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
32000000
Acres of marine and coastal areas protected
7500
Kids who have visited penguin colonies through our educational program to date
10000
Educational books distributed for free in 5 Spanish speaking countries
2400000
Penguins benefited by improved management and implementation