Press Release/ Note to Editor, 7 September 2004

Model Management Agreement to be Finalised for the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway

Georgetown, Guyana -- On Friday, 10th September 2004, the Iwokrama International Centre will sign a contract with Community and Tourism Services (CATS) to manage the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. The only tourism-oriented canopy walkway in the Guiana Shield, the walkway in the Iwokrama Forest of central Guyana has become a major draw for tourists to Guyana since it opened last year.

Consistent with its partnership based business practices, Iwokrama has joined with CATS to manage the Canopy Walkway. CATS is a company formed by the Makushi community of Surama and two private sector businesses: Rock View Lodge and Wilderness Explorers. This unique model for ecotourism business development mirrors similar sustainable ecotourism enterprises elsewhere in the world. The goal of linking Iwokrama with these organisations is to show how conservation-related partnerships can be financially successful and provide real benefits and ownership to local communities.

The Canopy Walkway is a series of suspension bridges and observation decks of up to 30 metres in height and 154 metres in length. The facility’s state-of-the-art construction allows trees to grow normally by using adjustable cables and braces throughout the support structure. The observation decks give visitors a new view on the mid- and upper-level forest canopy and allow wildlife to remain relatively free from human intrusion. The walkway, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), was built by Greenheart Conservation Company of Canada at a cost of US$180,000.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR:
The press is invited to the contract signing at 1:00PM on Friday 10th September 2004 at Iwokrama International Centre, 77 High Street, Kingston. Sydney Allicock, Chairman of the Board of CATS and representing the Makushi community of Surama, and Graham Watkins, Iwokrama Director General, will be the signatories.

Digital images of the Iwokrama Forest Canopy Walkway are available.

Over 200 young people attended the three-day festival with an agenda designed by the North Rupununi Wildlife Clubs. Participants came from Annai, Apoteri, Aranaputa, Toka, Kwaimatta, Crash Water, Rewa, Yakarinta, Rupertee, Kwatamang, Wowetta, Surama, and Fair View. Participants also came from the distant communities of Bartica, Santa Rosa, Nappi and St. Ignatius; they attended through generous travel assistance from Intraserv Bus Service and Conservation International.

The first day began with a parade of costumed club members who carried banners and displays reflecting the festival theme, followed by the opening ceremony, and art and poetry contests. Wildlife Clubs later reported on past and upcoming activities. Then Ms. Whitney made a presentation on Jacksonville Zoo's exhibit, "Range of the Jaguar", which has live animals such as Jaguars and Giant Anteaters, and teaches visitors about life and conservation in Iwokrama and the North Rupununi . The afternoon closed with a video from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce that documented the ascent of Mt. Roraima.

On day two there were games for those under age 11 and workshops for those 12 years and older. The workshops focused on communication skills and learning how to recognise and seek help from domestic violence or sexual abuse. After an afternoon game of football, clubs presented skits on a variety of topics.

Participants from outside the local area set the pace for day three with an early morning hike up Rupertee Mountain, led by local guides from the Rupertee Tourism Committee. From the summit they all got a Harpy Eagle's view over the savannahs of the North Rupununi and bathed in a spring-fed pool. Meanwhile, the other clubs engaged in competitions highlighting cotton weaving and archery. These competitions were judged by local experts in these skills: Dan Allicock and members of the Makushi Research Unit.

The event was facilitated by the North Rupununi Junior Wildlife Development Council (NRJWDC), Bina Hill Institute, and Iwokrama. Prizes were awarded to first, second, and third place competition winners; tote bags, donated by Jacksonville Zoo, Iwokrama, WWF, and Audubon were given to all participants. These organizations are among the many festival donors to which the Wildlife Clubs are sincerely grateful.