Fundación Naveducando is a small Ecuadorian nonprofit based in the Galápagos Islands, dedicated to ensuring that every child has meaningful access to the ocean as a place of learning, connection, and stewardship. Through our flagship program, Galápagos Infinito, we transform boats, coastlines, and marine protected areas into living classrooms where children experience the natural wonders of their islands firsthand through snorkeling, nature observation, storytelling, science, and environmental action. Founded in response to the paradox that many Galápagos children grow up with limited direct access to the sea despite living in one of the world's most important marine ecosystems, our work focuses primarily on 10–12-year-old students across the inhabited islands of the archipelago. Our team combines expertise in education, conservation, community engagement, and experiential learning. We work in articulation with schools, local guides, tourism operators, scientists, families.
Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is the only UK registered charity to focus exclusively on supporting the conservation and sustainability of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Famous for their unique biodiversity, this precious place represents hope for the rest of the planet, aiming to set an example of a system with thriving island and ocean biodiversity where humans really can prosper alongside nature. Our programmes respond to major threats to the Islands and the surrounding ocean including tackling pollution, invasive species, unsustainable tourism and overfishing. We take a ‘science to solutions’ approach, ensuring our programmes are based on robust science and result in solutions being implemented. We work in collaboration with an ecosystem of partners, from ‘grassroots to Government’ to ensure conservation solutions are co-designed, accepted, and effective.
Project story
Aula Oceánica a Vela Galapagueña: Reconnecting Galápagos Children to Their Ocean Home
After years living in the Galápagos Islands, I discovered a heartbreaking paradox: children surrounded by one of Earth's most remarkable marine ecosystems rarely experience it. Many have never snorkeled in the marine reserve or felt the ocean's wonder. If you cannot protect what you do not love nor love what you do not know, how will they become the stewards of this Natural World Heritage Site?
This sparked Galápagos Infinito, our initiative to give every island child meaningful ocean access. Today, rising threats such as climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing, and invasive species, endanger these ecosystems. Nurturing a generation that feels personally connected to their ocean home is the greatest ally to conservation efforts that will require more than science and protected areas.
Introducing the Aula Oceánica a Vela Galapagueña (the Galapagos Sailing Oceanic Classroom). This concept has been tested through chartering a monohull private sailboat. We are taking our journey to the next level, by transforming a polynesian-inspired sailing catamaran into a permanent mobile educational platform and living classroom where local children will experience their islands first hand, learn from the sea, and develop identity and stewardship.
Over the course of the school year, we will reach 450 students aged 10–12 across 20 schools on the four inhabited islands. Students will sail protected waters, observe wildlife, practice seamanship, and take part in exploration stations in remote coastal beach sites - snorkeling, exploring the intertidal zone, beach clean-up and nature journaling to develop and deepen their ecological understanding and stewardship.
Our goals:
Equip the sailing catamaran with educational spaces: library; microscope; hydrophone; weather instruments; ocean monitoring station;
Reinforce safety features onboard while working with children;
Develop the currículum, hands-on modules, stewardship and storytelling components;
Train local educators in experiential marine education;
45 day trip with 10 students onboard + 1 teacher & 2 educators + 2 crew per day.
Community Partnerships: Building on five successful years of implementing the Galápagos Infinito program we work at the intersection of conservation, education and tourism with a focus on showcasing Galápagos as a regenerative tourism destination were the sector which represents 80% of the economy gives back to the community by ensure equitable access to the protected areas. We also focus on building inter-sectorial partnerships with the public sector (Galapagos National Park Directorate, Galapagos Government Council, District of Education); the private sector (tourism boat operators), other grassroots organizations, and community with parents and teachers.
Project updates
Team
A Galapagos Sailing Oceanic Classroom
Fundación Naveducando is a small Ecuadorian nonprofit based in the Galápagos Islands, dedicated to ensuring that every child has meaningful access to the ocean as a place of learning, connection, and stewardship. Through our flagship program, Galápagos Infinito, we transform boats, coastlines, and marine protected areas into living classrooms where children experience the natural wonders of their islands firsthand through snorkeling, nature observation, storytelling, science, and environmental action. Founded in response to the paradox that many Galápagos children grow up with limited direct access to the sea despite living in one of the world's most important marine ecosystems, our work focuses primarily on 10–12-year-old students across the inhabited islands of the archipelago. Our team combines expertise in education, conservation, community engagement, and experiential learning. We work in articulation with schools, local guides, tourism operators, scientists, families.
Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is the only UK registered charity to focus exclusively on supporting the conservation and sustainability of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Famous for their unique biodiversity, this precious place represents hope for the rest of the planet, aiming to set an example of a system with thriving island and ocean biodiversity where humans really can prosper alongside nature. Our programmes respond to major threats to the Islands and the surrounding ocean including tackling pollution, invasive species, unsustainable tourism and overfishing. We take a ‘science to solutions’ approach, ensuring our programmes are based on robust science and result in solutions being implemented. We work in collaboration with an ecosystem of partners, from ‘grassroots to Government’ to ensure conservation solutions are co-designed, accepted, and effective.
Project story
Aula Oceánica a Vela Galapagueña: Reconnecting Galápagos Children to Their Ocean Home
After years living in the Galápagos Islands, I discovered a heartbreaking paradox: children surrounded by one of Earth's most remarkable marine ecosystems rarely experience it. Many have never snorkeled in the marine reserve or felt the ocean's wonder. If you cannot protect what you do not love nor love what you do not know, how will they become the stewards of this Natural World Heritage Site?
This sparked Galápagos Infinito, our initiative to give every island child meaningful ocean access. Today, rising threats such as climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing, and invasive species, endanger these ecosystems. Nurturing a generation that feels personally connected to their ocean home is the greatest ally to conservation efforts that will require more than science and protected areas.
Introducing the Aula Oceánica a Vela Galapagueña (the Galapagos Sailing Oceanic Classroom). This concept has been tested through chartering a monohull private sailboat. We are taking our journey to the next level, by transforming a polynesian-inspired sailing catamaran into a permanent mobile educational platform and living classroom where local children will experience their islands first hand, learn from the sea, and develop identity and stewardship.
Over the course of the school year, we will reach 450 students aged 10–12 across 20 schools on the four inhabited islands. Students will sail protected waters, observe wildlife, practice seamanship, and take part in exploration stations in remote coastal beach sites - snorkeling, exploring the intertidal zone, beach clean-up and nature journaling to develop and deepen their ecological understanding and stewardship.
Our goals:
Equip the sailing catamaran with educational spaces: library; microscope; hydrophone; weather instruments; ocean monitoring station;
Reinforce safety features onboard while working with children;
Develop the currículum, hands-on modules, stewardship and storytelling components;
Train local educators in experiential marine education;
45 day trip with 10 students onboard + 1 teacher & 2 educators + 2 crew per day.
Community Partnerships: Building on five successful years of implementing the Galápagos Infinito program we work at the intersection of conservation, education and tourism with a focus on showcasing Galápagos as a regenerative tourism destination were the sector which represents 80% of the economy gives back to the community by ensure equitable access to the protected areas. We also focus on building inter-sectorial partnerships with the public sector (Galapagos National Park Directorate, Galapagos Government Council, District of Education); the private sector (tourism boat operators), other grassroots organizations, and community with parents and teachers.
Project updates
Team
Location
Ecuador
Round 3
Jul 1-21, 2026
Supporting community-led nature projects around the world.
Matching funds provided by
