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Charles Darwin Foundation The Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands (CDF) is an international non-profit research organization dedicated to providing scientific research, technical assistance and information to ensure the successful conservation of Galapagos.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) established the CDF in 1959 after years of effort by a group of Ecuadorian, European and North American conservation pioneers.
CDF implements its mission in Ecuador and Galapagos thanks to the Government of Ecuador, which allows the CDF to carry out research and provide conservation guidelines to the Government through a unique partnership agreement. CDF is part of a network of local and national institutions that support the conservation of Galapagos. For almost 50 years, CDF has worked in close partnership with the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) in charge of conservation and natural resource issues in Galapagos, providing the scientific findings needed to preserve this living laboratory.
Over one hundred scientists, educators, volunteers, research students and support staff from all over the world participate in this work. Of the staff, 90% are Ecuadorian, and CDF has a long-standing commitment to train Galapagos residents to become leaders in science and conservation both in the Islands and mainland Ecuador.
The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) is CDF’s operational and management headquarters, and most of CDF’s staff and volunteers are based here. Scientists from around the world also come to the CDRS to further their own research and contribute to the conservation efforts of the Galapagos. CDRS teams are also based in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal island) and Puerto Villamil (Isabela island).
For more information please visit www.darwinfoundation.org
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