MMUN Galapagos Environmental Summit

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1 About the Galapagos MMUN Galapagos Environmental Summit The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, 650 miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America. They are isolated from any other island group or land form. Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galápagos are a melting pot of marine species. Galapagos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These islands are home for dozens of species of both plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. The Galapagos Tortoise, for example, is the largest reptile found anywhere on the planet, and it lives longer than any animal known to man. The oldest is currently over 170 years old and lives in a zoo in Australia. Other unique animals include the Flightless Cormorant, the Marine Iguana, the Galapagos Penguin, and Darwin's Finches. Darwin's visit to the Galapagos for five weeks in 1835 on the HMS Beagle provided the starting point for the development of his theory of natural selection. Evening Discussions After each day of exploration on the islands we will convene in the boat lounge for our evening discussions. Some topics to be discussed: How Ecuador and the Galapagos Park have worked for the conservation of Land and Marine life. The Global Recycling and waste disposal policies and their effectiveness and Ineffectiveness of these policies worldwide. The uniqueness and connectedness of Marine life, Land Animals, Plant life in Ecuador and the Galapagos. Nowhere else in the world is a ecosystem this rich and diverse nowhere else are. The urgency and need of conservation efforts globally to be implemented How students can create similar conservation efforts in their community to protect wildlife, marine life, plant life and the environment in general. Students will be inspired by what they see and experience to help create their own action plan when they return home. Galapagos Tour Guides During the entire tour we will be accompanied by Galapagos Park certified tour guides. Galapagos tour guides are some of the best industry Highly trained specialists Spend years studying the Galapagos Unique Ecological Environment Fluent English and Spanish speakers and are excellent communicators

2 Have a unique ability to safely guide a interaction between the students and the animals (Animals are not afraid or attracted to humans) (no touching allowed but they do not run away) Study Guides Study guides will be available for download on the website by June 15 th. These guides will help you to prepare your students on topics such as the following: The Marine life, Land Animals, and Plant life they will see and experience. Environmental policies and actions used in the Galapagos and globally used. Conservation programs that students can and will be encouraged to implement locally.

3 Jan 26 th, Summit Day 1 Galapagos Islands Summit Itinerary January 26 th February 2 nd, 2016 AM: Arrive at Baltra Island Airport Transfer to boat PM: Santa Cruz Island Black Turtle Cove Situated in the northern part of Santa Cruz, the Black Turtle Cove is an inlet surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a safe haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here. Highlights: Baby hammerhead shark, rays, sea turtles, sea birds Activities: Dinghy ride January 27 th, Summit Day 2 AM: Genovesa Island, El Barranco Also known as Prince Phillip's Steps, El Barranco s steep, rocky paths leads up to a high cliff-face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.. Highlights: Red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves Activities: Hiking (0.9 miles/2 km) Type of Landing: Dry, difficult landing Difficulty: Moderate PM: Genovesa Island, Darwin Bay This white sand coral beach heads a half mile trail (0.75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here.

4 Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view off a cliff. Highlights: Nazca boobies, red- footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves, coral pebbles beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish and hammerhead sharks Activities: Hiking (0.9 miles/1.5 km), snorkeling, kayaking & dinghy ride Type of Landing: Wet landing. / moderate January 28 th, Summit Day 3 AM: Santiago Island, Sullivan Bay A coral beach landing leads you towards a lava field as far as the eye can see. Hunt and peck over the two distinguished types of lava, pahoehoe and 'a'a, for signs of plant life that have managed to emerge over the past 100 years since the most recent volcanic explosion. A truly amazing volcanic experience up close and personal! Highlights: Variety of lava formations and landscapes, pahoehoe lava which is found primarily in Hawai'i and the Galapagos islands, 'a'a lava, and pristine coral sand beach Activities: Walk, snorkel, swim Type of Landing: Wet landing to moderate. Be sure to wear good solid walking shoes or boots PM: Rabida Island Rabida Island (Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkeling site. Its famous maroon sandy beach and stunning lookouts provide wonderful landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, largebilled flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.

5 Highlights: Snorkeling: white-cheeked pintail ducks, colorful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon, penguins, Galapagos hawk Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride & short hike (0.6 miles /1 km) Type of Landing: Wet landing / moderate January 29 th, Summit Day 4 AM: Santa Cruz Island, Charles Darwin Station The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to turtles ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own. Highlights: Giant tortoises in captivity Activities: Walking Type of Landing: Dry landing PM: Santa Cruz Island, El Chato Tortoise Reserve The El Chato reserve is divided into two areas: Caseta and Chato. The trail begins at Santa Rosa (13.7 miles / 22 km) from Puerto Ayora, with the Caseta route being the more challenging. The reserve allows visitors to observe giant tortoises in the wild during the dry season and is also a good place to spot short-eared owls, Darwin s finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails and paint-billed crakes. Highlights: Giant tortoises, finches, Galapagos rails Activities: Walking, horse riding, bird watching Type of Landing: Dry landing / medium

6 January 30 th, Summit Day 5 AM: Santa Cruz Island, Dragon Hill Situated on Santa Cruz Island, Dragon Hill is one of the newest visitor sites accessible to tourists in the Galapagos Islands. One of the lengthier Galapagos walking trails will lead visitors along a beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks, and land iguanas can be spotted. Highlights: Land iguana nesting spot, Galapagos flamingos, common stilts, palo santo trees and cacti forest Activities: Walking and hiking Type of Landing: Dry landing to moderate: the trail may get muddy at times, and there is uneven rocky terrain. PM: Santa Cruz Island, Bachas Beach Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a swimming beach. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach. Highlights: World War II remnants Animals: Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, whimbrels, sea turtles Type of Landing: Wet

7 January 31 st, Summit Day 6 AM: Floreana Island, Post Office Bay Post Office Bay In the 18th century whalers passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mail box. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home. Highlights: Post office barrel, nice sandy beach Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 miles/1 km) & snorkeling Type of Landing: Wet landing PM: Floreana Island, Cormorant Point or Devils Crown This site hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct: The Green Beach named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the Four Sand Beach composed of white coral. Highlights: Flamingos, green-colored beach Activities: Dinghy ride & hike (1.2 miles /2 km) Type of Landing: Wet landing

8 February 1 st, Summit Day 7 AM Española Island: Suarez Point This area is great for spotting bluefooted boobies, albatrosses and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the ocean front, the large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air. This site presents wonderful photograph opportunities. Highlights: Hood mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, waved albatrosses, red-billed tropicbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, blue-footed boobies, blowhole, amazing landscape Activities: Hike (1.9 miles/3 km) Type of Landing: Dry landing Difficulty: Difficult PM: Española Island, Gardner Bay Gardner Bay, on the eastern side of the island, is the breeding site of nearly all of the world s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It has an ample white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions, perfect for relaxing. Its rocky shores make this site a great place for diving and snorkeling. Highlights: White sandy beach, sea lions, mockingbirds; snorkeling: colorful fish, sea lion nursery Activities: Snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking, short hike of (0.6 miles/1 km) Type of Landing: Wet landing

9 February 2 nd, Summit Day 8 AM: San Cristobal, Interpretation Center The Interpretation Center was opened in 1998 as a phase of the project Interpretation and Environment Education Project. Visitors enjoy expositions on natural history, human history, and conservation. The conservation efforts represent the movement to protect the wildlife and natural environment through means of population and tourist control. The Interpretation Center has an outdoor stadium, audio-visual equipment, and meeting rooms. Activities: Short walk Type of Landing: Dry Highlights: Information and history about the Galapagos Islands. PM: Transfer to the San Cristobal Airport Fly Home

10 Summit Package Price Includes: Summit Package Information Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily Full-time services of a professional Tour Director Guided sightseeing Visits to select attractions as per itinerary Airport pick up and drop off Pricing* $3,499 per Student $3,799 per Adult *Pricing based on double occupancy Summit Package Price does not include: Airfare Trip insurance Park Entrance fees Special Discount For schools that attended any of the MMUN tours in 2014 and 2015 will receive a $100 discount on Adult fare. Booking Policies There are 4 cabins on the top decks that have larger windows, which will go to the first Adults that sign up. The lower deck rooms only have smaller windows. Every room has its own private bathroom. The Boat The Galaven is an 88 ft. expedition vessel for 20 passengers accommodated in 11 double cabins, all with private bathrooms, air-conditioning and ocean views. It offers spacious outdoor seating areas with sun chairs, large interior dining room and a library equipped with a TV & DVD player for daily briefing and presentations. See boat pictures on the following page.

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