The Galápagos have evolved unique species of fauna and flora found nowhere else on earth. In 1835, young Charles Darwin visited the islands, and what he learned helped inspire his theory of natural selection. In 1978, the Galápagos Islands were designated a UNESCO World Heritage, signifying their “outstanding value to humanity”. Today, they are a living laboratory of evolution and one of the world’s premier ecotourism destinations.

Like other isolated island groups, the Galápagos face serious challenges for the long-term survival of its marine and terrestrial ecosystems.