The new ecological, social, political and legal scenario today is far from the scenario that dominated in Galapagos in 1996, when its predecessor was published. There have also been important conceptual and methodological advances in modern management of protected natural areas.

The PM has a timeless character, being a living document that promotes an "adaptive management" of the protected area, backed by a Monitoring and Evaluation System based on performance and impact indicators, which allow for adjustments in the logical framework for response to changes that may occur during and as a result of its implementation.

The management plan is finalized with a comprehensive proposal for implementation and development, graphically detailing the organizational structure and the various stages and responsibilities for the proper implementation of the Management Programs through annual operational plans of the institution. The document also includes an analysis of current and potential funding available to the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park and other institutions of the Province to enable the development of the Plan.

The Galapagos National Park Management Plan (PDF 8.1 MB)

ADOPTION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ~ 1 ~ INTRODUCTION ~ 2 ~ THE GALAPAGOS AS A GEOGRAPHICAL FACT AND A JURISDICTIONAL ENTITY ~ 3 ~ HOW HAS THE MANAGEMENT PLAN BEEN PREPARED: THE PARTICIPATORY PROCESS AND THE LOGICAL FRAMEWORK APPROACH IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANAGEMENT PLAN ~ 4 ~ SCOPE OF THE PLAN: GALAPAGOS AS AN ECO-REGION AND A SOCIOL-ECOSYSTEM ~ 5 ~ CURRENT SITUATION AND DIAGNOSIS OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NATURAL SYSTEMS IN GALAPAGOS -~ 6 ~ THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK  OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN ~ 7 ~ VISION AND BASIC GOALS OF THE PLAN ~ 8 ~ PRINCIPLE GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS OF GALAPAGOS ~ 9 ~ ZONING FOR LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK ~ 10 ~ ACTION STRATEGY: MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS BASIC OBJETIVES 1 Program 1.1. Conservation and restoration of eco-diversity, bio-diversity and geo-diversity of Galapagos Program 1.2. Eco-regional monitoring of ecosystems and bio-diversity BASIC OBJETIVES 2 Program 2.1. Wise use of goods and services of the Galapagos island ecosystems Program 2.2. Maintenance of environmental quality Program 2.3. Encourage sustainable public use and tourism Program 2.4. Conservation and sustainable development in the agricultural zone Program 2.5. Strengthen the inter-institutional coordination and cooperation capacity Incorporate the conservation policies developed by the GNP for its territorial model, which sets the Regional Plan, thus integrating horizontally with other regional policies. Ensure the conservation of ecological integrity and biodiversity of marine and island ecosystems of the Galapagos.

BASIC OBJETIVES 3 Improve and unite the management capacity of the GNP giving it the resources it needs, strengthening its principles, criteria and guidelines for effective management and enhancing and improving its evaluation procedure for the efficiency of management Program 3.1. Strengthening the policy and regulatory framework Program 3.2. Organizational development of the Galapagos National Park Program 3.3. Environmental Information Management BASIC OBJETIVES  4 Introduction: Communication Strategy, Environmental Education and Interpretation and Participation Program 4.1. Environmental Education and Interpretation Program 4.2. Participation, social integration and  island identity  Program 4.3. Communication and public relations BASIC OBJETIVES 5 Program 5.1. Interdisciplinary research and technological innovation BASIC OBJETIVES  6 Program 6.1. Relations and cooperation ~ 11 ~ MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF THE PLAN ~ 12 ~ SOURCES OF FUNDING ~ 13 ~ GENERAL DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN ~ 14 ~ STATUS AND REVIEW OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN ~ 15 ~ REFERENCES ~ 16 ~ ANNEX Promote national and international cooperation for the exchange of experiences and to support compliance with international commitments of the Ecuadorian State relating to the conservation of protected areas and biodiversity of Ecuador. Increase interdisciplinary scientific and technical knowledge, applied to the management of natural and socioeconomic systems in the Galapagos Archipelago. To achieve greater public support from the Galapagos people towards the management performed by the GNP, spreading the socio-economic importance of conserving nature, promoting participatory management models and capitalizing on opportunities offered by protected areas for environmental education and interpretation and nature tourism.