Nature conservation legislation is passed and two new protected areas are designated
Guyana, located in northeastern South America, is an often overlooked megadiverse country, with a sparse population, nestled within the Amazon and Orinoco basins. With over 85% forest coverage, Guyana boasts the world’s second highest percentage of rainforest cover and serves as a major carbon sink in the fight against climate change. In 2012, Guyana’s Protected Areas Commission (PAC) was established.
Since 2014, FZS has been supporting the PAC in system-wide planning and institutional development for the national protected area system and managing the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area.
In 2022, the Government of Guyana developed its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, committing to the international goal of designating new protected areas in Guyana by 2030, from the current 8.4 percent of the country’s land area to 30 percent. FZS has been supporting this process with a new program focus and an increased presence on the ground since 2023.
- Supporting the Guyana Protected Areas Commission (PAC) in the administration and management of the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area
- Supporting monitoring plans and biodiversity surveys
- Communicating with other stakeholders such as regional planning agencies, indigenous communities, and conservation organizations to advance nature conservation objectives
- Providing technical and financial resources to the Government of Guyana for the designation of new protected areas
- Environmental education in the 21 indigenous communities surrounding the Kanuku Mountains
2011
The Protected Areas Commission is established and manages three protected areas and the urban parks
2012
FZS assigns two experts to Guyana to assist the PAC in developing its institutional strategy and management plans and setting up the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area administration
2014
First rangers are hired in the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area and a ranger base is established in Lethem
2016
Guyana’s first indigenous-owned protected area added to the national protected area system
2017
FZS extends its cooperation agreement with the Government of Guyana to support the designation of new protected areas in Guyana as part of the LCDS 2030
2022
FZS Guyana Inc. is established as a national non-profit organization in Guyana, and a national FZS team is recruited with dedicated FZS offices in Georgetown and Lethem
2023