
• Integration of the education materials developed for the EECs in the public school curriculum and training teachers in the use of these materials

 We will also work with our partners in Galapagos to make the most of opportunities afforded by the Special Law for profound   educational reform. We will support partnerships between Galapagos schools and innovative schools in other countries, and explore with our colleagues in Galapagos possibilities for developing a truly unique educational approach that will prepare youths to thrive in a conservation-based economy.

STRENGTHENING LOCAL INSTITUTIONS

During the past year, Galapagos has benefited from strong leadership in key local institutions. Amid budget constraints, contentious social issues, and political uncertainty, the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS), the Galapagos National Park, the Galapagos National Institute, and Galapagos-born conservation organizations, such as FUNDAR Galapagos and Re-Evolución, have demonstrated a high level of collaboration and effectiveness. Similarly, the Participatory Management Board, the forum in which representatives of the local fishing cooperatives, tourism operators, and the conservation sector make decisions regarding the management of the Marine Reserve, has arrived at consensus on traditionally divisive issues, agreeing to prohibit long- lining and unregulated sports fishing, and to work together to identify new economic alternatives.

These local institutions are critical actors in conservation. Galapagos Conservancy is committed to making sure these organizations have the information they need to make sound decisions and the institutional stability to withstand inevitable changes in staff and leadership. We will:

• Continue to provide core support to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park Service, two vital pillars of conservation in Galapagos
• Share relevant experience and expertise of our staff, Board, and membership with our partners in Galapagos
• Support targeted research and policy analysis to fill information gaps for local organizations so that more effective decisions can be made regarding the management of local resources

GALAPAGOS NEEDS YOUR HELP

Building local capacity will require time and the continued generosity of members of Galapagos Conservancy. We welcome your partnership in this effort. Please contact us with your ideas and input.

comments@galapagos.org.