Ms Cristina Antoniolli
Reflections from the 2008 Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galápagos Islands
To a young, impressionable 7-year old girl, dreaming about the Galapagos Islands, I imagined far away islands teaming with strange and exotic creatures. When I first read about Charles Darwin and his travels to the Galapagos Islands, I remember thinking to myself that someday I wanted to trace his footsteps on the same magical soil. When the Toyota International Teacher Program announced its trip, I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to finally visit the islands and who better with than a group of professionals equally adventurous and passionate about the environment. What I thought was going to be time spent learning about flora and fauna became so much more. It turned out to be the experience of a lifetime and has left an indelible mark on me forever. I find that the images of the animals, the land, and the people that I carefully tucked away in my mind and heart, sneak into my consciousness during every moment of the day. Tears well up now, but for much different reasons than they did back in July when I first learned that I was selected to be part of such a prestigious group. The images below reflect some of that sentiment.
Every day, I can’t help but think about life back there. Every day, hundreds of people disembark gasoline-powered zodiacs and trek their way around the natural and beautiful environment that belongs to the peaceful and serene animals of the islands. Now that the Galapagueños have experienced the modern conveniences of internet, cell phones, and the countless amenities that come with tourism, how can they possibly go back to a time that was simpler and more in harmony with nature? Even while on the islands, I began to have guilt-riddled feelings about stepping on their (the animals’) ground. I remember one afternoon, while on Flour Beach on Floreana Island, putting away my camera and deciding not to be a tourist any longer, but instead a quiet observer. Symbolically, I tried to walk on the wet sand as gingerly as possible to see if I could tread without leaving a footprint of any type and found it was not entirely possible.
Let’s face it, Ecotourism has come to the islands and the plants and animals are no longer safe. As careful as visitors may be, water bottles and debris fall from their pockets and litter the landscape. Sleeping animals are awakened and angry mothers are disturbed by the nearness of onlookers to their brood. According to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Ecotourism is defined as “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” I ponder how Ecotourism can be successful when the word itself seems to be an oxymoron of sorts. I don’t wish to go on a tirade against the industry, especially since it gave me access to one of the places of my dreams. As an educator, I ask my kids to try to take on a different perspective and to pose solutions to problems we face; so, how can we make Ecotourism work? And then it came to me… the biggest impression that this trip made on me was the importance of education. Let me say it again, especially when this is something that I choose to do everyday, educate young people. It is a choice I made after practicing engineering for eight years and I didn’t really realize the impact I make on kids and how important my job is until Toyota showed me that through their generous show of support and care during our trip.
After working with our Galapagueño teacher, Miguel, and trying to understand his perspective through Emily’s translation, I began to feel his passion about the environment. As we talked about lessons that we could all bring back to our classrooms, his face lit up when we began to craft activities that the kids could actually do and subsequently “feel” their impact on water resources in the their surroundings and on a larger global scale. He teaches elementary school aged children and feels that educating young people about stewardship is paramount to the survival of the Galapagos Islands. While we worked together and presented our lesson plan, I began to really see and feel the importance and impact that I can have on my students and my own children. All it takes is one individual to impart or impress their love and passion and inspire you to change. My mother did it for me. Perhaps that is the biggest tenant of Ecotourism, to educate tourists and raise their sensitivity about environmental issues so that they can take ideas back home with them and share them with others. Perhaps if Ecotourism is held to the strict standards of minimizing impact, building environmental and cultural awareness and respect, and raise compassion, the Galapagos Islands and other endangered and sensitive ecosystems may be able to be saved for future generations. I can’t imagine a person leaving the Galapagos Islands not changed forever by their pristine beauty and unspoiled landscape. Furthermore, I can’t imagine a person leaving and not wanting to change their behaviors locally to help the cause globally. We can all be stewards or even better champions of the planet; all it takes is some knowhow, some passion, and a vision. Thank you Toyota and IIE.