2020 Impact report 2020 - Galapagos Conservation Trust

OVERVIEW
FROM CHAIR
Thanks to you, our loyal donors,
who supported us throughout 2020,
we maintained a good income level
throughout the year despite the
unforeseen setbacks we encountered –
enabling us to end the year in a better
position than anticipated when the
pandemic first struck. Undeterred by the
close-down of the Islands, we worked
closely with our partners on the ground
to replan our programmes, enabling us
to continue to deliver outstanding
science, conservation and education
initiatives whilst expanding our efforts
to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
The groundwork for the important
eradication phase of our flagship Floreana
programme forged ahead. Critical research
for reintroductions continued in 2020 for
several wonderful bird species, including
the vibrant little vermilion flycatcher.
The culmination of years of hard work
by GCT and all our partners is now very
much in sight!
GCT was also able to advance activities
focussing on the increasing threats of
industrial fishing and negative impacts
of climate change, which form a core
element of our political advocacy work.
By working with the newly elected
Ecuadorian President and his incoming
administration in 2021, we have high
hopes for the increased protection of the
Islands and the surrounding Galapagos
Marine Reserve as we continue to gather
critical scientific evidence and prepare for
Galapaguenian voices to be heard at
the UN Climate Change Conference
(COP26) later this year. This will be
a key moment for Galapagos and
the world, where nations will come
together to strengthen ambitions to
protect the most vulnerable to the
effects of climate change.
Like the rest of the world, we are
unsure what further COVID-related
impacts lie ahead but today, as
I write this, I am buoyed by the
news that the Islands are now
free from COVID-19 and by the
generosity of our supporters who
did not forget us, or Galapagos
during this most turbulent of times.
With our professional staff team,
an innovative network of partners
and a dedicated Board of Trustees,
although we remain cautious in our
plans, we are also very optimistic for
2021 and the future. Thank you once
again for all your support.
© Charmian Caines
Charmian Caines
Chair
Our Trustees
Charmian Caines
(Chair)
Chris Jarrett
Jane Tozer OBE
Jonathan Lea
(Honorary Treasurer)
Dr Marta Tufet
Michael Drake
(Vice Chair)
Pippa Carte
Dr Becky Nesbit
Sandra Charity
Our Ambassadors
Monty Halls (President)
Angela Darwin
Dr Antje Steinfurth
Dorothy Latsis
Godfrey Merlen
Dr Henry Nicholls
Sir James Barlow Bt
Jennifer Stone
Julian Fitter
Liz Bonnin
Randal Keynes
Dr Sarah Darwin
Stanley Johnson
We often speak of critical times, key
events, and seminal phases in the
world of conservation, but we should
all be entirely clear about what this
moment represents in terms of the
future of the Galapagos Islands. The
global pandemic has disrupted the
infrastructure of tourism and the
conservation funding it creates to such
a degree that we have entered a truly
seminal period. Our efforts today,
therefore, require greater focus, more
application, and more energy than
ever before if the delicate ecosystems
of this irreplaceable Archipelago are to
be maintained. My lingering memories
of the Islands are of the outstanding
individuals and committed groups that
are making a genuine difference - it
is incumbent on us that we support
them in every way we can. Through the
continued enthusiasm and commitment
of GCT and its supporters, we are
achieving that aim. It is something that
will reap genuine conservation rewards
in the months and years ahead.
© Monty Halls
Monty Halls
President
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