Eco-Trust Society

06/06/2026

Guyana is proudly known as the Land of Many Waters, but because we are blessed with such abundance, it can be easy to take our waterways for granted.

Fortunately, there’s powerful, positive momentum growing toward protecting wildlife and the environment.

The third Conservation Conversation, which focused on Giant River Otters, brought together an incredible panel of leaders and specialists to discuss the future of these giants.

On this edition’s panel, several brilliant minds lead the meaningful discussion:
🦦 Ms. Sarah Singh - Program Coordinator of the EMC Foundation who emphasized education and raising public awareness.
🦦 Dr. Deirdre Jafferally, a Community-Based Natural Resource Management Specialist
🦦 Ms. Alona Sankar - Commissioner, Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission
🦦 Ms. Melanie McTurk - Managing Director, Karanambu Lodge
🦦 and Ms. Oleta Williams - Executive Director of the Protected Areas Trust

Our conservation journey has strong roots. In the 1970s, Diane McTurk of Karanambu began rehabilitating orphaned giant otters. Out of necessity, she became a world-renowned expert, successfully raising and releasing over 50 injured or abandoned otters 🐾

The panel emphasized that having rules on paper is only half the battle. It is crucial that we strengthen our field monitoring, tracking, and enforcement capabilities to combat habitat degradation, injury, and illegal capture.

When we protect the giant otter, we protect the water quality, the fish 🐟 populations, and in turn, the livelihoods of communities across Guyana. We are inspired by what we’ve learned!

27/05/2026

All work and no play makes jack a dull boy. Without time off from work, a person becomes both bored and… quite boring 😮‍💨

Last Saturday the Eco-Trust Society, as part of a joint collaborative effort with numerous clubs and societies across campus, showed up with our competitive spirit to Games Day.

Our volunteers had fun! We featured Eco-Trivia, lifesized x and O, the Giants of Eldorado Board Game and more. It was especially exciting to see student societies coming together to make this day come to life and be memorable.

We appreciate and thank for inviting us to contribute to this initiative 💐

20/05/2026

A special day set aside to raise awareness of the importance of bees for food security, biodiversity and ecosystem health 🐝

19/05/2026

WE’RE BACK BIGGER & BETTER! 🎮

UG societies are teaming up again for an even BIGGER Games Day now with more clubs, more games, and even more fun

🕹️ Scavenger Hunts
🎲 Trivia + Jeopardy
🃏 UNO Tournaments
🎮 Xbox & Party Games
🍔 Food & Drinks on Sale
and more!

📍 Multi-Purpose Auditorium
📅 23rd May 2026 | 1PM–5PM

Pre-register now for ONLY $1000 to secure your discounted game pass! ($1500 at the event)

Bring your friends & come make memories
Scan the QR code OR register here:
https://forms.gle/4UyQJ4rCMSr5FspR6

👀 Click the link to see even more activities!

06/05/2026

Anna and Shamaul proudly represented the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, as well as the Eco-Trust Society, at the Earth Day Exhibition hosted by the Protected Areas Commission at the newly commissioned Guyana-China Friendship Park 🌍🌿

Centered on the theme “Bridging People with Nature,” the event translated the global call of ‘Our Power, Our Planet’ into meaningful local action! The amazing presentations, fun activities seamlessly highlighted the importance of environmental awareness and collective action.

The Eco-Trust Society is excited, along with our Faculty, to have been represented as we continue promoting sustainability and responsible stewardship of our planet 🌟

05/05/2026

Last saturday, members from the Eco-Trust Society participated in the .law.society Murder Mystery.

Ashana, Zico, and Arshia did great detective work 🕵️‍♂️🫆
We are thrilled to announce that our team’s sharp intuition and teamwork secured us the 3rd place trophy!

We extend appreciation to Norman, Timothy, and Althrenor, who also stepped up to represent us.

Beyond the mystery, we would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the UG Law Society for their Law Week 2026 initiative. The entire lineup of events was a brilliant success, truly living up to the mission to “showcase creativity, challenge the mind, and celebrate the spirit of law.”

It was an honor to be part of such a well-executed week!

30/04/2026

There is nothing like the curiosity of a child to remind us why environmental advocacy matters. Today Niara, Kaileigh, and Anna had the wonderful opportunity to conduct an educational outreach at UG’s Early Childhood Center for Development 📚

They spent the morning discussing the beauty of Guyana’s protected areas, and teaching the students about the incredible ecosystems that make our home so unique. These volunteers also tackled the very important topic of littering, discussing how even the smallest hands can help keep our land clean and green 💚🌿

Seeing the students connect the dots through play at the end of the session, was a reminder that complex topics are best understood through engagement.

As Earth Month comes to a close, under the theme: Our Power, Our Planet, we are reminded of the power of education. It is never too late - or early! - to learn how to care for our home 🌎

29/04/2026

“Conservation conversations” - 🗒️Edition II

We were priviledged to learn directly from Toshao Joseph Ayaw and his team about the Kanashen Amerindian Protected Area (KAPA), the Wai Wai’s enduring legacy🪶

Did you know KAPA is Guyana’s first and only community-owned protected area, and is divided into 7 Zones?

Initially recognized as a Community Owned Conservation Area in 2007 when the Wai Wai people declared their land a protected area under the Amerindian Act of 2006, Kanashen is a global rarity. Later gazetted a national protected area in 2017, KAPA spans roughly 6,500 square kilometers (3% of Guyana), and represents a one of a kind model where the Wai Wai people hold both the title and responsibility.

Here’s a snippet of what we learnt:
The depth of Kanashen’s management is reflcted in seven distinct zones. In Zone 2, for example, you can find the headwaters of the Kamoa River, and Canje Pheasants! Bush dogs can be found in Zone 4, while zone 5 is home of the iconic Cock-of-the-rock. Zone 7 is dedicated to sustainable use 🌿

The presence of distinguished guests, including High Commissioner Joseph Fisher, Ambassador Nicole Theriot, and Mr. Harripersaud Nokta, former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, emphasized the significance of this model. We were also honored to hear insights from Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, who played a pivotal role in KAPA’s establishment.

The Eco-Trust Society applauds Toshao Ayaw and team for their generosity in sharing knowledge and lived experiences. We also commend the and for creating such an impactful platform 🍃

‘Unless we practice conservation, those who come after us will have to pay the price of misery, degradation, and failure for the progress and prosperity of our day’ - Gifford Pinchot

29/04/2026

One to remember!
It was a pleasure to learn about KAPA from those who reside there and protect it 💚

The EMC Foundation, in collaboration with the Protected Areas Trust - Guyana, proudly featured Toshao Joseph Ayaw and his team from the Kanashen Amerindian Protected Area for the second edition of “Conservation Conversations.”

The Kanashen Amerindian Protected Area, located in southern Guyana, is the country’s first community-owned protected area and one of the largest of its kind in the world. Managed by the Wai Wai people, Kanashen is a vast and pristine landscape of forests, rivers, and biodiversity. It stands as a powerful example of how Indigenous knowledge, stewardship, and sustainable practices play a critical role in conserving ecosystems while supporting community livelihoods.

It was truly an honor to have Toshao Ayaw and his team present and share their knowledge, experiences,and perspectives with everyone in attendance, as well as those who joined us live.

22/04/2026

Earth Day brain busters 🤔🌎

We hope these aren’t all new to you!