Projects

The acquisition of a foreign language for a Galapagos resident provides countless personal, social, and economic opportunities. Not only does it help locals better serve the more than 170,000 tourists that visit Galapagos each year, it provides a new, sustainable alternative to fishing and allows for a mutual sharing of perspectives as contact between visitor and resident are made possible. More importantly, foreign language skills are not limited to tourism, but include areas such as scientific research, education, and many others.

The foreign language program offers courses for children ages 4-12, teenagers ages 13-18, and adults at all skill levels. The classes are given by international volunteers trained in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) instruction, as well as local professors.

Students attend daily classes in the afternoons and evenings, depending on age and skill level. Our curriculum focuses on the natural habitat of the Galapagos Islands, emphasizing conversation, creativity, and interactive exercises over grammatical structures and rote memorization. The EFL curriculum incorporates vocabulary of local flora and fauna, and, in the more advanced classes, discussion groups centered on a variety of conservation topics such as marine biodiversity and invasive species. Occasionally, audiovisuals such as cassette tapes and movies are utilized, and students are also asked to interview tourists to hone their skills. The results have been very positive and, most importantly, many students have adopted a more open attitude and awareness for conservation and environmental education.


ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

In coordination with local conservation authorities including the Galapagos National Park, we have developed an environmental education program covering important topics addressing the challenges of conservation in the Galapagos Islands.

• Introduced species and their damaging impact on the local ecosystems
• Exploitation of non-renewable marine resources
• Endemic and native species of the Galapagos Islands
• The Galapagos Marine Reserve
• Indiscriminate population growth on the inhabited islands and its effect on local resources
• Waste management and recycling

These and other topics are given on a regular basis to students of the Foundation's various programs and members of the local Scout group using movies, open forums, interactive games, and field trips with authorities specialized in the field.

All of the work of the New Era Galapagos Foundation has as a central objective of awakening the creativity in local children and prepare them for their future as residents of the Galapagos Islands. We feel strongly that this objective will benefit the students, and the Galapagos Islands, as they become the next generation of guardians of the Galapagos National Park.


ART

The Foundation's art program on the creation of murals. The program aims to develop artistic concepts and skills while familiarizing the students with the ecology of the islands and enhancing their own creativity and ability to create independently. Children of all ages and skill levels participate in the projects, taking away an appreciation for art and the Islands.

Driving from the airport at the edge of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal, one can't help but notice a mural depicting a variety of the unique and spectacular wildlife living in the Galapagos Islands. This mural, a project undertaken by Foundation staff and students, serves the dual purpose of reminding locals and visitors alike of the spectacular flora and fauna inhabiting the Galapagos Islands while providing an aesthetically pleasing entrance to the provincial capital.


SUMMER CAMP
Children from ages 4 to 14 take classes in English, environment, art and outdoor education for a month during the school holidays. During the camp the children also have the opportunity to visit some of the important ecological sites around San Cristobal including La Galapaguera and La Loberia.


WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Weekend programs for scouts and other youth groups focused on conservation including beach cleanups, recycling projects, community awareness campaigns, camping, hiking, snorkeling, etc.


ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS
Special community activities including coastal clean up, reforestation and recycling programs.


PRESENTATIONS
Conservation presentations to schools, colleges and tourist groups.


EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
NEGF have organized exchange programs with schools in USA and Europe where our children can learn more about life and culture in other countries, and children from other schools have the opportunity to find out more about the life and ecology of the Galapagos Islands.


COMMUNICATION
Regular radio and television programs focused on community issues, environmental awareness and learning English.