Robert Clay Guerra Calderón, an Environmental Engineer by profession, represents the youth group in action and volunteers for the Insular Front of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. He currently works as an assistant on the water project carried out jointly with the One Change for Life Foundation and the Galapagos Conservation Trust. Upon returning from university, I became involved in volunteering for social activities with the Insular Front RMG organization, which has sparked certain questions about how society, especially young people, are engaging in the care of our islands.
It’s complicated to preserve something we don’t know, which is why it’s essential for the community to take ownership of the aquatic spaces and bays. Enjoyment and recreation can go hand in hand with protection and conservation.
You can donate to this project through any of our three partners. If you would like to talk to us directly, and/or speak with the project leader, please contact us at info@co-galapagos.org.
The Galapagos Islands are a natural heritage of humanity, known worldwide for their astonishing biodiversity. Approximately a quarter of a million people visit the islands each year to enjoy the tourist attractions they offer.
However, many residents of the Galapagos are not familiar with many parts of the islands where they reside. This is due to lack of accessibility and the cost of visiting sites, as well as restrictions in certain areas. For example, while activities like kayaking in Puerto Ayora Bay are now permitted, there are still restrictions that hinder residents, particularly young people, from enjoying, exploring, and caring for the islands and replicating these experiences with visitors.
The high cost of renting equipment for such activities makes them inaccessible to the community. Additionally, the lack of local guides to provide assistance and key information during tours further complicates participation in these activities.
With the funds raised for the project, we will acquire the necessary materials and equipment to establish a small fleet of kayaks and paddle boards. These will be used to conduct gatherings and tours in the bay with the community at no cost, as well as support events such as coastal clean-ups and learning activities for children, youth, and adults. During these outings, relevant information about the species and the environment will be provided, aiming to promote the protection and care of our islands.
Together with the Insular Front Organization of the Galapagos Marine Reserve with private kayaks and approximately 30 volunteers, we organized several outings to Puerto Ayora Bay to pilot the feasibility of this project, resulting in a positive outcome and good reception from the community.
Thanks to our community partners, we have storage spaces for the equipment in the highlands of the island. These will be mobilized on the days of the outings and brought back up once the activity is completed until the next gathering.
- Acquiring new or used kayaks and paddle boards to be allocated for the project.
- Training a group of young people in water activities so that they can teach the acquired knowledge to the population.
- Raising awareness in the community about the care of our bay through kayak and paddle board tours.
- Conducting flora and fauna interpretation in the bay with project participants aboard kayaks and paddle boards.
- Collecting plastics found in the bay for proper disposal on land.
- 4.7: Through this project, the aim is for children, youth, and adults to gain knowledge and learn more about their environment in a practical way. By visiting and enjoying natural spaces, especially the sea, it promotes their protection.
- 8.9: The project promotes the implementation of sustainable tourism practices from the community, allowing the population itself to reflect the protection of the archipelago to visitors.
- 11.4: These programs, which aim to connect the community with its environment, utilize resources, and promote environmental protection and respect, foster the care of natural heritage.
- 14.1: When one becomes acquainted with spaces, they begin to care for and protect them, which is the goal of the project: for the community to take ownership of bays and coastal areas to reduce pollution generated in populated areas that ultimately ends up in the sea.
- 14.2: The project aims to promote the protection of bays, which in turn will protect marine and coastal ecosystems, primarily by raising awareness among the population about their proper use.
Phase | Activity | Buget |
---|---|---|
PHASE 1 - Acquisition of equipment and materials | Purchase of 5 kayaks (2 single and 2 double), 10 life jackets, 10 whistles for life jackets and 2 lifebuoys. | $4000 FINANCED (MATCHED) |
PHASE 2 – Initial Community educational experiential outings | Development of 5 community oceanic experiential experiences | $1000 FINANCED (MATCHED) |
PHASE 3 - Volunteer training | Training volunteers to lead the kayak and paddle tours, on safety issues, basic notions of the bays and species of flora and fauna. | $1000 Require Funding |
PHASE 4 – Community educational experiential outings | Development of community activities. Acquisition of equipment and materials. Purchase of double kayaks and paddle boards. | $4000 Require Funding |