As part of our Connecting with Nature Programme, GCT has partnered with Education 4 Nature Galapagos (E4NG) to facilitate opportunities for families in Galapagos to grow their own food, cultivate endemic plants, and connect with nature through the Urban Family Gardening project.
80 %
of the local economy relies on tourism, which halted in March 2020
499
families participated in the UFG project between 2021-2022
97 %
of Galapagos is National Park, leaving just 3% for community life
75 %
of fresh food consumed on the Islands is imported from the mainland
During the COVID-19 pandemic, families in Galapagos faced financial hardship due to the sudden halt in tourism (making up 80% of the local economy) and reliance on produce imported from mainland Ecuador (over 1/3 of all fresh food). In partnership with a small sustainable agricultural farm in the highlands of San Cristobal named Hacienda Tranquila (HTSA), we kickstarted the Urban Family Gardening (UFG) project as part of our Connecting with Nature programme to support local families to grow their own produce and cultivate endemic plants.
Throughout the first year of the project, we reached 525 families and 21 local teachers, all provided with crops and endemic plant seeds, an educational gardening pack and experiential activities at the HT farm. Over time the project has evolved from ensuring self-sustainability to promoting eco-literacy, adapting to climate change and empowering families to connect with nature through engaging educational resources, impactful outdoor outreach activities and collaboration with local teachers.
We feel this type of project is essential for families given the challenges COVID-19 has posed. Our daughter Melody has named her plants, and we all enjoy a moment of peace as we care for them daily.
By encouraging and supporting local people as they learn to grow their own food so they can become self-sufficient, we can help mitigate some of the financial hardship the Galapagos community faces.This project highlights the key goal of Galapagos Conservation Trust’s Connecting with Nature programme – to ensure that more young people have the chance to get out and experience the natural world around them. By making nature more accessible, we will inspire families and instill passion in the future ambassadors of Galapagos for the incredible wildlife with which they share their Islands.
Our project builds community through purposeful human-nature interactions and deepens the respect for nature amongst local families. The project will continue developing the teacher network by providing educational resources and helping to co-design classroom projects and outdoor educational activities and field trips.
With your help, we can safeguard the future of these Enchanted Isles.
"Young people in Galapagos can face both physical and financial barriers to accessing nature within the Galapagos National Park."
Our Connecting with Nature programme allows young people in Galapagos to experience the incredible flora and fauna around them, fostering a love for nature and strong sustainability values.
