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Lindblad Expeditions (LEX) has long believed in the importance of supporting the local communities we visit with our guests. One way we've chosen to give back to the regions in which we travel is through the support of local micro-enterprise initiatives. Below are brief descriptions of some of the community development projects currently underway.
 Galapagos Reflections
In 2007, Lindblad Expeditions established a foundation in Ecuador, FUDECA (Fundación de Artesanos Ecuatorianos), with the goal of supporting the development of skilled artisans. LEX founded Reflections, a local gallery in Galapagos, designed to promote traditional craft production in the region and to generate economic growth at the local level. Reflections, established as a non-profit organization, aims to create enterprise opportunities for local artisans living on the Galapagos Islands who are interested in making and selling artisanal products to the growing tourism sector. Read more
Through assistance with product creation and design, as well as a local shop to display products, LEX hopes to encourage more local artisans to take part in this Galapagos Islands initiative. All profits are funneled back into the community to support additional training and development of local artisans.
 Glass Recycling Project
Launched in 2008, the Glass Recycling Project is based in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos. This project seeks to reuse glass waste by transforming it into jewelry and art object (which will be sold to the local tourist market); and glassware (which we envision selling to local restaurants and hotels). Lindblad Expeditions is working with master glassmaker, John Gilvey, the founder of Hudson Beach Glass in Beacon, NY on this project. Read more
In January 2008, the first groups of artisans were trained in glass handling. From these training sessions the jewelry and other art objects have been created. Another training on glass techniques will be held for artisans in spring/summer 2008.
 Fund For Local Conservation Action (FALC)
Lindblad established the Fund for Local Conservation Action (FALC) to provide small grants for locally initiated conservation-oriented projects from small enterprises in Galapagos. Grants range in size from $100 to $2000, and the number of grants depends on the size of the fund each year. The idea behind FALC is to encourage those who live in the Galapagos to become involved in the conservation of their home islands. In the last several years, more than $150,000 has been given to FALC projects with an emphasis on micro-enterprise to support projects such as recycling of motor oil and tires, fishermen wives' cooperatives and tortoise care. Read more
A few spotlight FALC Grant Projects follow here:
- Alternative Jobs for Fishermen (Santa Cruz and San Cristobal)
One of the first FALC recipients was a fisherman who started an oil recovery and disposal project in Santa Cruz. The project involves both land and maritime transportation, and collects used oils from fishermen, tour operators and even the local electricity plant. This story highlights fishermen who not only found alternative employment to fishing, but also work toward the conservation of Galapagos waters.
- Raising Chickens Locally (Floreana)
The island of Floreana is inhabited by a small community of just over 60 inhabitants, most of whom belong to the local Floreana Agriculture Centre, which used FALC funds to buy an incubator with a capacity for about 100 eggs. This will enable local farmers to improve their livelihood, raising larger numbers of free-range chickens. It will also play an important role in the preservation of Galapagos by drastically reducing the need to import fowl from the mainland of Ecuador or other islands.
- Fishermen Wives’ Cooperatives (Isabela)
The island of Isabela has a population of about 3,000-4,000 people, whose main livelihood is fishing. The FALC project has been able to play a small role in finding livelihood alternatives for the “Isabeleños” by supporting small cooperatives set up by the wives of fishermen making Galapagos soft toys and souvenirs, and producing smoked fish products. In 2006, one of the cooperatives, Pescado Azul, received the United Nations Development Program Equator Award for their work.
 For more information on any of these programs, contact us.
Learn more about ourother initatives:
 Climate Action
Donations
Education
Sustainable Cuisine
Travel Philanthropy |
