In Galapagos We Trust

The Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin and they will inspire you. But this Ecuadorian paradise needs your help.

Responsible Travel is offering you the chance to experience an island oasis while helping keep it that way. Galapagos features one of the world's most diverse eco-systems, nearly a hundred snow-capped volcanoes and its own stretch of South American rainforest. It's likely that you couldn't go anywhere else on earth and see such a concentration of dazzling natural wonders.

One of its islands, San Cristobal, recently launched a new biological station to fight against the forces that would diminish its natural habitat, but they need volunteers. With trips leaving twice a month, Responsible Travel puts you in a position to help introduce organic farming to the locals, help maintain the nature trails and assist in eco-friendly building. The project also hopes to improve island farming so the natives, who suffer high unemployment, can provide restaurants and hotels with local produce and avoid the import of unregulated (and somtimes damaging) fruits and vegetables.

As you help preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the local staff will take you on trips to the local lagoon, beaches, native forests and hiking trails and explain the many ecological marvels of the area. In the end, you will leave knowing you left the island better than when you came — or as Darwin would say, you displayed an act of mankind evolving the right way!

Photos courtesy of Gogo, Vic Sofras and Williwieberg via Flickr.