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.