Iwokrama International Center for Rain Forest Conservation and Development
Region
Americas
Country
Guyana
Flyway
Americas flyway
Initiative
WLI Americas
Iwokrama Cabins
About
Name of organisation
Iwokrama International Center for Rain Forest Conservation and Development
Funding support
Various, Norad, EU at the moment, self generation via business
Number of staff
33
Number of visitors per year
1000+
Overall aims of the centre
To promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rain forests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general, by undertaking research, training, and the development and dissemination of technologies.
Description of the centre
71,000 hectares ( nearly 1 million acres), over 1000 visitors annually (tourists, students, project related), Central Guyana, over 1200 species of plants, 471 bird species, 142 mammals, 81 species reptiles, Amphibians 56 species, Fish 134 species. Iwokrama also has unique partnershop with 16 Indigenous communities (Macushi) and we work via the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) where all the village leaders are a part of. Iwokrama has a Collaborative Management Agreement with the NRDDB which also ensures that the communties have a say about the mangement of the Iwokrama Forest
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
Iwokrama is considered part of the North Rupununi Wetland which
Canopy walkway
is hugely important as the Rupununi Savannahs flood annually and there is mixing of the Guianan sheild and amazonian ecosystems making the area very diverse in fauna especially birds and fish. A big part of iwokrama is capacity building – via Wildlife clubs, Ranger Training, Tour Guide /Tourism Training, Collaborative Natural Resource Mangement etc
Top three successes
1. Capacity building with communities via our wildlife clubs and training programmes including on the job training. We have seen our training translated into conservation leadership where these kids are now playing active roles in projects including as project managers, researchers, film making etc.
2. Several staff of Iwokrama have become leaders of their villages and also are on Village Counsels.
3.Testing models in business development in a bid to become self sufficient for core activities
Top three challenges
Less successful projects always have good lessons. Projects are often more successful if it comes from the people and they are part of the development. It is also more likely to be successful if they are also part of the management structure of project implementation.
To see a map of the Centre, please click here.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage; site information; Producing written materials; Using audio-visual tools
Visitor centres
Setting up a new visitor centre; Running a visitor centre
Participation
Engaging young people; Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Early years education; Delivering adult education; Working with primary schools; Working with secondary schools
General
Running effective administration; Health and safety; Fund-raising
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