We created Letty to personify the Curve-Spined Lecocarpus (Darwin’s Lecocarpus), an endangered endemic flowering bush found only on San Cristóbal Island. Developed with local educators and artists, Letty stars in two of our illustrated children’s books: first as a young seedling searching for the perfect home, then as a determined teenager battling invasive species. Through magical realism and scientific illustration, Letty transforms a rare plant into a relatable character, helping young readers see all plants as living beings with vital roles in our shared ecosystem.

What began in 2024 as a school-vacation day camp, our “Adapting to Climate Change with Innovation, Optimism, and Nature” (ACCION) program empowers young changemakers ages 11–17 to become the next generation of Galápagos stewards. Through weekly hands-on workshops, community gardening, and eco-restoration projects, participants learn about climate resilience while actively restoring biodiversity in their home.

“Heroes de Hermandad” is our upcoming storybook where every character is named after and inspired by real scientists, researchers, and community leaders working in Galápagos. As part of our work centered on collective imagination, we invite children to discover the real individuals behind scientific discoveries and dream up the characters’ stories alongside us. When youth connect with these real-life heroes, they become invested in protecting conservation work and the islands they love.

This was our flagship project during the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed us to team up with teachers to create innovative materials and lesson plans that parents could implement at home with their children. After the pandemic, we continued mentoring teachers and finalized the project in 2024, with 90% of partner teachers continuing to garden with their students.