In the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean lies a cluster of islands that have captivated the minds of scientists and adventurers alike for centuries. These islands, known as the Galápagos, hold within their rugged landscapes and azure waters the keys to one of the most profound theories in the history of science: Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.

This March, under the guidance of Dr. Bill Hopkins and Dr. Ignacio Moore, 15 students delved into the heart of Darwin's legacy, immersing themselves in the living laboratory that inspired his groundbreaking ideas.

Max Nootbaar, a senior in wildlife conservation, shared his excitement, saying, “I've always wanted to go to the Galápagos. I've known I've wanted to study animals since I was pretty young... When I saw I could have the opportunity to go there and see the birthplace of the theory of evolution, I knew I wanted to go.”

Understanding Evolution in Action

For Max and his fellow travelers, the Galápagos proved to be a paradise of biodiversity and ecological wonder. From snorkeling alongside sharks and turtles to hiking up the slopes of an active volcano, every moment led students to discovery.

Max, an avid birdwatcher, reminisced about his encounters with the iconic finches of the Galápagos, noting their remarkable adaptability and the challenges of identifying the subtle variations among species. “They've only existed for a couple million years, which in evolutionary time is very short,” Max said. “These Finches are really variable and hard to identify. It was really cool to see this crazy diversity of finches that evolved and radiated from a common ancestor that found its way to this volcanic island chain out in the middle of the Pacific.”

Collage of images from Galápagos trip
Left: Students pose with the VT flag at a lookout in Bartolomé. Top Right: Student snorkeling with sea turtles at Lobería Beach, San Cristobal. Bottom Right: Iguana laying on volcanic rocks at La Lobería, San Cristobal.

Conservation and Cultural Insight

Sophia Detrick, a sophomore in biological sciences, reflected on the profound impact of the trip on her understanding of conservation and environmental stewardship. 

“Literally everything you do is directly going to affect something in one shape or form,” she noted, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human actions and ecological health. “I'm realizing that my actions and what I do can directly affect the environment and conservation efforts.”

Sophia and Max found inspiration in the innovative conservation efforts they witnessed on the islands, from tortoise breeding programs to community-driven initiatives to reduce plastic waste.

Moreover, the trip offered invaluable insights into the intricate relationship between humans and their natural environment. Sophia observed, “The culture is not something that you can really replicate here... That's something that stuck out a lot to me. Yes, I'm focusing on evolution and ecology, but a massive part of the experience  was related to people and how they live there.”

Collage of images from Galápagos trip
Top Left: Students pose with the VT flag on a boat ride to Kicker Rock, San Cristobal. Top Right: Scenery while visiting Los Túneles, Isabela. Bottom Left: Students look over volcanic rock during a hike at La Lobería, San Cristobal. Bottom Right: Students pose while visiting Los Túneles, Isabela.

Appreciating the Galápagos Ecosystem

Throughout their journey, the students became active participants in the ongoing dialogue about the delicate relationship between humanity and nature. Whether snorkeling amidst vibrant coral reefs or engaging with local researchers and conservationists, each experience deepened their appreciation for the delicate balance of life on Earth.

Max shared that his experiences in the Galápagos solidified his desire to study understudied and imperiled species to learn more about them and how to conserve them. “We visited several Galápagos giant tortoise breeding facilities,” Max recalled. “There's a different tortoise species on each of these islands and some of them have gone extinct. So there are conservation organizations looking at genetics and seeing which tortoise species are most closely related to the extinct species. These programs are then breeding them to try and create a tortoise that is phenotypically similar to the one that went extinct. I didn’t know much about captive breeding programs, so seeing their efforts firsthand was really awesome.”

Collage of images from Galápagos trip
Left: Local guide talking with students on hike at La Lobería, San Cristobal. Top Right: Researcher Juan Pablo shares a lecture about his research on sea turtles. Bottom Right: Students sit to write in their trip journals.

Life-Altering Expedition

As the sun set on their final day in the Galápagos, the students returned home with heads  full of memories and minds buzzing with newfound knowledge. For Max, Sophia, and their peers, the semester-long course and  spring break adventure was more than just a trip—it was a transformative experience that reaffirmed their passion for understanding and protecting the wonders of our planet.

“My main goal was to take everything around me in and I'm very happy with my ability to do that,” Sophia shared. “Yeah, I was exhausted by the end of it but I would go back any moment I could.”

Interested in joining the adventure in future years?  Come explore the flora, fauna, and conservation efforts that thrive in the Galápagos Islands and continue to inspire future generations of scientific leaders. 

Program inquiries can be directed to Dr. Ignacio Moore at itmoore@vt.edu and Dr. William Hopkins at hopkinsw@vt.edu.