To minimize the effects of tourism on wildlife, Ecuador established rules for visitors. Historically, these are other remarkable decisions and institutions involved in this issue:
1935 Ecuador declared the Galapagos Islands a Wildlife Sanctuary.
1959 The Charles Darwin Foundation was established and marked the centennial celebration of the publication of Darwin's Origin of the Species. That same year Ecuador designated 97% of the total land area of the archipelago as Galapagos National Park that shoulders the responsibilities of wildlife conservation projects including the protection of endangered populations, the eradication and control of introduced species, and the management of recreation and tourism.
1964 The Charles Darwin Research Station, the field branch of the Charles Darwin Foundation opened its facilities in Puerto Ayora. It's been more than 40 years since the Park Service joined forces with the Charles Darwin Station to dedicate their services to the use, conservation, and protection of the Galapagos Islands.
The Charles Darwin Research Station, an international non-profit organization, acts as the scientific arm of the Park Service. Scientists at the Station conduct conservation-based research and also train naturalist tour guides.
These are related conservation efforts to take care of the Galapagos Islands:
Read the latest articles from the Park and the Station.