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Billion$$$ trust fund for protected areas establishedA $1.7B trust fund to help manage Guyana’s protected areas was on Friday launched with Government officials signaling their intention to raise that amount to US$30M within the next decade.President Donald Ramotar, noting the significance of the event, admitted that it is a strain to maintain the protected areas and called on the international community to play its part.President Donald Ramotar during the launching of the $1.7B protected areas trust fund last evening at the Umana Yana.Alluding to the Iwokrama Rainforest project which ran into financial problems after donor funds dried up,Santiago Casilla Jersey, the official said that the Guyana government was forced to plug precious money…money that was scarce…to keep the project alive.The US$8.5M Conservation Trust Fund is the first of its kind for the country and is geared to provide long-term financing for the management of Guyana’s intact protected areas system (PAS) and will support efforts by the government, along with local communities, to manage the system.Financing for the trust comes from the German government through its development bank, KfW, which provided US$5M. Another US$3.5M came from Conservation International’s (CI) Global Conservation Fund, made possible by a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.According to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, “The creation of the Conservation Trust Fund,Matt Duffy Jersey, and the commitments made by Germany and CI’s Global Conservation Fund…offer a valid option for the long-term, sustainable financing of Guyana’s Protected Areas.”The trust fund will enhance Guyana’s conservation efforts by supporting the on-the-ground efforts for the country’s protected areas, including the implementation of management and monitoring plans and funding for park rangers and scientific research.Guyana established its national protected areas with the passing of the national Protected Areas Act in July 2011. This was quickly followed by the November 2011 creation of two new protected areas: the Kanuku Mountain Protected Area located in southwestern Guyana, and the Shell Beach Protected Area,Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Cameron Maybin Jersey, which is located along the country’s northwest coast. These two areas now join the existing Kaieteur National Park, Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, and the Community Owned Conservation Area at Konashen,Cleveland Indians Austin Jackson Jersey, collectively protecting almost nine percent of Guyana’s landmass.Following the appointment of the Board of Directors of the Protected Areas Commission last February, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment began moving to establish the Protected Areas Commission, and to recruit key officers within the Commission.The Ministry is also implementing Phase II of the KfW-funded Guyana Protected Areas System Project, which provides US$1.5M for the establishment of the Protected Areas Commission offices,Detroit Tigers Alex Avila Jersey, the development of a Shell Beach Protected Area management plan, and additional support for community livelihood projects.President of the world-renowned, Conservation International, Dr. Russell Mittermeier,Miami Marlins Jeff Locke Jersey, noted that it was a major achievement for Guyana.“Guyana is one of the very few places in the world where one can still find such huge areas of intact wilderness, which represent the country’s renewable natural capital and will enable Guyana to develop a model green economy for the future. The Conservation Trust Fund will help to provide the financial support necessary to ensure the protection of critical ecosystems and to ensure that they continue to provide the wide range of ecosystem services necessary for the long-term well-being of Guyana’s people.”More than 90 percent of Guyana’s natural wealth remains intact including tropical forests,Colby Rasmus Jersey, wetlands, rivers, shrub and grassland savannahs.Stefan Schlueter, the Trinidad-based German Ambassador, who is accredited to Guyana, in explaining the significance of the process of setting up the Trust Fund stated,Philadelphia Phillies Joaquin Benoit Jersey, “The recent achievements in the establishment of the Guyana Protected Areas System represent a compelling example of joint collaboration between national governments, international non-governmental organizations and official development assistance under the umbrella of a comprehensive national policy. The German government is looking forward to further support this process.”By December, the trust fund will be rolled into the statutory National Protected Areas Trust Fund under Guyana’s Protected Areas Act.Meanwhile, the next several months will be spent convening stakeholder consultations to develop the strategic and operational plan,Minnesota Twins Ryan Vogelsong Jersey, which will guide the operation and grant-making portfolio of the trust fund for the years ahead.  This effort will include development of a fundraising strategy in order to attract more national and international donors to jointly support the conservation of Guyana’s abundant biodiversity and nature.