AND ITS LAND TORTOISES
THE GALAPAGOS FOREST INITIATIVE
SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN
The Galapagos Islands are famous throughout the world, and rightly so. The combination of history, location weather and spectacular wildl ife is hard to beat. Tourists are fascinated. But not everything is quite as it might, or should be. There’s a pressing need to conserve the archipelago’s unique fauna, and the famous Galapagos giant tortoises are a fundamental example of a species that needs our protection.
Found in only one other part of the world – a small archipelago in the Indian Ocean – these majestic animals are the most symbolic of all the islands’ wildlife, and where the Galapagos’ Islands get their name. But, incredible as it may seem, Galapagos tortoises were on the brink of extinction only a few years ago. And while their numbers have fortunately increased due to both individual and orga – nizational efforts, they are still considered an endangered species.
Galapagos Magic has always been on the forefront of the effort to protect this unique and endemic species – the 40 ha. Galapagos Magic reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands has been home to giant tortoises for nearly a decade. Magic’s contribution has been widely recognized, and in season, the reserve is home to more than 100 Galapagos tortoises that are free to roam, unhampered, unthrea – tened: a delight for the many visitors to the camp and its reserve.
“GALAPAGOS TORTOISES WERE ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION ONLY A FEW YEARS AGO.”
The Galapagos Forest Initiative
Mr. Polo Navarro owner and founder of the Galapagos Magic Camp and Reserve and Tropic are proud to announce the Galapagos Forest Initiative.
This project dedicates 12 hectares of Polo’s property and his Magic dream for habitat restoration and improvements welfare of the tortoises
THE GALAPAGOS FOREST
12 hectares
12 hectares
THE PROJECT INCLUDES:
- Planting 1,500 native Escalecia trees, providing more space as well as food and shade for the tortoises.
- A water pond and a platform with a roof to collect water – we will call it the “Hammock House”.
- Construction of an interpretation center dedicated to the tortoises.
- Interpretative trails around the reserve.
Giant tortoises and other species need your help.
In the 1970’s Polo Navarro had a dream to retire in the highlands of Santa Cruz after pioneering travel in both cruise and land-based operations in the Galapagos. He eventually launched Galapagos Magic Camp, now widely known as the top ecotourism accommodation choice in the highlands of Santa Cruz.
Since creating and living at Galapagos Magic, Polo realized his dream wasn’t complete. He envisioned restoring a special corner of the Galapagos Islands to its former natural glory and creating one of the first private efforts to restore the original giant tortoise habitat. This project, the Galapagos Forest Initiative, dedicates 12 hectares of the Magic reserve for habitat restoration and improvements to the welfare of the tortoises.
Since 2021, Polo has been working on phase 1 of the initiative. The land has now been cleared of invasive species, allowing the opening of what will be a self-guided trail for visitors. 750 of 1,500 native Escalecia trees were also planted, giving a strong start to the habitat restoration.
We are excited to invite you to join us in making this special project succeed.
We invite you and/or your company to be part of this high-profile Galapagos Conservation Initiative! Magic sponsors will not only have the satisfaction of supporting an important project, but will also receive the following benefits for your support:
Logo and short profile on the Magic Galapagos website where the progress of project will be highlighted.
We invite you to join us in completing phase one of our Galapagos Forest Initiative! Help us build the interpretation center, the interpretative trails, the water pond for the tortoises and reforest the reserve.
Our Goal is to raise US$10,000 to fund this first phase of the project.
Interested donors can expect the following for their generous support:
- Magic Donor: US$2,500 – recognition on the website landing page, a 2-night stay at Galapagos Magic and an adopted Escalecia tree. This donation will help fund the Interpretation Center and pond rest area as well as the final phase of the reforestation.
- Giant Tortoise: US$1,500 recognition on the website landing page, 1-night at the Galapagos Magic Camp and an adopted Escalecia tree.
- Escalecia: US$1,000 recognition on the website landing page and an adopted Escalecia tree.
- Pajaro Brujo (Darwin’s Flycatcher): US$500 recognition on the website landing page.
CONSERVATION & RESERVE FEE
All guests of Galapagos Magic Camp will contribute a Conservation Fee of $10 per person, per night and will be offered the opportunity to adopt an Escalecia tree* for an additional $15 a year for 5 years (or a one off $50 donation).
*All adopted Escalecia trees include a small ID plaque at the tree.
