Youth as Agents of Change
Iwokrama is a Guyanese non-governmental organization (NGO) that manages a vast reserve set aside by the Guyanese government as a demonstration project for sustainable, ecologically sensitive development—1,400 square miles of virtually untouched rain forest, rivers, and rugged mountains harboring one of the finest assemblages of tropical wildlife in the Americas. Iwokrama has developed an unprecedented partnership with scientists, land managers, and indigenous communities, working to preserve its wilderness character while using some of its resources to the benefit of Amerindians and the country as a whole.
Iwokrama’s outreach program collaborates with all 15 primary schools in the North Rupununi Region and supports the Makushi communities’ Wildlife Clubs. These clubs allow members—boys and girls between 8 and 18 years of age—to gain firsthand experience of natural resource management while encouraging the development of skills necessary for organizational management and governance. The clubs’ objectives include:
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Developing an awareness and understanding of the plants, animals, and physical characteristics of the environment.
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Helping in local wildlife inventories and wildlife monitoring.
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Understanding natural resource management and conservation.
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Promoting development of communication skills and self confidence.
Each club belongs to its community and has a unique focus and interests while teaching a basic set of environmental management tools. Environmental monitoring is emphasized, as it fosters an understanding and ownership of science that can be applied to the local environment and, in turn, develops into community-owned conservation activities.
The combination of knowledge and experience gained by members of the clubs help them become valued conservation professionals. Most members of the first clubs have been hired by governmental agencies like the Ministry of the Environment and NGOs like Iwokrama, Conservation International, and World Wildlife Fund.