Traditional knowledge and conservation in Guyana

This project will provide policy-level guidance, capacity development and research-led experience for incorporating traditional knowledge into conservation and sustainable development decision-making, monitoring and policy. Working in Guyana, this will be through:

• evaluating the opportunities and barriers to traditional knowledge integration using case studies focused on protected areas management;
• streamlining a participatory cross-scalar process to incorporate local traditional knowledge at the national scale, and;
• developing a National Action Plan for Traditional Knowledge that can be used as a model of best practice for other countries of the Guiana Shield and worldwide.

Guyana’s progress, due to its valuable biodiversity, will help determine global progress with Aichi Target 18 - incorporating traditional knowledge into national legislation and relevant international obligations. We will work with Indigenous communities living in and around Guyana’s five protected areas that hold biodiversity of global significance and critically endangered species; Kanuku Mountains, Shell Beach, Kaieteur National Park, Iwokrama Forest, and the Konashen Community-Owned Conservation Area. Using participatory video, we aim to will facilitate and evaluate dialogue between decision-makers and local communities on how traditional knowledge can inform the management of these protected areas, as well as wider environmental and development strategies and policies.