I recently returned from the Galápagos Islands, a place that embodies the spirit of possibility—one of the ColoradoSPH core values. Known for its extraordinary biodiversity and the pivotal role it played in shaping Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Galápagos are also a living lesson in how human collaboration can turn bold ideas into lasting impact. What struck me most was what these islands reveal about human collaboration—and not just hope, but how to make what may seem impossible into a reality.
Located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the islands are a volcanic archipelago now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Managed by the Ecuadorian government, the Galápagos have become a global model of how environmental preservation and sustainability can work in concert with economic opportunity. Through carefully regulated tourism, research, education, and community partnerships, they show what’s possible when people work together to protect both ecosystems and livelihoods.
The path to creating the Galapagos to what it is today hasn’t been smooth. At the Charles Darwin Research Station, I learned that local communities initially resisted conservation efforts. They resented outside interference, worried about their future, and didn’t trust what they were being told. They were concerned that their livelihood was threatened by what the “outsiders” (the conservationists) thought was the “right” course of action for the Galapagos. It’s a familiar story: positive change often starts with tension and skepticism and takes a few steps backward before progress is made.
Eventually, the researchers took a new approach. They hired and trained locals, listened to what they valued, worked to ease concerns, and demonstrated how conservation could support economic opportunity. They focused on protecting the environment and supporting local families. It worked. The islands are thriving not just because of science, but because of shared commitment to what makes these precious lands so magnificent. But what this visit and learning opportunity showed me is that possibility doesn’t emerge from one’s own ideal conditions. Rather, it grows out of shared commitment, practical action, and a belief that progress is still possible.
The Galápagos are, in fact, thriving. I swam with a sea lion who decided my flipper was a toy and nearly swam off with it. I hiked across the rim of a volcanic crater. I even swam near a shark—though that part was less intentional. My guides, two brothers raised by a naturalist father, were brilliant and hilarious. They made history, evolution, and ecology feel alive. They also reminded me that humor and storytelling are powerful ways to teach and inspire. This is something we need to do more of in public health.
The experience also reminded me why our work in public health matters. This is a time of immense pressure. Policies and politics are affecting everything from air quality to food systems, and communities everywhere are facing the health effects of environmental degradation. And yet, the Galápagos showed me that solutions do not require perfection. They require a willingness to try a different path.
I like knowing there’s a place in the Pacific where sea lions still play, where nearly extinct species have a second chance, and where not a single piece of plastic washes up on shore. It’s not easy to keep it that way, but it is possible.
At Colorado School of Public Health, we know the work that is needed will be hard and the payoffs rewarding. We see possibilities in our students who are passionate about climate and health. We see it in communities that turn data into clean air and safe drinking water. We see it in the partnerships that connect researchers with communities focused on solutions, and in faculty whose work is advancing sustainable, science-driven solutions.
The Galápagos are thriving because people imagined a different future—and did the hard work to make it real. So can we.
That’s the spirit of possibility.