Galapagos Conservation Trust

Galapagos Conservation Trust
Abbreviation GCT
Formation 1995
Type Charity
Headquarters London, UK
CEO
 Sharon Johnson
Website galapagosconservation.org.uk

The Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is a British conservation charity (registered number 1043470) which focuses on the conservation and sustainability of the Galapagos Islands. It is a member of the Friends of Galapagos Organisations (also known as the Darwin Network).[1] It was launched in 1995 at the Royal Society in London. The charity fundraises to support pioneering conservation projects in the Islands, and raise awareness of Galapagos conservation both in the UK and in Ecuador to ensure the unique flora and fauna on the Islands are preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Their CEO is Sharon Johnson and the chairman is Dr. Mark Collins.

Ambassadors for the charity include Jonathan and Angela Scott, actress Emma Thompson, Stanley Johnson, Henry Nicholls, Sarah Darwin, Monty Halls, Dr. Godfrey Merlen, Randal Keynes, Julian Fitter, Angela Darwin, Jennifer Stone, Dr. Antje Steinfurth, Nigel Sitwell, Professor Ian Swingland, Dorothy Latsis, Sir James Barlow and Janet Barber.[2] Of these, Sir James, Sarah Darwin and Randal Keynes are descended from Charles Darwin - Angela Darwin is a Darwin by marriage (she is the widow of George Pember Darwin, son of Charles Galton Darwin).

Projects

GCT support projects under the key areas of: conserving endemic species, controlling invasive species, marine conservation, conservation through education and sustainable development. Working closely with authorities and organisations in Galapagos and mainland Ecuador, the charity supports a wide array of projects from species-specific studies and ecosystem-scale restoration projects to promoting local recycling initiatives and education. Find out more about current projects here.

Conservation through education: Discovering Galapagos

GCT has partnered with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) to run their teaching resource Discovering Galapagos.[3] The resource consists of two websites, one adapted and linked to the UK curriculum and one adapted for delivery in Galapagos and mainland Ecuador. A bilingual blog connects the two sites allowing for interactions between students from around the world.

Mangrove finch conservation

Mangrove finches (Camarhynchus heliobates) are classed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List, with less than 100 individuals alive today. Since 2006, researchers have been exploring the key causes of population decline.[4] One of the most critical threats to the mangrove finch population was posed by invasive species. Rats, which are now controlled, will predate upon eggs and chicks, and the larvae of a parasitic fly Philornis downsi, suck the blood of nestlings often resulting in death. In 2013, 37% of nestlings were killed this way.

However, in January 2014, project researchers reported successfully raising 15 mangrove finch chicks in captivity and releasing them back into the wild. Since then, 36 fledglings have been 'head-started' and the project is building on this success.

The Mangrove Finch Project is a bi-institutional project carried out by the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos National Park in collaboration with San Diego Zoo Global and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The project is supported by the Galapagos Conservation Trust, The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Galapagos Conservancy, and the British Embassy in Ecuador.

References

  1. ↑ http://galapagosconservation.org.uk/about-us/partners/fogos/
  2. ↑ http://galapagosconservation.org.uk/ambassadors/
  3. ↑ http://www.discoveringgalapagos.org.uk/about/
  4. ↑ http://www.mangrovefinchappeal.org/
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