Galapagos Conservation Trust - News

Dear Friend,

Richard Robinson,
Chairman of GCT

I wanted to start my update letter with this quote from Sir David Attenborough, as he was instrumental in making 2009 an exceptional year for both GCT and our support for Galapagos. It also reflects how he recognises the urgency of our work, which is fitting as I share with you some of the highlights of 2009 and our plans for 2010. Together we can continue to make a difference in Galapagos.

2009 was a busy year for CEO Toni and her small team as well as for you our enthusiastic supporters, who, literally pound for pound, ensure GCT punches well above its weight. The Darwin celebrations and 50th anniversaries of the Galapagos National Park (GNP) and Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) created a real opportunity to raise GCT’s profile, put Galapagos conservation firmly in the spotlight and so secure much needed funds for conservation in the Islands. With your help, I’m delighted to tell you that we achieved all three, and here are just some of the highlights:

Richard Lewisoh,
The Duke of Edinburgh
celebrates Darwin's birthday

• We all know that conservation costs money. That is why our greatest success has to be the 28% increase in the funds we raised to help save Galapagos - over £680,000 in all. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this possible.
• A new £400,000 research fund (in addition to the figure cited above) to create a lasting link between Galapagos and Cambridge University. This was thanks to a highly successful fundraising dinner held at Darwin’s alma mater, Christ’s College, attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. As a result CDF and Ecuadorian students can now benefit from access to and exchanges with Cambridge, and the university’s research can be tailored to meet the needs of the Islands.
• A fantastic start for Project Floreana, the first plan to restore an inhabited island in Galapagos. GCT raised over £150,000 in year one of this five year programme, including close to £50,000 to help save the Floreana Mockingbird, Darwin’s inspiration and one of the world’s rarest birds. Project Floreana remains one of our priorities for 2010.
• The range of projects we funded. In addition to core support and research at CDF we supported a laboratory in Galapagos tackling wildlife disease and invasive species; a series of local community awareness raising events; the feasibility study for the visitor and education centre and we continued our support for the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR).
• Our continued commitment to education. GCT’s Tortoise Club rebranded and expanded, teaching even more children about conservation. We expanded our artist residency programme with Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, bringing GCT’s work to new audiences.
• A record breaking year on many fronts – including our fastest selling Galapagos Day, thanks to guest speakers Sir David Attenborough, Andrew Marr and Felipe Cruz (in 2010 we will introduce priority booking for members); and a record number of Life members,  demonstrating again how many of you share our strong commitment towards saving Galapagos.

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