Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development
IIC 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:
- informing policy and providing new and additional information
on non-timber forest products and lesser known timber species;
- sustainable
forest management including certification;
- biodiversity assessments including
floral and faunal inventories;
- sustainable business development and valuation of
forest resources and services.
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.
more
Research Station: Iwokrama International Centre
Located 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:
| 
Print version