Born on Floreana island, to one of the first families to settle in Galapagos, Felipe was a passionate conservationist, driven to protect his home Islands for their unique biodiversity and for future generations.Â
Through his various roles at the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Foundation, he played a significant role in some of the largest ecosystem restoration projects in Galapagos including Project Isabela, an eight year, multi-million– dollar programme to rid northern Isabela and Santiago islands of introduced goats. This project paved the way for ecosystem regeneration in Galapagos on an even greater scale – including the ambitious Restoring Floreana programme.Â
Floreana Restoration Programme
In March 2019 GCT held an event at Bridgewater House in London in memory of Felipe, which focussed on the fascinating history of Floreana and the work GCT is undertaking in order to restore Floreana and save threatened species. On the island, invasive mammals have contributed to 11 local extinctions and one global extinction. Fifty-five further species still found on Floreana are under threat, with their populations under pressure from introduced species. Several are now Critically Endangered on a global scale.Â
Our guests, including many friends of Felipe, pledged to support one of six species that will benefit from the Floreana programme and serve as good representatives of the project and why it is so important. These included the Floreana mockingbird, Galapagos racer snake, medium tree finch, little vermillion flycatcher, Galapagos petrel and the Floreana giant tortoise.Â
By donating, they are helping us continue work that meant so much to Felipe – restoring Floreana back to its former glory and saving species which are in urgent need of help. We are grateful to everyone who so generously donated and have listed them below.Â
In memory of Felipe Cruz – Roll of Honour
Alan Chapman – Floreana mockingbirdÂ
Audrey Simmons – Floreana mockingbirdÂ
Baroness Hooper – Medium tree finchÂ
Carol Kemm – Little vermillion flycatcherÂ
Charlotte Sundquist – Galapagos racer snakeÂ
Charmian Caines – Little vermillion flycatcherÂ
Chris Waddel – Galapagos racer snakeÂ
David Horwell – Medium tree finchÂ
Deborah Leng – Galapagos petrelÂ
Dr Anthony GreenwayÂ
Dr Mark Collins and Family – Little vermillion flycatcherÂ
Edward & Sally Benthall – Galapagos petrelÂ
George Seligman – Medium tree finchÂ
Gill Wilson – Little vermillion flycatcherÂ
Hauxton Bird Group – Little vermillion flycatcherÂ
Irene and Graham Francis – Galapagos racer snakeÂ
Jane Tozer – Medium tree finchÂ
Jenn Stone – Little vermillion flycatcherÂ
Judith Farrar – Floreana mockingbirdÂ
Karen Hunneyball – Floreana mockingbirdÂ
Kirsty Wilson – Galapagos petrelÂ
Lord and Lady Phillimore – Floreana mockingbirdÂ
Mark and Sophie Lewisohn – Galapagos petrelÂ
Michael Drake – Little vermillion flycatcherÂ
Nicholas Moll – Floreana mockingbirdÂ
Oliver Graham – Medium tree finchÂ
Pam Moore – Floreana giant tortoiseÂ
Penelope Eve – Floreana mockingbirdÂ
Raechel and Liam Hope – Floreana giant tortoiseÂ
Rebecca Nesbit and Philip Gould – Galapagos racer snakeÂ
Stephen and Judy Cockburn – Floreana giant tortoiseÂ
Toni Darton – Galapagos petrelÂ
Varshika Manji – Floreana giant tortoiseÂ
Vivienne S. Lewis – Floreana giant tortoiseÂ
Latin Routes – Medium tree finchÂ
Metropolitan TouringÂ
Setours – Floreana giant tortoise and Galapagos petrel Â
Think Galapagos – Floreana mockingbirdÂ
Wanderlust MagazineÂ