News

The documentary film 'The Cove'  made a serious mistake when it claimed that Japan had recruited Euador for its pro-whaling bloc. Ecuador is against whaling.

'The Cove' came out in 2009 and won an Oscar as best Feature Documentary.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph on 7 August, GCT's chief executive, Toni Darton, expressed concern about the recent decision by UNESCO to remove Galapagos from its list of World Heritage Sites In Danger.

Toni's article was repeated on the newspaper's website as follows:

The Galapagos Islands remain under threat
Unesco was wrong to remove the Galapagos Islands from the danger list, believes Toni Darton.
 
By Toni Darton
Published: 8:00AM BST 07 Aug 2010

At the Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) we are very concerned that Unesco's decision last week to remove the Galapagos from the "World Heritage Sites In Danger" list may give the impression that the natural wonders of the islands are no longer threatened. As the only British charity dedicated to saving the Galapagos, we know that the unique biodiversity is still very much at risk - and tourism has a key role to play in conserving what Sir David Attenborough has called "the most astonishing place on earth".

The Galapagos Islands' significance and biodiversity - they contain more than 1,300 species found nowhere else on earth - led to them being named one of the first World Heritage Sites in 1978. Since then human intervention has had a devastating effect. The population and economy of the islands are expanding rapidly and unsustainably. With people come demands for resources, as well as pollution and waste. These issues are by no means unique to the Galapagos - but in a natural paradise like this, balancing the needs of the human and natural worlds is more critical.

Much of this growth is directly or indirectly due to tourism. The unregulated expansion of tourism was one of the reasons behind Unesco's decision to declare Galapagos a World Heritage Site In Danger in 2007. Annual visitor numbers have increased from 12,000 in 1979 to more than 160,000 now, and the rise in both invasive species and population mirror this pattern. More than 40 Galapagos species are now "critically endangered".

Since 2007, the Ecuadorian government has addressed a number of these issues. Immigration and quarantine measures have been tightened, a £10 million "Invasive Species Fund" has been set up and governance of the islands has been strengthened. But there is still a long way to go.

Curiously, tourism is also a major contributor to conservation. For 40 years income from tourism has helped to fund conservation work and much of the £2 million the GCT has sent to the Galapagos has come from visitors. But the model for tourism needs to be carefully managed. Traditionally, people have visited managed sites aboard a small cruise ship accompanied by a trained naturalist guide. The number, size and location of these boats is strictly controlled.

More recently there has been a rapid growth in land-based tourism from both international and Ecuadorian visitors. Nightclubs and bars are mushrooming and activities such as sports fishing are starting up. This needs to be reviewed and controlled. The authorities need to be clear what model of tourism works for the Galapagos and what doesn't - the fragile ecosystem cannot cope with mass tourism or "bucket and spade" breaks. A review is under way, but it is too early for the impact to be felt.

Unmanaged tourism could destroy the Galapagos; planned tourism could save them. This is why we feel Unesco's decision is premature. The Galapagos may no longer officially be a World Heritage Site In Danger, but they are still very much at risk.

    * Toni Darton is chief executive of the GCT (020 7629 5049; www.savegalapagos.org), which will be hosting an evening of talks entitled "Galapagos: Where Next?" at 6pm on September 15 at the Royal Geographical Society.

Click here to read the article on The Daily Telegraph's website.

Two brave people are raising funds for GCT via the popular website, JustGiving.com.

First is Mitchell Hunn, a Bristol ten-year-old pupil at St Mary Redcliffe Primary in Windmill Hill, who has sacrificed his locks to help save endangered Galapagos Giant Tortoises.

To use Mitchell's words: "I like Giant Tortoises because they are an ancient species and remind me of dinosaurs. Many different types of Giant Tortoises are now extinct in the wild and I want to help protect the species. I have been growing my hair for a whole year and have come up with the idea of shaving my head to raise money for your charity."

Mitchell's Head teacher Emma Payne said in the local press: "I am really proud of how Mitchell has used his initiative and engaged all the children in thinking about Giant Tortoises."

Mitchell has already raised about £374, much more than his target of £150 but is still accepting donations on JustGiving here.

The second commendable person is GCT Ambassador, Antje Steinfurth, who runs to raise money for the Galapagos Penguin, one of the rarest species in the world with a population of less than 2,000.
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Last year Antje ran in the Bath Half Marathon and this year, on 10 July, Antje completed the Knysna Half Marathon in South Africa.

At the time Antje said:"Those of you who know me well also know that I am not a natural runner by any means, and that I will rely heavily on oxygen tents along the course, and Red Cross rescue teams beyond the
finishing line!"

The Penguin's small population, restricted distribution, and vulnerability to ever-increasing human threats, combined with severe population declines during El Niño events, led to its classification as endangered and to its inclusion in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

So far Antje has raised about £700 towards her target of £1,000. It's not too late to help Antje get over the finish line and reach her goal! Please donate at Antje's JustGiving page here.  

Mitchell and Antje deserve a vote of thanks from all of us for their sterling efforts. As well as supporting Mitchell and Antje, you can, if you choose, also donate direct to GCT on JustGiving.by clicking  here.

The Galapagos Conservation Trust has expressed concern that UNESCO's vote to remove Galapagos from the World Heritage Sites in Danger list is premature.

The Galapagos Conservation Trust's Chief Executive Toni Darton said, "Saving Galapagos is a marathon not a sprint, and there is still a long way to go to overcome the challenges the Islands  face. Whilst progress is being made I am concerned that this announcement is premature and may give the impression that the natural wonders of Galapagos are no longer threatened. This is sadly still far from the truth. It may also divert funds away from the vital conservation and sustainability programmes.

"Galapagos may no longer officially be a World Heritage Site In Danger, but its unique biodiversity is still very much at risk."

The natural beauty and biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands led to them being declared one of the first World Heritage Sites, in 1978. Their isolated location, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, means they are home to many unique species including giant tortoises, marine iguanas and the only penguins north of the Equator. Unfortunately, the many consequences of human intervention have had a devastating effect. The rapid increase in population and visitor numbers, growing threat from invasive species and unregulated development were just some of the reasons behind UNESCO's decision to add Galapagos to the list of World Heritage Sites In Danger in 2007.

Since then the Ecuadorian Government has made progress in addressing a number of these issues. Immigration and quarantine measures have been tightened, a $15 million Invasive Species Fund has been set up and the governance of the Islands has been strengthened. But there is still a long way to go to ensure a sustainable future for Galapagos.

Over 40 Galapagos species are Critically Endangered - including the Floreana Mockingbird that helped inspire Darwin's theory of evolution - and over 800 introduced plants now outnumber the 550 native and endemic species. A new housing development of over1,000 homes is set to double the size of the main town before issues such as water, sanitation and energy shortages have been addressed, and the updated Special Law for Galapagos that will strengthen the regulatory framework is not yet in place.

After 3 1/2  years our Membership Officer is leaving to go travelling and volunteer with a conservation charity overseas. Do you have the skills to keep growing our membership and keep our members happy?

Job Description

Place of work:            GCT Offices, central London
Hours of work:            35 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Reports to:                Chief Executive
Line Manages:           No direct reports; some volunteer management
Closing date:              9 August at 10am.
Interviews:                 Will take place on 18 August.
Salary:                      £18,000 to £21,000

Scope and general purpose of the job:

To manage GCT's membership programme in an efficient, professional and proactive manner, in order to maximise the return for the Galapagos Conservation Trust.

MEMBERSHIP

•    Manage the recruitment and retention of individual, joint, life and junior members for the Trust.

•    Administer the membership database and ensure data and reports are accurate, kept up to date and used to best advantage

•    Record and issue the relevant documentation for new and existing members in a timely and accurate manner, including:
 
o    Potential visitors who have been to Galapagos
o    New members
o    Renewals
o    Payroll giving members
o    Park donors
o    Individual, School and Group Tortoise Club members
 

•    Produce regular statistical membership reports and, in discussion with the CEO, analyse trends and opportunities

•    Work closely with the office based volunteers, and especially the Membership volunteer, managing them as necessary

•    Explore ways to increase GCT's membership base beyond visitors to Galapagos

•    Deal with membership and general enquiries in a timely and professional manner

•    Manage and administer quarterly Gift Aid applications

•    Seek out new ways to increase the return for GCT from both its membership scheme and members

•    Manage and administer Tribute Funds

FINANCIAL

•    Process GCT's Direct Debit and other payments accurately and within the permitted timeframe

•    Produce GCT's monthly income reports

•    Assist as required with GCT's wider fundraising, projects and events


PUBLICATIONS & INFORMATION

•    Project manage the production of the biannual Tortoise Club newsletter to agreed deadlines and budget

•    Ensure that the Membership and Kids sections of GCT's website are accurate and up to date

•    Support GCT's work to increase awareness in the UK of the issues facing Galapagos


GENERAL

•    Be aware of individual responsibility for health and safety of self and others in the workplace and to adhere to GCT's health and safety policies and procedures

•    Portray the charity in a positive light at all times

•    Undertake any other duties which may be required from time to time

•    Be willing to work outside normal working hours - including attending or helping at evening or weekend events and overseas travel - if required


Person Specification.


ESSENTIAL

•    Excellent IT skills. This includes ability to use all Microsoft Office Programmes to a high level of proficiency - in particular Word, Excel and Outlook
•    Self motivated, with ability to work both quickly and accurately and prioritise work whilst ensuring that information is processed in both a meaningful and timely fashion.
•    Proven knowledge and experience of working with databases and excellent data entry skills
•    Accuracy and excellent attention to detail
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with competence and fluency in English
•    Experience of working in a busy and varied office environment
•    A proactive approach, able to work on own initiative as well as part of a small team
•    Willingness to be flexible, creative and work within limited budgets
•    A friendly and open approach, able to deal with colleagues, volunteers, donors and public enquiries in a positive and engaging fashion


DESIRABLE

•    Experience of working in a voluntary sector and /or membership based organisation
•    Experience of budgets and finance
•    Experience of working with volunteers
•    Proven interest in conservation
•    Ability to speak Spanish

Click here to read and download Application Form Membership Officer .