NATURAL CAPITAL SOLUTIONS
Education is a cornerstone of conservation, yet access to higher education in the Galápagos remains limited, with enrolment rates as low as 7.7% and even lower completion rates. High school graduates typically leave the islands to study on the mainland to gain access to tertiary education increasing financial pressures. Together with cultural challenges this contributes to high dropout rates.
Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) is the only accredited university with a campus in San Cristobal Island the Galápagos, but it is a private institution and thus not readily accessible by more vulnerable parts of society.
OFC is supporting a gender inclusive scholarship program that covers 50% of tuition for 101 students enrolled at USFQ’s new campus in Santa Cruz Island. Courses offered include undergraduate degrees in Environmental Management, Business Administration (Sustainability focus), and Biology (Marine Biology minor); technical programs in Programming and Tourism; and master’s degrees in environmental management and education. Scholarships will cover all direct academic costs, including study materials, and field trips, and a once -off grant provided for a laptop.
Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) is a liberal-arts, private university located in Quito, Ecuador. It was the first totally private self-financed university in Ecuador and the first liberal-arts institution in the Andean region.
Academically, USFQ ranks as one of the three-top universities in the ranking of Ecuadorian, issued by the Ecuadorian Council of Evaluation and Accreditation of High Education and is constantly ranked as the top university of Ecuador by international rankings. It has one campus in San Cristobal Island and is opening a campus in Santa Cruz Island in 2025.
The establishment of the Hermandad Marine Reserve (HMR) in 2022 was a significant achievement to increase protection for one of the world’s most important marine ecosystems, the Galápagos Islands. Its establishment protects part of an ocean corridor or ‘swimway’ of 60,000 km2 that connects Ecuadorian waters with Costa Rican waters and significantly enhances protection for threatened migratory wildlife including endangered sea turtles, whale sharks and hammerhead sharks.
Establishing a comprehensive baseline is critical to inform the reserve’s long-term management, providing a clear understanding of its oceanographic and ecological conditions and enabling effective monitoring of changes over time. A baseline survey expedition was undertaken in 2024, led by the Galápagos National Park Service together with the Oceanographic Institute of the Ecuadorian Navy (INOCAR) and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute (IPIAP) with the support from University of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy. OFC supported the survey efforts by providing additional funding for a dedicated research vessel, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, and the production of a documentary which will be used for educational purposes to document the survey expedition and create awareness of the importance of the new marine reserve.
An permanent ocean exhibition is being mounted at the YAKU Museum in Quito, with scientific / technical support and content from Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), to create awareness about the ocean and the main opportunities and actions available to promote its conservation and sustainable management. The permanent exhibition highlights Ecuador’s marine life, coastal ecosystems, and their human connections while addressing the challenges and opportunities for improved marine conservation. OFC will primarily support exhibits related to promoting best practices for marine conservation, showcasing the Galápagos and Hermandad Marine Reserves, and increasing understanding on climate–ocean connections. These additions will serve as a long-term educational platform, remaining active for at least three years to deepen public understanding of marine conservation and climate issues.
The exhibition aims to strengthen ocean literacy and encourage sustainable practices among Ecuadorians and other visitors. It will provide a unique and engaging learning experience on ocean biodiversity and ecosystems, highlight the vital relationship between people and marine resources, and promote actions needed to address climate change.