Effective control of introduced species will not be possible without the support and involvement of the Galapagos visitors and local population. This program aims to link research and management programs with community needs, to promote an adequate capability and appropriate attitudes and responses from concerned stakeholders in the local, national and international community, so that successful bio-invasion control can be achieved.
To attain the expected impact the 'Community awareness and involvement in alien species control' program uses a range of disciplines, such as communication, environmental education, social marketing, and social participation, within an integral approach. Its action lines are:
- Public participation
- Community involvement
- Environmental Education and Communication (EEC)
- Enhancement of installed capacities
- Assessment and monitoring
By means of public discussion forums, the communication and education teams of the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos National Park expect to provide help in limiting possible conflicts and supporting effective participation from groups involved in the management of introduced species. Community monitoring support has enabled us to detect and eliminate recently introduced species as well as unexpected eruptions of invasive species.
New strategies on Environmental Education and Communication at both local and national levels have been implemented to promote understanding and establish changes in behavior in target audiences. Multimedia is used, environmental education centers have been created in Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal islands, and alliances with local media and education workers are promoted.
The program also includes institutional capacity strengthening, of both the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Foundation, and the development and application of methods to assess the effectiveness of awareness and participation programs to produce changes in attitude and behavior.