FOR decades, prior to 2011 and the establishment of the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) and the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), significant efforts were afoot to conserve Guyana’s biodiversity and support its associated local and indigenous livelihoods. During those years, focus was on the proposed protected area sites: Shell Beach and Kanuku Mountains, and the existing Kaieteur National Park (KNP). In the absence of an organisation like the PAC, planning for new sites was undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency as the entity with overall national responsibility for the Environment, hence their oversight of all initiatives and projects implemented prior to the establishment of the NPAS and the PAC.
While the wheels for the establishment of the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) started turning around 1999 and spun faster in 2002 when the EPA developed the first NPAS strategy, progress during the early years was dependent mainly on key partnerships that helped to sustain momentum. In this week’s article, we will feature some of these key partners who were instrumental in the preparatory journey to establishment of the NPAS and beyond and with whom we continue to share an excellent working relationship. While our partners are many, we would like to make special mention of the contributions of: the German Development Bank (KfW), Conservation International- Guyana (CI-G), World Wildlife Fund- Guianas (WWF), and Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS).

German Development Bank (KfW)

KfW’s (German Development Bank) support for protected areas development and management in Guyana is historic, and to date the bank has been our largest financial partner. The first Project: Guyana Protected Areas System (GPAS) Phase I, implemented from 2006 – 2011, involved small grants for livelihood projects for Shell Beach Protected Area (SBPA) , Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA) and Kaieteur National Park (KNP) stakeholder communities. Projects included guesthouses in Santa Rosa and Moco-Moco, cattle ranching in Katoka; construction of the Visitor Arrival Centre and Tukeit wardens’ quarters at KNP, and a craft project in Chenapau. The delineation process for KMPA boundaries was also funded.
The GPAS Phase II project (implemented in 2011-2015) supported development of the protected areas legislation and after the Protected Areas Act was passed in 2011, funded infrastructure and capital investments for the newly established PAC and Protected Areas Trust Fund (PATF) respectively. Additionally, funding was provided for development of the Shell Beach Protected Area (SBPA) management plan. In 2016, KfW renewed their commitment to Guyana by signing an agreement for GPAS III. Running until 2022, the project consists of three components: infrastructure and equipment, sustainable resources use, and capacity building for SBPA, KMPA and KNP.
Conservation International- Guyana (CI-G)

CI-Guyana also has a long history of supporting conservation efforts in Guyana, more so the Rupununi Region. In respect to protected areas management, CI has since around 2000, conducted significant preparatory work for the declaration of Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA). Under the general oversight of the EPA, they led extensive community consultations and resource use mapping with 18 communities, and coordinated in 2006, the creation of the still existing Kanuku Mountains Community Representative Group (KMCRG). In 2007, under the GPAS Phase II project previously mentioned, CI executed a subproject to identify proposed boundaries for the soon-to-be-established KMPA. In these formative years, CI’s solid ground work with the Kanashen Community Owned Conservation Area (KCOCA) also culminated in 2017 with Knashen being declared as Guyana’s first Amerindian Protected Area under the Protected Areas Act. After the establishment of the PAC, CI continued to support protected areas management through inclusion of our staff in capacity initiatives and projects. Of significance, is a grant for preparatory work towards expanding the national protected areas system, a key part of the commission’s mandate. Under this grant, PAC developed a draft expansion strategy and road map for 10 priority sites that were identified, because of their biological value, for potential protection.

World Wildlife Fund- Guianas (WWF)

WWF’s contribution to the biodiversity conservation dates back to about two decades ago, when efforts to conserve the endangered sea turtles at Shell Beach kicked off. Funding was provided annually to the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS) which implemented the projects up to the declaration of the Shell Beach as a protected area, following which, the PAC assumed all management responsibilities. The grants continue to target sea turtle monitoring, where local community monitors from Almond Beach and the surrounding communities are employed seasonally, equipment like sea turtle tags, camera traps and GPS units etc. are procured, and staff capacity is built. WWF was also central to developing the first management plan for Kaieteur National Park. In 2007, under an agreement with the National Parks Commission (NPC) and EPA, they led over four years, the management planning process which produced a draft that still informs management today. In addition to this, WWF has supported capacity building in Chenapau, and biodiversity assessments in the Kaieteur area.

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)

Based in Germany, Frankfurt Zoological Society, is an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that is committed to preserving biological diversity in the last remaining wilderness areas of the planet. They implement conservation projects in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America, with the newest mission commencing in Guyana in 2015. With a mission to preserve Guyana’s pristine biodiversity more so those in the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA), an MoU was inked between FZS and the Government of Guyana for the implementation of the Kanuku Mountains Conservation Project. Under this agreement, FZS agreed to provide much needed technical and financial support to the KMPA, and work closely with the newly established PAC. With the assistance of two resident international experts, the PAC developed its first five-year strategic plan and streamlined the other protected area management plans that propelled the commission’s work over the years.

While KMPA was the focal area, and direct financial support was given for community outreach activities, monitoring, equipment, and training; other protected areas and HQ benefitted from their vast expertise. This included ranger trainings and establishment of monitoring systems at all sites; while significant management support, along with overall capacity building was done for staff at the central office. The FZS Guyana project is ongoing under new project leader Mr. Ashley Vosper. FZS continues to focus on the preservation of the KMPA and helping PAC to meet their objectives of having a world-class protected area system. The PAC deeply appreciates the partnership and support of all its partners and stakeholders, and is committed to sustaining such relationships – through continued engagement, accountability and transparency – so that we can achieve our mission of effectively managing the national protected areas and their features while ensuring that they add value to the lives of present and future generations.