This story was inspired by the Storyfest trip with Planet Forward and Lindblad Expeditions to the Galápagos Islands, aboard the National Geographic Endeavor II. While in the Galapágos, I had the life changing experience of swimming with some of the most diverse, healthy marine wildlife (including schools of beautiful tropical and migratory fish, playful sea lions, diving penguins, numerous sea turtles, sharks, squid, and rays). All of this would not have been possible without the marine protection laws that keep the underwater ecosystem of the Galapágos pristine.

Click below to learn more about the past, present, and future of marine protection in the Galápagos.