For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Julie Kenny Banner Clarice & Robert H. Smith Director of Marketing and Education 540-687-6542 x25 jbanner@nationalsporting.org
National Sporting Library & Museum Presents Evening on the Galápagos Islands with Hugo Mogollón, President & CEO of Galápagos Conservancy
On the Shoulders of Giants: The Tortoise, Evolution, and the Future of Galápagos
MIDDLEBURG, VA — The National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) invites the public to an extraordinary evening presentation on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 5 to 7 pm. Featuring Hugo Mogollón, President and CEO of Galápagos Conservancy, the program will explore the remarkable story of the Galápagos Islands—told through the eyes of its most iconic residents, the giant tortoises.
After a cocktail reception, Mogollón will take audiences on a sweeping journey through one of the most storied ecosystems on Earth. From the archipelago’s pivotal role in the origins of evolutionary thought to the devastating impact of human arrival on its native species, the talk traces a story of loss, resilience, and ultimately, hope. At the center of it all are the giant tortoises—ancient wanderers whose fate has become inseparable from the future of conservation itself.
Mogollón will highlight the ongoing work of Galápagos Conservancy and its partners in achieving one of the most remarkable ecological recoveries in the natural world. Species once believed to be lost are returning and reshaping entire ecosystems, guided by science, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to the next century of conservation in the islands. “The Galápagos are a living laboratory for what’s possible when we commit to protecting the natural world,” said Mogollón. “The giant tortoises are not just survivors— they are ecosystem engineers, and their story is one of the great conservation triumphs of our time.”
This program is part of NSLM’s ongoing commitment to bringing the stories of conservation to audiences in the heart of Virginia. The evening promises to be as thought-provoking as it is inspiring, offering guests a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the leading voices in global conservation.
The event will be held at the National Sporting Library & Museum, 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg, Virginia. Doors open at 5 pm, with the presentation starting around at 5:30 pm.
Event Details
What: On the Shoulders of Giants: The Tortoise, Evolution, and the Future of Galápagos (cocktail reception followed by discussion)
Who: Hugo Mogollón, President & CEO, Galápagos Conservancy
When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 5– 7 pm
Where: National Sporting Library & Museum, 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg, VA 20117
Tickets/Registration: https://www.nationalsporting.org/index.php/nslm/event_details/1569/ NSLM Members: $10, Non-Members: $15
About Hugo Mogollón
Hugo Mogollón is the President and CEO of Galápagos Conservancy, the leading U.S.based non-profit dedicated to the conservation of the Galápagos Islands and their extraordinary biodiversity. Under his leadership, the organization has spearheaded landmark initiatives in species recovery, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable stewardship of the archipelago.
About Galápagos Conservancy
Galápagos Conservancy is the only U.S.-based organization exclusively dedicated to the long-term protection of the Galápagos Islands. Through science,collaboration, and community engagement, it works to ensure the islands remain one of the world’s greatest natural treasures for generations to come. Learn more at galapagos.org.
About the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM)
Founded in 1954, the NSLM is located in Middleburg, the heart of Virginia’s beautiful hunt country. The inviting, 6-acre campus, world-class research Library, and fine art Museum highlight the rich heritage and tradition of country pursuits. Angling, horsemanship, shooting, steeplechasing, foxhunting, flat racing, polo, coaching, and wildlife are among the subjects one can explore in the institution’s general stacks, rare book holdings, archives, and art collection. The NSLM offers a wide variety of educational programs, exhibitions, and family activities throughout the year.
The Library & Museum are open Thursday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. Library admission is free of charge.
Sporting Library & Museum | 102 The Plains Rd | PO Box 1335 | Middleburg, VA Email | Website
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