A FUNCTIONING model of how large-scale conservation can be carried out without infringing economic development is my basic understanding of what this outstanding establishment is all about. “To become the leading international authority on development of models for commercially sustainable, practical, and community-inclusive conservation businesses, based on tropical forests and their natural assets;” this has been the active vision of this uniquely remarkable organisation from its inception in 1996.

In response to the 1992 Rio Agenda on Forests, Biodiversity and Climate Change, the Government of Guyana, in collaboration with the Commonwealth, set aside 371 000 hectares of intact rainforest and adjacent North Rupununi Wetlands to establish what is now commonly referred to as Iwokrama.

In keeping with this context, Iwokrama is considered the Commonwealth’s flagship environmental programme.
The Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development is one of the worlds most ecologically diverse and species-rich areas in the world, being home to intact populations of some of the world’s most endangered mega fauna, including the Jaguar, Harpy Eagle, Giant Anteater, Giant River Otter, Arapaima, Anaconda, Black Caiman, Giant River Turtle and the Bushmaster.

It is an important part of one of the last remaining intact tropical forest ecosystems in the world: The Guiana Shield. This area is also the ancestral home of the Makushi People who continue to inhabit and sustainably utilize forest and wetland resources from this area.

Iwokrama uses a unique approach to conservation, which globally distinguishes it. Putting the Amerindian communities first, researching and developing ways to sustainably utilize forest resources to generate income, while conserving and maintaining the environment; and essentially becoming economically independent are the main objectives of this remarkable organisation.

In addition to conservation, there are a multitude of areas, such as eco-tourism, training and timber harvesting on which it can offer its firsthand expertise.
In an endeavour to become self-sufficient, Iwokrama has staked its claim on ecotourism. Establishing tourist cabins, a breathtaking, state-of-the-art canopy walkway, trail expeditions and tours along the river to Turtle Mountain and Turu Falls, Iwokrama has carved itself a niche in the marketable eco and adventure tourist industry.

Since conceptualisation, sustainable timber production has been Iwokrama’s primary focus. Limited to an annual harvest of 20 000m3, harvesting stringently adheres to the Forest Steward Council (FSC)
certification standards. Harvesting is only done in specific pockets of forest, in order to study, compare and contrast the impact of sustainable forestry on the environment. Even with these regulations, only 29 percent of the forest is dedicated to this operation, using a harvestable cycle of 60 years.

Its community outreach initiative is what distinguishes Iwokrama amongst international conservation establishments. Recognising the Amerindian’s rights to the land occupied, the 16 communities that are located in and around Iwokrama enjoy benefits such as sharing in Iwokrama’s timber industry, being given priority for employment, various education and awareness projects and Iwokrama’s marketing of the non-timber forest products produced by the respective communities.

An acknowledged leader in the development of mechanisms for equitable, community-based tropical rainforest management involving sustainable commercial enterprises, Iwokrama disseminates its knowledge and expertise through its training services. With a well-established reputation in training, courses in Rangering, Tour Guiding and Collaborative Natural Resource Management are some of the programmes being offered.
Ongoing research in areas such as Climate and Hydrology Monitoring, Forest Management, Carbon Sequestration, Watershed Management, Habitat and Biodiversity Conservation, Alternative Business Development and documentation of this research and findings makes Iwokrama an indicative and functioning model of productive conservation. 

This diverse, firsthand knowledge makes Iwokrama one of the world’s forerunners in Conservation and Sustainable Forest Management.

“The rainforests in general are quite poorly understood,” says Dr. Isabella Bovolo, Iwokrama’s resident scientist. “The idea is to learn more about the whole earth system, and to establish a baseline for future research,” she said, adding: “In other words, we need to understand what has happened in the past to understand what might happen in the future. This is just the start of Iwokrama’s new long-term research plan, and it has the potential to yield some very important and exciting outcomes. In particular, we hope to show the rest of the world how tropical forests can be both conserved and used sustainably to provide economic benefits to local communities.”
Dr. Bovolo concludes that there is a long way to go.