Featured Story
Breathtaking Ecuadorian Experience
by Science Teacher Carrie Van Atten
Teaming up with the Texas Association of Biology Teachers (TABT) and Texas A&M University, I experienced the professional development trip of a lifetime in Ecuador this summer. Along with 14 other educators ranging from science curriculum coordinators and textbook editors to university professors and classroom teachers from across the United States, the group spent 10 days exploring the incredible biodiversity of the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve and the Galápagos Islands. Armed with a camera, a snorkel and mask, and a blank journal, there is no better way to describe the adventure other than truly breathtaking.
Before boarding the M/Y Yolita II for a week long trip to the Galápagos Islands, I explored the political capital of Quito. Nestled among a dramatic mountainous landscape, the city is an intriguing mix of old and new. My adventures included a memorable climb atop the La Basílica del Voto Nacional for an amazing panoramic view of the city and standing on both sides of the equator at Mitad del Mundo.
A day trip to the Bellavista Cloud Forest offered a snapshot of the biodiversity that can be found on the mainland in Ecuador. Hummingbirds, salamanders, frogs, insects, and a variety of vegetation welcomed the group during a challenging hike to beautiful lookout points along the trails. While providing education to its visitors, the reserve exemplified the true definition of ecotourism—low impact on the land and forest preservation.
Arriving in the Galápagos, you could feel the energy from tourists waiting to meet their assigned naturalist and to board their floating home for the next week. Situated in the Pacific Ocean about 600 miles west of the South American continent, the islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called a “living museum and showcase of evolution” by scientists. There is no doubt that the Galápagos is a melting pot of marine species, vegetation, and, of course, birds. Varied landscapes and the extreme isolation of the islands have led to the development of unusual animal life—such as the land iguana, the giant tortoise, and the many types of finch, which famously inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection following his visit in 1835.
Every sunrise offered a new island landscape and a diverse group of animals welcoming you to their playground. While all of the islands were born due to the volcanic activity in the area, each destination offers distinctive picturesque and dramatic scenery, with some islands continuing to change shape because many volcanoes are still demonstrating their fury. The interaction with island creatures is unlike any experience I have ever encountered. While park rules instruct you to stay at least 6 feet away from the animals, it is clear that they do not adhere to the same rules. With few predators, the animals tend to be just as curious as the tourist, and they sometimes encroach much closer than you might expect.
While my trip as a whole was completely amazing, there are some experiences that will always stand out in my mind. On the northern island of Genovesa during our exploration of the nesting grounds of the red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and frigatebirds, one of the red-footed boobies decided he was finished posing for pictures and leaped to my feet before walking to an open space so that he could fly away. Later that day we encountered a stubborn baby Nazca boobie who decided that he was the “king” of the trail and he squawked at many of us as we tried to squeeze by him. Clearly, the birds of the Galápagos Island have no fear!
Climbing to the summit of Bartolome Island, home of Pinnacle Rock or “Guardian of the Isles,” offered an iconic setting to view Sullivan Bay and the black lava flow that covers a section of James Island across the bay. After our morning trek up the mountain, we were able to see Pinnacle Rock from a different view while we snorkeled around the point. Our underwater adventures proved magnificent as we swam among graceful Galápagos penguins and beautifully colored tropical fish. Other days the snorkel ventures captured moments watching a marine iguana eat red algae right off the steep underwater cliffs, swimming with sea lions, diving to observe sea turtles and watching schools of tropical fish swim in perfect unison.
Puerto Villamil, one of the few towns on the Galápagos Islands, provided the backdrop for what can only be described as a blue-footed boobie “storm”. After spending the day ducking through a lava tunnel and bird-watching at the base of a volcano, we were bombarded by hundreds of boobies diving for fish just below the water’s surface. It was quite a show!
Due to the different make-up of the islands, many of the beaches had distinctive colors based on the materials that had eroded to create the coastline. Being a protected World Heritage Site means that all natural materials and organisms must stay on the islands, but on the beach at Darwin Bay, I was lucky enough to find a treasure that I was allowed to remove. In this case, it was an instance that one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure! I found a rare piece of seaglass that I snatched up in my attempt to help keep the islands clean…clearly a souvenir that I will always cherish.
As legend has it the Galápagos Islands were named for the saddleback tortoises that Spanish sailors found roaming in the highlands. This fact obviously tends to make the giant tortoise a well sought after attraction for any tourist, myself included. We had the opportunity to visit one of the archipelagos Tortoise Breeding Centers. The breeding center was home to over 330 juvenile and adult tortoises from the island of Isabela. I even had the chance to see a newly born tortoise that was no bigger than a plum.
Fascinating wildlife, stunning landscapes, and compelling geological formations are just a few of the things that make the Galápagos Islands unlike any other place on Earth. I am very grateful for this professional development experience. It was a truly unforgettable opportunity to explore the archipelago that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution, while learning about the islands’ endemic species, conservation initiatives, and diverse geography.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
