University of North Carolina Center for Galapagos Studies, Strategy Consulting Project

Abstract

In 2011, UNC partnered with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito to establish the Galapagos Science Center on San Cristobal Island. The Galapagos Science Center is the only institution of its kind in the Galapagos, and it is a nexus for a wide range of research topics, including iconic and invasive species, food/water security, marine ecology, oceanography, and public health. A key challenge for the CGS is that it has a diverse group of stakeholders, ranging from the North Carolina taxpayer to the local Galapagos community. However, the remote nature of the facility has made it difficult for the CGS to maintain the same high-touch relationship with its North Carolina stakeholders as it does with its Ecuadorian stakeholders. As a result, the CGS does not have sufficient Chapel Hill-based champions and advocates. In coming up with our recommendations and developing our surveys, we sought address the needs of several North Carolina stakeholder groups.