THE Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development, in collaboration with the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) and the ExxonMobil Foundation, has unveiled two innovative conservation initiatives aimed at engaging young minds in environmental stewardship.

The new publication, Conservation Canvases: Hand-Painted Banners from the North Rupununi Wildlife Club Festival, along with the board game Wildlife Wonders, was officially launched at an event in Annai, North Rupununi, in January 2025.
The book was inspired by the 2023 Wildlife Club Festival, where participating clubs designed banners for the “Parade of Banners” during the opening ceremony. Recognising the artistic talent and environmental messages depicted, organisers worked with the youth to develop accompanying narratives, leading to the creation of Conservation Canvases.

Meanwhile, Wildlife Wonders reimagines the classic Snakes and Ladders game with a forest conservation theme, featuring key biodiversity species found in Guyana’s rich ecosystems.
These initiatives seek to deepen young people’s appreciation for conservation, ensuring that the values of environmental protection are instilled across communities, both in the hinterland and on the coast. For over two decades, wildlife club members have emerged as community leaders, researchers, tourism professionals, and rangers, contributing significantly to conservation and sustainable development.

The ExxonMobil Foundation also supports a range of projects aligned with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. This includes funding for 17 wildlife clubs—engaging approximately 400 children—alongside forestry research, the Makushi Research Unit, and Radio Paiwomak, Guyana’s first community-owned radio station. A coastal conservation programme, led by Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC Inc.) and the EMC Foundation, further strengthens efforts in species conservation, sustainable tourism, ecosystem restoration, and environmental education.
Iwokrama expressed gratitude to the ExxonMobil Foundation for its continued investment in conservation and acknowledged the Government of Guyana, EMC Inc., the EMC Foundation, and the NRDDB for their unwavering support in promoting sustainable development and environmental awareness.