Charles Darwin put the Galapagos Islands on the map. Coming to the islands to do research, then using his research to come up with his theories of evolution and as the basis of his book “The Origin of the Species” brought fame to the relatively unknown islands.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Darwin’s landmark book and research, the Charles Darwin Foundation was established. Founded in 1959, the Foundation runs the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz, in the Galapagos Islands. The Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the Galapagos Island ecosystem. The Research Station is dedicated to scientific research and environmental education. While the actual research station is based in the Galapagos Islands, the foundation has volunteers and employees located all over the world, all dedicated to the conservation efforts.

Outreach

Visitors to the Galapagos Islands are often interested in the islands’ ecosystem. The Charles Darwin Research Station provides helpful information for those wishing to learn more. Scientists from the station are often called upon to provide lectures or hold conferences for tour groups on land or on cruise ships.

The research station is open to the public. Inside, there is an extensive museum and library. The museum is home to collections of terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as marine species. There are more than 1000 specimens in the collection. The library was opened in 1964. What was once a few shelves of books has grown to be an outstanding collection of books, journals, maps, photographs, and reprints. The library is open to visitors, but does not provide inter-library loans.

Also on the grounds of the research station is a nursery and native garden. The nursery staff and researchers conduct research on native plant life and the facility is not open to the public. The garden sits behind the library and museum and features plants that are native to the Galapagos Islands.

Isabela Station

In 1997, the Charles Darwin Foundation acquired a multi-purpose building on the island Isabela. It houses offices for the Ecuador National Park service. In 2000, a laboratory and captive breeding center for tortoises was constructed. Here scientists breed and study the four breeds of tortoises found on Isabela.