The leaders of all wildlife clubs in the North Rupununi meet three times a year to present their reports and to discuss and share club experiences. The last centralised club meeting was held for two days this past December at Bina Hill Institute in Annai. Participants were extremely enthusiastic and participation was high, as representatives from all 14 clubs attended, bringing the total number of participants to 44.
Caroline Allicock of Surama Junior Wildlife Club delivers her club’s report and presentation to the other wildlife club representatives. |
On the first day, clubs presented their reports, and many stated that there had been a rise in club activity in their communities since the 2004 Wildlife Festival held in August. A presentation of all the clubs’ bird data was presented using graphs showing the presence of birds by feeding guilds over time, and other Citizen Science* monitoring activities were reviewed. After lunch, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assisted clubs in creating and writing proposals. Clubs are eligible to apply for the EPA administered Green Fund and most clubs are applying for funds to build a wildlife club house.
The youth also took part in field work with Sambhu, Orville and Malyiza of the Wetlands Monitoring team as they collected bird data at one of the team’s sites. This gave clubs an opportunity to see how their Citizen Science activities can contribute to locally owned resource management initiatives.
After the meeting, Arnold Jacobus of the Aranaputa Junior Wildlife Club presented Samantha James, Iwokrama Community Outreach Coordinator, with a token of the clubs appreciation for her work with them. |
Participants also elected a new executive committee for the North Rupununi Junior Wildlife & Development Council (NRJWDC) and created objectives, a code of conduct, and an outreach schedule to all 14 clubs.
The new NRJWDC executive committee is:
President - Debbie Jacobus (Aranaputa)
Vice President - Caroline Allicock (Surama)
Secretary - Hannah Davis (Toka)
Treasurer - Ezra Isaac (Toka)
Secretary / Treasurer - Martin Antone (Fairview)
Congratulations and best wishes to the new Executive Committee!
*Citizen Science is using eyes, ears, nose, touch and one’s brain (curiosity) and demonstrates that anyone can take part in scientific study. Using the tools we all have, Citizen Science proves that you don’t have to be formally schooled in science to do science.
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