J-school students launch documentary multimedia Web site about the Galapagos Islands
Students in the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media have released the first in-depth multimedia project on the Web examining the impact of man in the Galapagos Islands.
For all of the attention that Charles Darwin brought to the Galapagos Islands, most people know surprisingly little about them. Since Darwin’s writings 200 years ago, the people of Galápagos - both residents and tourists - have fundamentally changed the natural habitat of the formerly pristine archipelago.
The site's debut follows a month-long foreign reporting assignment in which 21 journalism students, one faculty member, and four professional journalists traveled to this unique ecosystem in summer 2009 to explore the impact that humans have had on the Galapagos. They witnessed conservation, natural beauty and a welcoming culture. They also saw a host of environmental and cultural issues that leave the Galapagos Islands at a tipping point.
The students, guided by the faculty and professionals, used photos, audio, video, 360 degree panoramic photos, information graphics and design to examine the various environmental and cultural issues that have arisen in the Galapagos. The stories include themes ranging from invasive species and illegal fishing to surfing and the tourism industry. The stories of the people and their islands make up Living Galapagos, a documentary multimedia project that examines the battle for balance between man and nature.