“UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO’s Constitution was adopted in London in 1945, it entered into force in 1946.” (From the UNESCO site). They convene and decide on places of importance for humanities cultural, historical, ecological importance. In 1978, the very first site decided to be a UNESCO world heritage site was the Galapagos Islands. Important not only for the work done by Darwin in furthering our understanding of humanity, but also for many species found there and nowhere else in the world. Member countries banded together and agreed this special place was worth saving for posterity.

In the Galapagos Sharleen, Alyssa, and Kylie got to visit San Cristobel, Santa Cruz, and San Isabel. They snorkeled, kayaked, swam, trekked, explored, ate, and …..

Some of the favorite memories:

• “The turtles were everywhere. I had to swim backwards and be careful as I almost bumped a few.”
• “The sea lions were so playful. They would swim right up to us and sniff our fins.”
• “The red throats of the Great Frigatebird take up to 3 hours to expand. And when they are full they are incredible.”
• Everything was so pristine. To see such a variety of ocean life was amazing.
• “I Loved watching the albatrosses take a running start to take off.”

What was difficult about being there?

• It got repetitive to do boat trips every day. The was no cultures (the entire island of Galapagos revolved around tourism)
• The bugs and heat made it tough to enjoy the island.
• Always having to find that $1 to pay the boat (Every transfer), and the many island fees.

What did you learn?

• I learned migration patterns of birds, history of colonization of islands, the turtles.
• I learned so much about the endangered species and the environment.

What do you value about going there?

• Seeing and experiencing such a special place was so cool.
• The pristine environment and the dedication to protecting the wildlife. The conservation efforts were incredible.
• “It was moving to see Lonesome George’s taxidermied body.”

Lonesome George was the last Pinta Giant Tortoise. It was also one of the first animals to go extinct in the lifetimes of Alyssa and Kylie.  Although gone, different subspecies of giant tortoise were making a slow comeback through conversation efforts.

Giant Seahorse (IUCN Red List)

Golden Cownose Ray (IUCN Red List)

Nazca Booby

Waved Albatross (IUCN Red List)

Marine Iguanas (IUCN Red List)

Galapagos Penguin (IUCN Red List)

Blue Footed Booby

Great Frigate Bird

Giant Tortoise

Sally Lightfoot crab

King Angelfish

Galapagos Sea Lion (IUCN Red List)

Scalloped Hammerhead (IUCN Red List)

White tipped Reef Shark (IUCN Red List)

Chocolate Chip Sea Star

Green Sea Turtle (IUCN Red List)

Common Bottlenose Dolphin