Shipped(92)

And while Seaquest Adventures is a fictional cruise line, there are small ship adventure cruises that operate in the Galápagos and all over the world. If you’re fortunate enough to have the means and opportunity to travel and you’re considering booking a cruise, I encourage you to research your options. Lindblad Expeditions, for example, is a longtime leader in sustainability and responsible, eco-friendly travel (and my personal favorite).

As for other locales, the research station and tortoise breeding center that Henley and Graeme visit is fictional, but was inspired by the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galápagos National Park Directorate’s tortoise breeding center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.

But fun facts aside, one of the most important elements I included in Shipped is not at all fictional, although I wish it were. The parasitic fly Philornis downsi is quite real, and so is the impact that it and other human-brought invasive species are having on the islands. I first learned about invasive species like Philornis in the course of my day job working in the realm of corporate philanthropy, but it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to travel to the Galápagos in 2016 that I truly understood the importance of managing invasive species to protect native wildlife.

Part of the wonder of Galápagos is the chance it offers to deeply connect with nature in a way that’s not often available. Because the Galápagos Islands have so few natural predators and people didn’t arrive until 1535, the wildlife there evolved with no inherent fear of humans. When is the last time you approached a bird and it didn’t fly away? Walked by an iguana and it only turned its face into the sun instead of scurrying under a bush? Snorkeled alongside inquisitive—not frightened—sea lions or penguins (penguins!)? These are some of the special wildlife encounters I experienced in the Galápagos, and they took root in my heart and touched my soul.

Exploring Galápagos helped me understand that we’re all connected—humans, plants, animals, ocean, ecosystems. The wild places of the world are shrinking, so it’s all too easy to picture ourselves as existing separately from the natural world, but humans play a critical role in the health of the planet. Our actions can have negative consequences (climate change, pollution, mass extinction, etc.), but what I found most inspiring in the Galápagos was proof that people are capable of catalyzing positive changes as well. It all comes down to which you choose.

The people of Galápagos, for example, are choosing to take action to protect the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is their home. During my travels, I met local artisans who are using recycled materials like paper and glass to create beautiful works of art and, at the same time, reduce the amount of waste on the islands. I saw giant tortoises in person—reptiles that not fifty years ago were on the brink of extinction—and met the scientists who are working hard to preserve them and other endemic species. I learned about the Galápagos National Park Directorate’s efforts to monitor the Galápagos Marine Reserve and prevent illegal fishing. And I spoke with children at a school in the highlands of Santa Cruz who are passionate about their role as environmental stewards.

Researchers, scientists, nonprofits, government organizations, local leaders, and community members in the Galápagos are working together to reduce plastic pollution, control invasive species, and restore natural habitats. And their efforts are making a tangible difference. Which makes me wonder: What can we, each of us, do to positively impact the world?

In writing Shipped, it was important to me to craft a character who felt as inspired by her experience in the Galápagos as I did, and for her to promote conservation within her own spheres. But we don’t necessarily all have to be Henley and launch a corporate-sponsored global conservation initiative in order to create real change. We all make choices every day, and even small choices can add up to making a big difference if enough people join in.

We can choose reusable straws, utensils, grocery bags, and water bottles over single-use plastic varieties. We can eat fewer servings of meat each week, especially beef and pork, and opt for sustainably caught seafood to lessen our impact on the ocean. We can choose to shop at eco-friendly businesses and support local producers. We can recycle, and we can take public transportation, bike, or walk whenever feasible instead of driving a car.

For those with the financial means and inclination, you might choose to make a monetary donation to your favorite charity or nonprofit. If after reading Shipped you happen to feel inspired to contribute to conservation efforts in the Galápagos, two organizations doing vital work are the Charles Darwin Foundation (www.darwinfoundation.org) and Galapagos Conservancy (www.galapagos.org), among others.

On a personal level, we can make a difference by choosing empathy over division. Listening over shouting. Thoughtfulness over self-interest. We can choose to look outside ourselves and act in ways that positively impact our neighbors, our communities, our environment, and the wider world.

My wish for you, reader, is that you find your own spark of inspiration that leads to a deeper connection with the planet. For me, it was traveling to the Galápagos. For you, it might be stepping outside, exploring your own backyard or local park, and letting the miracles of nature seep into your soul.

The world is a big, beautiful, complicated place, and I hope you discover your own slice of wonder in it.

Love to all,

Angie





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