Charles Darwin Foundation

We are the Charles Darwin Foundation, an international scientific organization with a focused and vital purpose. Since our creation in 1959, our mission has been to provide the scientific knowledge and support needed to protect the extraordinary and unique ecosystems of the Galápagos Islands. This remote archipelago is a natural treasure, a place so special that it famously inspired the work of the scientist Charles Darwin. His observations here in the 19th century changed the way people understood the natural world. Our founding was intentionally timed to honor this legacy; we were established on the 100th anniversary of the publication of his groundbreaking book, On the Origin of Species.

To conduct meaningful scientific work, we knew we had to be present in the environment we were studying. Abstract research from far away would not be enough to understand the complex life of the islands. For this reason, we established the Charles Darwin Research Station in 1964. Located on Santa Cruz Island, this station became our operational headquarters and a crucial hub for global science. It provides the laboratories, living quarters, and equipment necessary for researchers from all over the world to come and conduct their studies on-site. This permanent presence allows us to carry out long-term projects, monitor changes in the environment, and respond quickly to new conservation challenges.

Science is most powerful when it informs action. We have always understood that our research must support the official efforts to protect this incredible place. Therefore, our most important partner is the Galápagos National Park Directorate. The Directorate is the government authority responsible for the management and conservation of the park, making the critical decisions that affect its future. We work in close collaboration with them, sharing our data, providing expert analysis, and offering scientific advice. This partnership ensures that conservation policies are based on the best available evidence, creating a strong link between discovery and preservation.

Some of our most well-known work began in our early years and focused on one of the Galápagos’ most iconic animals: the giant tortoise. Several tortoise species were in grave danger, with populations so small that they were on the very edge of extinction. In collaboration with the National Park, we launched a comprehensive breeding program. This initiative involved carefully raising young tortoises in a protected setting until they were large enough to survive in the wild. A remarkable achievement of this program was the recovery of the Española tortoise, a species that was successfully brought back from the brink of disappearing forever.

While our work with tortoises is a famous success, our scientific scope is much broader. To protect the Galápagos, we must understand it as a complete and interconnected system, or ecosystem. Our research includes studies on everything from the famous Darwin's finches to the diverse marine life that thrives in the surrounding ocean. By examining the relationships between different plants, animals, and their habitats, we build a comprehensive picture of the islands' health. This wider understanding helps us tackle complex problems that affect the entire archipelago.

One of the most persistent threats we help address is the impact of invasive species. These are plants and animals that were introduced to the islands by humans and do not belong there naturally. They can cause significant damage by preying on native species, competing for food and resources, and disrupting the delicate ecological balance. Our research is essential for identifying the most harmful invaders and developing effective strategies to remove or control them, allowing the native ecosystems to recover.

As time has passed, new challenges have emerged, and our work has evolved to meet them. Today, we confront global threats that affect even remote places like the Galápagos. Our scientists now study the effects of climate change on the islands' unique wildlife and investigate the growing problem of plastic pollution in the marine environment. To conduct this cutting-edge research, we use modern tools and technologies. Drones give us a new perspective for surveying landscapes and animal populations, while satellite tracking allows us to follow the movements of marine animals across vast stretches of ocean. These advanced methods help us gather the crucial data needed to protect this natural wonder for the future.