Sixteen intermediate-level birding guides recently participated in the first Iwokrama Birding Guide Training Programme.
In a press release Iwokrama said the course aimed at increasing the guides’ avifauna knowledge and birding guide expertise to the level of professional guides. The 16-day session was held at many birding sites in the North Rupununi including at the Bina Hill Institute, Surama Village and at the Iwokrama International Centre’ Canopy Walkway and Field Station. It was hosted by professional instructors: Neotropic birding guides Chris Collins of the United Kingdom’s Neotropical Birding Club and Wildwings and Barry Walker, owner of the Manu Expeditions in Peru.
Iwokrama said the training will allow Guyana’s tourism destinations to be better equipped for increases in tourism arrivals and will improve employment and income generating opportunities for local communities while focusing on the importance of environmental ethics. All participants received birding equipment including waterproof binoculars, The Birds of Northern South America field guide set and bird vocalization recording and playback equipment. Four guide trainees also participated in train-the-trainer skills so that they will in turn be able to train other local guides as the birding tourism market continues to expand.
According to the release a major objective of the European Union’s Guyana Micro-Projects Programme – Iwokrama Birding Guide Training Programme was to make an overall contribution towards improving the standard of national guiding and interpretive services through the introduction of qualified guiding personnel. It is a component of Iwokrama’s tourism development strategy that includes strengthening links with the private sector and ensuring local community involvement in tourism in the Iwokrama Forest. The course started on May 31 and ended on June 15.
