WWF Guianas embarking on major public awareness drive in Guyana

WWF Guianas embarking on major public awareness drive in Guyana
Guyana Chronicle, 13 April 2008
http://www.guyanachronicle.com/topstory.html#Anchor-Presiden-49177

Gold mining pollution abatement officer (standing) during an awareness
exercise with miners
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas, a global Non-Governmental
Organisation (N GO) working in Guyana for almost 10 years, has planned
a major public awareness drive in Guyana to sensitise the masses of
the Guyanese people to its existence here, and its ongoing and
intensified collaboration with the government and people of Guyana.

The local office, previously located in Bel Air Park, is now housed at
285 Irving Street, Queenstown, and is one of three located in the
Region. The other two are in French Guiana and Suriname. The regional
WWF Guianas office is based in Suriname.

WWF Guianas was established here in 1999 after the Guianian Moist
Forests region covering the three Guianas was identified as one of 238
eco-regions with the highest priority areas for conservation world
wide.

Cognizant that many Guyanese are yet unaware of WWF and its mission
and many if they hear of the name would think of a certain wrestling
federation, WWF Guianas affirms that it is important to note that the
only official 'WWF' in Guyana is World Wildlife Fund!


WWF Freshwater officer (far left) with local fishermen taking part in
the Arapaima survey
Until recently, the task force in Guyana was very small, but has now
expanded to include a Forestry Officer, a Freshwater Officer, a Gold
Mining Pollution Abatement Officer and an Education and Communications
Officer.

Some recent highlights include:
* working with various forestry companies to achieve Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) status;
* establishing wildlife clubs nationwide,

* robust establishment of working relationship with miners to reduce pollution;

* the carrying out an Arapaima survey in the Rupununi;

* working closely with other organisations in setting up the Kaieteur
National Park;

* as well as planning for the Kanuku Mountains protected area.

In addition, the Forestry Officer is working closely with various
communities to assist them in community forestry techniques so that
they can use their forests in a successful and a sustainable way.



WWF Forestry officer (right) working to assist a local forestry
company in implementing eco friendly logging practices
The WWF Office has also given grants to various educational
establishments to assist them in their environmental awareness
initiatives. The office hosted a panel discussion for World Water Day
on March 20th, and is currently in the process of working with the
National Library, promoting awareness and education.

Working in over 100 countries worldwide, WWF has more than 2000
conservation projects underway at any one time. The WWF Guianas
Programme is a WWF conservation initiative launched in 1998, covering
the three Guianas and targeting the Guianian Eco-region complex

The mission of WWF in brief is: ȁTo conserve habitats and protect
flora and fauna in order to ensure a healthy and working ecosystem
that also serves to support human populations."

Currently, WWF Guianas is working under the Guianas Sustainable
Natural Resources Management Project under which there are 6 main
programme areas: Sustainable Forest Management, the Gold Mining
Pollution Abatement, Protected Areas Establishment and Management,
Freshwater Conservation and Management, Species Conservation and
Management, and Environmental Education and Communication.