US$5M earmarked to improve integrated landscape management in southern Guyana

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), on Monday launched the project “Securing a Living Amazon through Landscape Connectivity in Southern Guyana” under the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes programme (ASL).

ASL is a regional effort aimed at conservation in and sustainable development of the Amazon, and the intent is to connect people and institutions to conserve and manage landscapes.
Guyana’s national ASL project is an initiative that is part of the second phase of the ASL programme, and seeks to improve integrated landscape management and conservation of ecosystems in targeted areas of the Amazon region.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Government of Guyana, the project is implemented by the WWF, with the EPA as the lead executing agency, in partnership with the PAC and the GFC.

The initiative is set to be executed over five years, ending in 2028; and has a budget of just over US$5 million. It targets the enhancement of landscape connectivity through strategic management improvements of the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area and the North Rupununi Wetlands —two of Guyana’s most biologically diverse landscapes.
The project is structured around four main components – Integrated Protected Landscapes; Integrated Productive Landscapes; Policies/Incentives for Protected and Productive Landscapes; and Capacity Building and Regional Cooperation.
These efforts are aim at bringing 611,000 hectares of the Kanuku Mountains’ terrestrial protected area and 901,800 hectares of the North Rupununi Wetlands under improved management, integrating sustainable land and water management practices that support the conservation of these critical ecosystems.
The project also emphasises carbon emission reduction, with an expected mitigation of approximately 847,406 metric tons of CO2, contributing significantly to global climate change efforts. Moreover, the project engages 700 direct beneficiaries, including ensuring 40% female participation, which promotes gender-sensitive development and diversified management of natural resources.
This timely initiative underscores the Government of Guyana’s commitment to preserving biodiversity as outlined in the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.
Over the next five years, the project would foster collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental organisations and indigenous communities.
This collaborative approach is poised to pave the way for a more inclusive and comprehensive environmental governance structure, essential for Guyana’s sustainability pledge.
The strategic focus on community involvement and gender-sensitive practices is set to position this project as a model for conservation efforts worldwide, promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship in one of the world’s most vital natural habitats.