Galapagos Islands vacations, Conservation issues Galapagos Explorer

Galapagos Islands conservation

Please, don't take anything from the Galapagos islands, but photographs and leave only your footprint.

The history of man's detrimental effects on the islands extends back to the 1600s once settlers came to the islands they brought with them a range of domestic animals, some of which went wild and Started feral populations. Today two organizations work together for islands conservation:

The Galapagos National Park  and the Charles Darwin Research Station.

There is a strict set of rules and regulations set by the parks authorities that we will help you follow:

1. Do not disturb or remove any plant, rock or animal.
2. Be careful not to transport any organic material form island to island.
3. Do not touch or handle the animals.
4. Do not feed the animals.
5. Do not startle or chase any animal. Stay on marked trails, doing so will avoid damage vegetation or cause erosion.
6. Do not leave or throw any litter on or off the ship. Please, do not buy souvenirs made from native Galapagos products (except for wood)
7. Do not smoke on the islands.
8. Do not hesitate to show your conservationist attitude.

The Ecuadorian government declared the Galapagos Islands a National Park on the July 4, 1959. Simultaneously in Belgium, the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos was formed. The Charles Darwin Station for scientific investigation was built on Santa Cruz Island, and was inaugurated on January 20, 1964. Later in 1968, the National Park Service for the Galapagos was initiated and today on the island, groups of no more than 20 visitors are led by a certified naturalist. This policy is intended to reduce the impact on the fragile ecosystem while providing a sense of solitude and privacy on the islands.