GEF-8 Project for Ecological Restoration in the Galapagos Archipelago Begins

05 Dec 2024
The project Restoring the Ecological Integrity of Galápagos Protected Areas through Capacity Building and the Translocation of Birds and Snakes has been officially launched with the goal of restoring the ecology of five islands in the Galápagos Archipelago.  

This project, funded by the eighth round of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is implemented by the Latin American development bank CAF as the Implementing Agency and executed by the Jocotoco Foundation in collaboration with the Galápagos National Park Directorate.

Spanning four years, the project will focus on restoring Santa Fe, Rábida, Pinzón, Santiago, and Floreana Islands. Key strategies include species translocation, which involves reintroducing extinct fauna based on historical data. Additionally, the project will adopt a rewilding approach, aiming to restore ecosystems to their natural state by reintroducing keystone species essential for ecological balance.

To date, the Jocotoco Foundation has signed agreements with organizations such as the California Academy of Sciences and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The next step will be approving key documents to ensure the successful implementation of planned activities.

The GEF-8 project represents a collective effort that reaffirms Ecuador's and its international allies' commitment to protecting and conserving the Galápagos Islands, one of the world's most important and fragile ecosystems.