The aim of an environmental outreach spearheaded by Iwokrama was to educate students about career opportunities that are available in the exciting field of conservation and also moving Guyana towards green development. The schools that were targeted were St Rose’s and St Cuthbert’s Mission (Pakuri Village).
Iwokrama representatives, with support from likeminded partners, were able to interacte with over 200 students and their teachers sharing information on Iwokrama’s work in conservation, research and business development. The participants viewed videos and presentations on protected areas, climate change and the importance of taking care of the environment. Iwokrama staffer, Vanessa Benn emphasized the harmful effects of littering and the need to carefully manage resources including energy.
Some of the youths who were exposed to the career outreach.
Also on board were partners including the Guyana Society for Biodiversity and Ecosystems (GSBE), a local non-governmental organization whose mission is to promote the conservation of Guyana’s biological diversity, and the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) which represents the interests of the 20 communities of the North Rupununi and implements projects for the benefit of its people.
Discussions also focused on how communities like St Cuthbert’s can benefit from sustainable logging and eco-tourism using the examples of Iwokrama’s logging and tourism businesses. Lakeram Haynes, Village leader of Kwamang Village and NRDDB representative also spoke about community development in North Rupunuuni including community tourism and showed them presentations on the Rewa and Surama eco-lodges in the North Rupununi.