Model Management Agreement Finalised for the
Iwokrama Canopy Walkway

15 September 2004

On Friday, 10th September 2004, the Iwokrama International Centre signed a contract with Community and Tourism Services (CATS) to manage the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. Sydney Allicock, Chairman of the Board of CATS and representing the Makushi community of Surama, and Graham Watkins, Iwokrama Director General, were the agreement signatories.

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.

CATS has launched a new web site dedicated to marketing the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway: http://www.iwokramacanopywalkway.com/

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.

The Canopy Walkway is a series of suspension bridges and observation decks of up to 30 metres (98 ft.) in height and 154 metres (505 ft.) 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.