The CDRS External Relations group is in charge of providing information, well before the arrival of the film-makers, about the CDF and its programs and about the Islands in general. Once in the Islands, the film-makers are given logistical support, interviews, and technical and scientific information. The CDF considers the visits by these teams important since their productions can reach a sizeable public and thus increase local and worldwide concern for the conservation of these islands. This documentary is the story of how a small finch arrived at the barren islands and evolved to form a fascinating group of birds that inspired Darwin's theory of natural selection. The Parers also made the documentary The Dragons of Galapagos, which premiered in 1998 and won the WWF Golden Panda, one of the most prestigious awards given for wildlife documentaries.
Dragons tells of the incredible fight for survival of land and marine iguanas in Galapagos.
In this documentary, narrator Alan Alda visited Galapagos to find the trusting creatures that inspired the theories of Darwin. Alda accompanied scientists from the CDRS during their work to learn about and conserve the fragile ecosystems of Galapagos. This film is a continuation of the field trip Frontiers made in December 1998. The producers interviewed and filmed CDRS personnel in the field. The North American schools maintained daily contact with the expedition team and ended with a live webcasting in which CDRS scientists answered students' questions that had arisen during the expedition.