The Galápagos

For more than 45 years, WWF has played an integral role in protecting nature in the Galápagos. Our ambitious conservation work is critical to every human, plant and animal on the islands. By bringing together partners, governments and communities we have achieved lasting results.

1960s

• 1961: The first global conservation organization to invest in the Galápagos, WWF funded construction of the Charles Darwin Research Station 
• 1964: Secured the second largest conservation investment for the Galápagos
• 1964: Funded the purchase of a vessel, the Beale II, to be used for research by the Charles Darwin Research Station
• 1968: Funded initiative to design appropriate protective measures for a variety of rare species in the Galápagos

1970s

• 1970: Conducted analysis of the impact of tourists on the islands and crafted management plan 
• 1975: Began removal of key nonnative species to prevent destruction of the ecosystem
• 1978-79: Funded an education and outreach community center

1980s

• 1980: Established conservation and breeding programs for endangered iguanas 
• 1987: Facilitated debt-for-nature swap that secured critical funds for the Galápagos National Park

1990s

• 1994: Evacuated giant tortoises from fires blazing on Isabela Island 
• 1998: Worked to help enact the Galápagos Special Law promoting far-reaching conservation initiatives
• 1998: Provided Motorola mobile radio systems to the Galápagos National Park Service to bolster enforcement 
• 1999: Developed a Biodiversity Vision for the Galápagos
• 1998-2000: Facilitated the design and approval of a marine zoning scheme to balance the needs of people and nature

2000s

• 2001: Provided resources needed to help lead rescue and rehabilitation efforts after the tanker Jessica oil spill 
• 2001: With our partner Toyota, developed the Galápagos Energy Blueprint and initiated efforts to make energy sources sustainable by 2011
• 2003: Supported the Pescado Azul Women’s Cooperative with USAID funding to bolster local economy 
• 2005: Designed and built to the highest environmental standards the new Baltra fuel-handling facility
• 2005: Led the conservation community’s effort to ban longline fishing in the Galápagos Marine Reserve
• 2006: Helped ban large tanker traffic from 60-mile radius around the Galápagos and transformed a retired U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the Yoshka,into a state-of-the-art vessel for patrolling marine protected areas 
• 2006: Implemented the zoning plan for the 50,000 square mile marine reserve in collaboration with the Galápagos National Park Service and USAID 
• 2006: Installed a satellite monitoring system for the Galápagos National Park Services patrol fleet with funding from USAID