the galápagos islands are a haven for thousands of diverse plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on this planet.

famously, the galápagos islands were an inspiration and key research site of charles darwin whose on the origin of species catapulted the theory of evolution into mainstream consciousness. today, 97% of the island lands are protected as a national park. 

planet forward has had the honor of bringing to students to amazing places with lindblad expeditions who have sponsored our premiere storytelling contest since 2018. the annual planet forward storyfest awards recognize and reward the best and most compelling student-told stories illuminating environmental issues and solutions.

in total, four cohorts of storyfest winners have travelled to the galápagos under this partnership, engaging in experiential learning and reporting on the unique and extraordinary stories found in the archipelago.

our student travelers have immersed themselves in the rich history of these awe-inspiring islands, telling important stories about the wildlife, people, and conservation projects that call the galápagos home. from exploring invasive species control efforts to investigating the role of local ecuadorians in leading the conservation of the islands, our students have covered a diverse range of topics that we hope will energize and inspire you too. 

a pioneer in the eco-tourism industry, lindblad brought the very first group of citizen travelers to the galápagos islands more than 50 years ago. its founder, lars-eric lindblad, also funded the first galápagos park rangers. every ship in lindblad’s galápagos fleet employs a team of expert guides who lead excursions and interpret the archipelago’s incredible wildlife for travelers. 

with masterful guidance from teams of naturalists and lindblad expeditions‘ attention to crafting a rich, educational experience, we could not be more grateful for the continued support for our students to have these amazing opportunities. see all of our stories from the galápagos over the years below!

editor’s note: lindblad expeditions, our planet forward storyfest competition partner, made these series possible by providing winners with an experiential learning opportunity aboard one of their ships. we thank lindblad expeditions for their support of our project.