This summer, Ecoventura is elated to once again offer passengers aboard select family departures the opportunity to experience the Galapagos Islands directly alongside EPI conservationists.
Ecology Project International (EPI) is a nonprofit, educational organization based in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz whose mission is to improve upon current scientific education and conservation efforts worldwide. Through field-based student-scientist partnerships, EPI demonstrates that by investing in the youth of today we can protect the world of tomorrow.
To aid in the ongoing effort of inspiring ecology’s next generation and through the partnerships they’ve created between students and scientists, EPI aims to educate, train and empower the youth of today to take an active role in conservation and further the efforts of present scientists by carrying their torch into the future.
Ecoventura is proud to be the first tour boat operator in the Galapagos to offer activities involving EPI students and is pleased to open three excursions for our family teen departures beginning this month, July 2017. If you have budding naturalists in your family, this is the perfect adventure for them!
During our summer family teen departures with EPI, visiting teens will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with local EPI students and accompany them in their everyday activities including the exploration of the reserve, visitation of the greenhouse area, observation of the seed identification activity, and more.
EPI is particularly involved in the protection of green sea turtles which are an endangered species caught in a continuing population decline. Like other sea turtles, the Galapagos’ green turtles are especially vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts throughout their various stages of life.
In an effort to stop their declining numbers, EPI students work to identify and flag nests as well as study the environmental effects of things such as beach erosion on nesting green turtles. Visitors taking part in these select Ecoventura teen departures will be given the unique opportunity to improve upon the ecosystem and leave the Galapagos in a better state than which they find it while simultaneously enriching their knowledge base and sharing once-in-a-lifetime experiences with like-minded EPI students.
On our first EPI departure of the 2017 season, we happily donated a Celestron Powerseeker 70EQ telescope to the students so they can enjoy stargazing while winding down after their full days in one of the most celestial places on earth.
Families aboard Ecoventura’s first class yachts, the Eric or Letty, for itinerary A (below) visit the EPI field camps on Thursday and accompany the students in their own journey of discovery. The visit is only on selected summer departure dates. Dates for 2018 will be available soon or please inquire. Doing so will provide participant families with greater insight into what conservationists face in their daily battle to defend the islands from invasive species and protect the locale to preserve it for future generations.
ITINERARY A
SN = snorkel, KY = kayak or SUP, PR = panga (zodiac) ride
SUNDAY: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, SAN CRISTOBAL (Chatham)
Cerro Tijeretas, SAN CRISTOBAL
MONDAY: Cerro Brujo (SN, PR, KY) SAN CRISTOBAL
Punta Pitt, (SN, PR) SAN CRISTOBAL
TUESDAY: Punta Suarez, ESPANOLA (Hood)
Gardner Bay (SN, PR, KY) ESPANOLA
WEDNESDAY: Punta Cormorant (PR), Champion Islet (SN), FLOREANA
Post Office Bay (SN), Baroness Point (PR), FLOREANA (Charles)
THURSDAY: Highlands of SANTA CRUZ (Indefatigable)
CCFL Breeding Center (Darwin Station), SANTA CRUZ
FRIDAY: Bartolome (PR, SN) or Las Bachas Beach (SN)
Las Bachas (SN) or Black Turtle Cove (PR)
SATURDAY: South Plaza Island
North Seymour (PR, SN)
SUNDAY: Interpretation Center, SAN CRISTOBAL (Chatham)
This is the perfect opportunity for your young scientist-in-the-making to spread his or her wings.
Ecoventura is currently offering 3-time blocks for family departures with EPI including August 6-13, and August 20-27, but these trips tend to book up very quickly so act now before you miss the boat — no pun intended!
More detailed information on family departure activities can be found here.
Book yourFamily Departure with EPI now!
