A remote chain of volcanic islands that helped shape modern science will take center stage in Canandaigua next month, as a Finger Lakes Community College professor shares firsthand stories from one of the world’s most studied ecosystems.
John Bateman, associate professor of environmental conservation and horticulture at Finger Lakes Community College, will present a public talk on his recent trip to the Galápagos Islands on Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m. on the college’s main campus.
Titled “What the Islands Teach You: Reflections from the Galápagos,” the presentation will be held in Stage 14 on the second floor of the Student Center at 3325 Marvin Sands Drive. The event is free and open to the public.
Bateman’s presentation will blend natural history with personal reflection, drawing from a March visit to the island chain off the coast of Ecuador. The Galápagos, best known for inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, are home to species found nowhere else on Earth, from giant tortoises to blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas.
“The Galápagos is one of those places many people have heard of, but few will ever experience,” Bateman said, noting the trip offered both scientific insight and personal growth through solo travel and immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment.
The talk will explore broader themes beyond biology, including curiosity, adaptation and the value of stepping outside familiar routines. Bateman said those experiences can foster independence and a deeper connection to the natural world.
The trip also served a practical purpose for the college. Bateman described it as a scouting visit for a potential future course focused on unique ecological communities. Similar FLCC programs have previously taken students to Costa Rica, the Florida Everglades and South Africa.
Bateman encouraged high school juniors and seniors, as well as current college students interested in biology or study abroad opportunities, to attend. Community members are also invited to learn more about the islands and the college’s travel-based coursework, which is often open to alumni and local residents.
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