It is a sobering thought that the research station set up by the Charles Darwin Foundation in 1964 to preserve and protect the Galapagos Islands faced an uncertain future only a few years ago. But, thanks to the intervention of a German investor, Swen Lorenz, and a major partnership with IWC Schaffhausen, the organisation has been turned around and is going from strength to strength.
The Research Station, which is home to around a hundred scientists, students, teachers and volunteers, has helped prevent the extinction of the islands’ legendary giant tortoises and preserved 95 per cent of the astonishing biodiversity that Charles Darwin discovered when he first set foot there on 15th September 1835.
Watchmaker IWC also celebrates a more modest anniversary, having supported the Charles Darwin Foundation since 2009, as part of the brand’s philanthropic activities. For the 50th anniversary of the Research Station, IWC has introduced three special chronographs dedicated to this cause as part of its revamp of the Aquatimer collection this year: The “Galapagos Islands” edition, the “50 Years Science for Galapagos Edition” and the “Expedition Charles Darwin” edition, which features the brand’s first case made out of bronze.
IWC is now one of the most important benefactors of the Charles Darwin foundation and its annual contribution has allowed various projects to be implemented, such as a new shark tagging project that will start in July 2014. “Through its funding, IWC is a driving force for our Galapagos Shark Research and Conservation Project. The research helps us to understand more about the movement and migration patterns of these creatures both within and outside the Galapagos Marine Reserve, information which will help us implement measures to protect them,” says Swen Lorenz, CEO of the Charles Darwin Foundation.
