DID you know that the Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world, covering approximately 6.70 million km² and spanning nine countries in South America, including Guyana? The Amazon is home to about 10 per cent of all known species on Earth, making it one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. These facts underscore the ecological significance of the Amazon and highlight why initiatives like the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes Project are important.
What is the ASL–Guyana II Project All About?
The Amazon Sustainable Landscapes Project is a large-scale conservation and sustainable development initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented with support from partners, including the World Bank and national governments. In Guyana, the project functions under the theme “Securing a Living Amazon through Landscape Connectivity in Southern Guyana.” It aims to strengthen landscape connectivity and improve conservation of the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area and the North Rupununi Wetlands by enhancing protected area management and promoting sustainable land-use practices.
The project is executed locally by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with support from partners such as the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
Recent Strategies Adopted to Advance the Project’s Goals
The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a series of community-driven assessments to inform and strengthen environmental and landscape protection, conservation, and sustainable management in the North Rupununi—one of Guyana’s most important ecological and cultural landscapes.
The assessments focused on land use, livelihoods, and water quality and are designed to support smarter planning, stronger community involvement, and long-term environmental protection across the North Rupununi.
Local Communities at the Centre
Local communities and key stakeholders were engaged before the fieldwork began. They were briefed on project activities and provided feedback to ensure that local priorities and traditional knowledge guided the process. In late 2025, community participants were equipped with practical skills in digital mapping and socio-economic data collection.
Training conducted at the Bina Hill Institute in Annai focused on using mobile tools to support long-term community planning, while subsequent sessions strengthened the capacity of local enumerators in ethical survey practices, household and village data collection, and the documentation of traditional ecological knowledge.
Furthermore, the first round of water-quality assessments in selected North Rupununi communities was completed. The data will establish a baseline for tracking changes in rivers and wetlands and guide future conservation and management actions.
Building Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods
Together, these activities mark a major step forward in a multi-stakeholder effort—including local communities—and in strengthening local capacity to ensure effective conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity, culture, and livelihoods in the North Rupununi.
The EPA, through the ASL Guyana Project II, continues to work alongside communities to ensure that Guyana’s natural heritage is protected not just for today, but for generations to come.
