Galapagos National Park

In 1959, the Ecuadorian government set aside 1,714,000 acres (693,700 ha), 90% of the Galapagos Islands as a National Park. All the lands not already included in the settlement areas were designated and incorporated into the park. In 1967 a park service was set up in the islands and 5 years later the first park superintendent arrived.

The Galapagos National Park Service works hand in hand with the Charles Darwin Research Station implementing their common goals of conservation and preservations of the natural resources with the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve. The park service approves all itineraries of boats visiting the islands making sure that the tourism is distributed evenly throughout the islands. They also work as the licensing board for guides in the islands.

Park rules and regulations have been developed in an effort to protect the area resources. Rather than patrol boats for enforcement, the park utilizes certified guide who accompanies all visitors enforcing rules through education.

Park authorities collect an entrance fee from all park visitors, allowing access into the park and marine reserve. Unfortunately this money does not benefit the park itself, but instead goes to the general fund of the Ecuadorian Government.