GCT's Achievements in 2009

2009 was an exceptional year for both GCT and our support for Galapagos and we are delighted to share with you just some of the highlights.

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 help from our members and supporters we are delighted to tell you that we achieved all three.

 

  • 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. Our audited accounts will be available from 1 May and in the meantime our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this possibHRH The Duke of Edinburgh celebrates Darwin's Birthday © Richard Lewisohnle.

 

  • 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.

 

  • Floreana Postbox by GCT 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) through our Shark Campaign.

Tortoise Club Logo   

  • Our continued commitment to education. GCT's Tortoise Club rebranded and expanded,  teaching even more children about conservation. In September we launched our new look website - a great learning tool for anyone with an interest in the Islands. We also expanded our artist residency programme with Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, bringing GCT's work to new audSir David Attenborough, Andrew Marr and Felipe Cruz at Galapagos Day 2009 © Kevin Murphyiences.

 

  •  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; and a record number of life members, demonstrating again how many of you share our strong commitment towards saving Galapagos.

 

We would like to thank every single one of you for helping us make 2009 our best year ever with Galapagos still on the list of World Heritage in Danger we cannot afford to stop. Please help us to make 2010 even more successful for Galapagos' long term future, by making a contribution towards our 15th Anniversary Appeal.