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Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and DevelopmentIIC is the regional focal point organisation for the Guianas Since its commencement in 1996, the Centre has managed the 371 000 hectares of Iwokrama forest in central Guyana to show how tropical forests can be conserved and sustainably used to provide ecological, social and economic benefits to local, national and international communities. For more than a decade, research at the Centre has made significant contributions in several areas including:
Heavily integrated into our best practices are our strong relations with the communities of the North Rupununi and the Village of Fair View within the Iwokrama forest. These integral activities form the core of the Centre. This core in turn supports the businesses of the Centre. By integrating human needs and values into business development and conservation strategies, partnerships with local communities are established so they can assist in forest management and get direct benefits through joint business development. Climate change, community development, ecotourism, conservation, intellectual property and services as well as sustainable forestry all bring the Centre closer to fulfilling its mandate; however its heartbeat lies not in its programmes, breathtaking beauty, or wealth of biological diversity, but with the people who strive daily to help the Centre achieve and maintain its mandate. This rare blend of technology, ancient culture, and traditional knowledge will ensure that the Centre fulfils its mandate and promise to the world. Research Station: Iwokrama International CentreLocated in the heart of the Guiana Shield, the Centre abounds with excellent representation of the various forest types and ecosystems of Guyana’s rainforest and with healthy populations of a significant range of faunal species. The Centre has firmly established itself as a living laboratory of intact tropical forest where novel, cutting-edge research projects are successfully implemented. Project implementation is based on careful planning and proactive stakeholder involvement, with, in particular, the indigenous communities that live within or adjacent to the of the Centre’s boundaries. The Centre's field station boasts well appointed cabins with an air-conditioned conference facility complete with LCD projector, flip charts and other teaching aids, research space and research assistants in addition to other support staff. The more basic Turtle Mountain Camp and other satellite camps also provide space for research activities around the Iwokrama forest. There is also broadband internet connectivity at the field station. Graduates of Iwokrama’s Ranger Training Programme are employed by the Centre and are key facilitators of studies conducted by local and international researchers. Several off-road vehicles and water craft form part of the fleet at the field station which allow scientists to traverse the 1 million acre natural laboratory and neighbouring locations. Contacts:
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