On August 10, 2024, the EMC Foundation, in partnership with the Scout Association of Guyana (SAG), hosted an Eco-Adventure activity at Camp Dora on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. This event brought together over one hundred and fifty (150) scout members from both Guyana and Trinidad for an immersive experience designed to introduce them to the EMC Foundation, deepen their understanding of the ecosystem in Camp Dora, and demonstrate the use of technology in environmental monitoring.
Sarah Singh, the Projects Officer, kicked off the Eco-Adventure activity by warmly welcoming all participants and energizing them for the exciting demonstrations and activities ahead, including GPS navigation, drone operations, camera trap usage, and a nature walk and talk. Mr. Shyam Nokta, the Founder and Director of the EMC Foundation, also extended a warm welcome, highlighting the Foundation’s mission to increase environmental awareness in Guyana. He encouraged everyone to enjoy and make the most of the day’s activities. Following his remarks, Mr. Yonnick David, the Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Guyana, expressed gratitude to the EMC Foundation for organizing the event. He urged the scout members to absorb as much knowledge as possible from the day’s activities, highlighting the invaluable opportunity for personal growth and development through learning from the Foundation.
Nathan Prince and Delon Ramkissoon, volunteers of the EMC Foundation, led an exciting drone session where scouts learned about drone components and their practical applications in environmental monitoring and even got to fly the drones themselves. This hands-on experience offered scouts a bird’s eye view of ecosystems and illustrated how drones can be pivotal in creating detailed maps and spotting wildlife for research and conservation.
Felicia Monderson and Shemika Pereira, volunteers of the EMC Foundation, guided the scouts through GPS technology, teaching them to mark and track waypoints. The scouts explored how GPS is used in environmental work, such as tracking animal movements and monitoring changes in the environment, sparking interest in careers as environmental scientists or GPS experts.
Tishawana Harry and Chelbie Gilkes, volunteers of the EMC Foundation, introduced scouts to the world of camera traps, demonstrating their role in wildlife conservation. The scouts were thrilled to see how these devices help gather data on species’ behaviour and population trends, providing critical insights for protecting habitats.
Led by Guyana Forestry Commission Rangers, Julian Phillay and Piralta Stoll, the scouts embarked on a nature walk on the Hilly Sand & Clay Region. The rangers shared their extensive knowledge of the region’s unique geography, flora, and fauna, as well as the importance of sustainable practices in preserving these ecosystems. The walk provided scouts with a deeper appreciation for conservation efforts and inspired them to take an active role in environmental protection.
The day’s activities concluded with a lively Q&A session hosted by Sarah Singh. Scouts eagerly participated, answering questions about the day’s demonstrations and showcasing their newly acquired knowledge. The session not only reinforced the learning objectives but also rewarded enthusiastic participation with EMC Foundation publications. By the end of the activity, the scout members were excited about pursuing careers in the environmental field and even inquired about opportunities to work or volunteer with the EMC Foundation. They were fascinated by the use of technology in environmental protection and eagerly looked forward to participating in more activities like this in the future.
In a surprise and inspiring moment, the event was graced by the attendance of Mr. Kemraj Parsram from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan, the new Patron of the EMC Foundation. Their presence added a layer of prestige to the event and highlighted the importance of environmental education and collaboration.
Drone Demonstrations with Nathan Prince and Delon Ramkissoon
GPS Demonstrations with Shemika Pereira and Felicia Monderson
Camera Trap Demonstrations with Tishawana Harry and Chelbie Gilkes
Nature Walk and Talk with Julian Phillay and Piralta Stoll
The EMC Foundation was established by Mr. Shyam Nokta, winner of the 2022 Anthony N Sabga Award for Entrepreneurship. The Foundation works to support environmental awareness and education in Guyana by promoting activities which encourage a greater understanding of the environment, creating a network to connect like-minded people, and providing opportunities to experience Guyana’s rich natural environment.