News Release June 30, 2006

New Directions

This week the Centre has launched its new five year plan, focused on four principle lines of business - eco-tourism, timber, training and intellectual property.  The plan will ensure Iwokrama provides a unique and priceless contribution to the global issue of rainforest research and climate change mitigation.

The four areas of business activity reflect the Centre’s key objectives of fulfilling an international role through scientific research; through the promotion of best practice in sustainable forest management; and through enabling a much greater number of visitors from Guyana and around the world to experience the beauty and grandeur of Iwokrama, the Essequibo River on its door step and the Rupununi Wetlands to the South.

Practical steps are already being undertaken towards these objectives: the completion of Iwokrama’s airstrip by 30 October, thanks to the generous initiative of the Guyana Government; the beginning after the rains of an experiment in sustainable timber harvesting; the recent opening of discussions with international universities at the forefront of climate change on possible new global warming monitoring facilities at Kurupukari; and early improvements in Iwokrama’s eco-tourism facilities.

These initiatives are in keeping with the support of our Patron, The Prince of Wales, who said in his Tenth Anniversary Message:

Iwokrama’s staff and trustees are now looking to a wide variety of new partners - both national and international - to help fulfill the Centre’s objectives.

Staff and Trustees will seek support from like-minded major corporate entities, trusts and foundations and from wealthy individuals to ensure that Iwokrama will have a flourishing financial independence in the coming years and so enhance Guyana’s international reputation.

June 30, 2006