ReWilding Floreana Together

This project engages the Floreana Island community in the ecological restoration of their island through citizen science. It focuses on the removal of invasive rodents and feral cats and the reintroduction of 12 locally extinct species between 2026 and 2030. Local citizens and international visitors will record sightings and behaviours of 24 species using a mobile app, contributing data with GPS coordinates and ecological context. Workshops and on-site training will support participatory science, allowing citizens to co-design research tools, monitor species, and disseminate findings. This approach enhances scientific data quality, fosters environmental stewardship, and promotes local education and tourism. The project integrates local stakeholders, schools, park authorities, and international conservation partners, ensuring long-term collaboration and community ownership of conservation efforts. Ethical safeguards, informed consent, and GDPR-compliant data handling are prioritized. By combining research and public engagement, the project strengthens the connection between science and society, empowers the community as environmental stewards, and contributes to the sustainable restoration of Floreana Islands ecosystems.