From science to safety, GALAPAGOS CELEBRATES THREE TSUNAMI READY - UNESCO

A pair of Galapagos marine iguanas soak up the sun on Marchena Island in the Galapagos Archipelago. Photo by Juan José Alava. The only lizard in the world that can live and forage at sea may now be in a fight for survival. International scientists warn black-market trafficking of Galapagos marine iguanas is peaking just as the Super El Niño decimates their natural food source.

Extreme events, such as this South Australian algal bloom that lasted from 2025 to 2026, have devastating effects on marine ecosystems. The only lizard in the world that can live and forage at sea may now be in a fight for survival. International scientists warn black-market trafficking of Galapagos marine iguanas is peaking just as the super El Niño decimates their natural food source. The 2026/27 El Niño event started warming equatorial waters in May, the same month Ecuadorian officials discovered four Galapagos iguanas being kept in a home near Guayaquil. Shortly after, they found a dozen more at a nearby airport, stuffed in handbags with their limbs bound.

University of Vermont students will share these experiential science, technology, engineering and math activities with local youth on Nov. 7. Vermont students grades 3-9 who are (or who could be!) excited by science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can now sign up for the Fall 2026 STEM Showcase at the University of Vermont campus. It's scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.