Thanks to a Collaborative Alliance, the Tree Nursery of Galápagos National Park has been renovated
The Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) has unveiled the newly upgraded Forest Nursery on Santa Cruz Island, now named the Hernán Carrión Nursery in honor of the distinguished park ranger. This effort marks a milestone in the archipelago’s conservation endeavors.
Under our cooperation agreement with Celebrity Cruises, through the Celebrity Galápagos Fund managed by Galápagos Conservancy, resources were allocated to conduct comprehensive maintenance and other enhancements at the forest nursery. This initiative strengthened its infrastructure and optimized plant production capabilities for conservation projects.
Dr. Washington Tapia, our General Director, emphasized that this initiative reaffirms our commitment to conserving Galápagos’ unique biodiversity. “Galápagos Conservancy is privileged to participate in this project, which contributes to maintaining the diversity of plants of the archipelago,” he noted.
Role in Ecological Restoration Projects
The Santa Cruz Tree Nursery serves not only as a hub for native and endemic plant production but also as a cornerstone in conserving the archipelago’s unique ecosystems. Managed by conservation experts, the nursery is crucial in propagating seedlings vital for restoring degraded ecosystems impacted by invasive species, which demand urgent recovery efforts.
Since 2014, Celebrity Cruises has partnered with GNPD, enabling approximately 35,000 tourists to plant over 72,000 seedlings across 28 hectares in Santa Cruz’s highlands. This engagement fosters direct contact with nature, bolstering Galápagos’ standing as a premier tourist destination.
Fausto Arcos, General Manager of Celebrity Cruises in Ecuador, expressed, “We are honored that our guests actively participate in these projects, forging a deep connection with nature and contributing to the sustainability of this remarkable environment.”
Planting Hope and Knowledge in Galápagos
The dedicated experts at the Hernán Carrión Tree Nursery work tirelessly to propagate native and endemic species essential for restoring degraded areas. Each year, they successfully cultivate between 20,000 and 25,000 plants native to Galápagos, including the giant daisy tree (Scalesia pedunculata), white wild coffee (Psychotria rufipes), Galápagos croton (Croton scouleri), and Darwin’s daisy (Darwiniothamnus tenuifolius).
Beyond its conservation role, the nursery serves an educational purpose by raising awareness among visitors and residents about the importance of preserving local biodiversity. This endeavor safeguards Galápagos’ unique flora species and promotes sustainable practices throughout the archipelago.
This collaboration among GNPD, Celebrity Cruises, and Galápagos Conservancy serves as a beacon for maintaining the ecological integrity and resilience of Galápagos ecosystems.
