SCONC IN THE GALÁPAGOS

Read about how SCONC's support helped Joy Reeves get to South America!
7

THANK YOU, SCONC!

Thursday, July 11, 2024, by Joy Reeves

Greetings from the Galápagos! As a 2024 Planet Forward Storyfest winner, I’ve had the honor of joining National Geographic’s Lindblad Expeditions on a trip to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador, with travel support from SCONC that allowed me to participate in the trip. The past seven days have been too incredible to confine into words or even photographs—just unforgettable memories of pristine hikes, giant tortoise encounters, snorkeling with sea lions, blue whale sightings, and scientific learning spaces in the humbling footsteps of Darwin.

My experience in the Galápagos was nothing short of incredible—and I am grateful to SCONC for making it possible. It’s a unique experience to trek across an island surrounded by circling frigate birds, dozing sea lions, marine iguanas, tortoises, and dozens of unique creatures who embody the outcomes of evolution—and are completely unbothered by humans. I knew the animals weren’t going to be afraid of us, but I had no idea they would be so curious and downright friendly! 

My favorite moment was definitely dancing underwater with a young sea lion who dove alongside me while we snorkeled from a zodiac, diving snout-first into the GoPro camera I held as if he knew he was being filmed. Other personal highlights of the trip were spotting Godzilla-like marine iguanas on Fernandina, nerding out at evening science talks, and speaking Spanish with naturalists and locals.

As weird as it feels to be back in my home city, the Galápagos have made me think differently about the ecosystems I inhabit and how to remain an environmental steward of their uniqueness. I am incredibly grateful to SCONC for providing a travel grant that allowed me to participate in this experience with National Geographic’s Lindblad Expeditions. Anytime I need motivation to keep working in the environmental field, my heart will go back to the Galápagos!

unfinished comic doodle about trying to describe the Galápagos experience.
BECOME A SCONC

Or stay connected as a Friend by signing up for our listserv and quarterly newsletter