What We Do
A Unique Conservation Approach
The Global Penguin Society (GPS) is the first and only international organization dedicated exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 18 penguin species and their habitats.
GPS improves scientific knowledge on critical aspects of the biology and ecology of penguin
species in order to guide conservation actions.
Fostering a “conservation culture” is our educational goal. By raising awareness about
penguins, we both involve and empower local communities and reach decision makers.
GPS works closely with government, community officials and landowners to create effective
conservation policies to benefit not only penguins, but their entire local ecosystems and
nearby communities.
Success to date
2009
GPS is founded by Pablo Garcia Borboroglu through his Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation,
after recognizing the need to integrate conservation and research efforts globally.
2010
Pablo receives the Whitley Award, which is instrumental to strengthen and expand Global Penguin
Society.
2011
GPS obtains a Wildlife Refuge designation for “El Pedral”, a small Magellanic penguin colony in
Argentina that GPS discovered in 2008. With this designation, GPS secures the habitat for this
penguin colony, allowing it to grow from 6 to 2,600 nests.
2012
GPS publishes our famous poster “Penguins of the World”, increasing visibility and awareness of
penguin conservation status.
2013
We publish the book: “Penguins: Natural History and Conservation”, involving 49 authors from 12
countries. It is recognized as a University of Washington Press best seller.
2014
GPS helps establish the IUCN SSC Penguin Specialist Group, co-chaired by Dr. Pablo García
Borboroglu and Dr. Dee Boersma. The group includes 52 penguin experts; it impacts critical
global conservation issues, influences international and national policy, and helps to assess
all penguin species’ conservation status.
2015
GPS spearheads the creation of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Blue Patagonia”. This is the
largest of this kind in Argentina (around 8 million acres, roughly the size of Belgium) and has
the highest biodiversity in Argentina. Blue Patagonia protects 20 penguin colonies and 700
marine and terrestrial species.
2015
We join the United Nations Ocean Sanctuary Alliance Scientific Panel to help justify
scientifically the need to increase ocean conservation. The goal was to include ocean protection
as a Sustainable Development Goal in the UN Agenda 2030; this was accomplished when 193
countries approved the agenda.
2015
We publish our Educational Booklet “Mensajeros del Mar” (Messengers of the Sea), distributed for
free in five Spanish-speaking countries.
2016
GPS catalyzes the creation of the 250,000 acres Punta Tombo Marine Protected Area in Patagonia
Argentina. Punta Tombo protects the feeding area of over half a million penguins, including one
of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in the planet.
2016
The Spanish version of the Book “Pinguinos: Historia Natural y Conservación” is awarded as the
Best Book edited in Argentina by the Chamber of Publications.
2016
GPS is incorporated as one of the first marine partners of Wildlife Conservation Network.
2017
6,000 students participate in our school trips to visit penguin colonies and meet penguins for
the first time. Thousands of kids benefit from the books GPS donated to their schools.
2018
Our work is recognized by the WHITLEY GOLD AWARD and the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Buffett Award for
Leadership in Conservation presented to Dr. García Borboroglu.
2019
We received the ROLEX AWARD for ENTERPRISE to move forward our global conservation mission.
2019
We partnered with Disneynature in the launching and promotion tour of their movie "PENGUINS",
sharing our conservation message to a massive global audience.
2020
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, National Geographic and Disney Conservation Fund
featured our project in a compelling and inspiring video.
Impact by Numbers
40000
Educational books distributed globally for free.
13000
Children participated in our educational program.
Over
20
tons of plastic waste collected through beach cleanups in penguin colonies since 2008, with thousands of local community volunteers.