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Protected Areas Trust’s Journey with the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund 

In 2022, the Protected Areas Trust in Guyana (PAT) embarked on what would eventually become a groundbreaking partnership with the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF). PAT is working to mobilize and allocate finances for the management of the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) in Guyana. CBF provides continuous funding for conservation and sustainable development in 14 Caribbean countries, so the partnership was a seamless one.  

In addition to a pledge of USD 1 million over the next 5 years, the partnership has gone beyond financial support. It has played a key role in organizational development, building capacity, strengthening systems, and helping PAT grow into a more resilient and forward-thinking institution. This collaboration builds on earlier foundations, specifically PAT’s membership in, the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds (REDLAC) since 2016 and connects PAT to a broader network of regional National Conservation Trust Funds. Through REDLAC, PAT has benefited from regional peer learning, mentorship, and joint capacity-building opportunities that have strengthened governance and operational practices.  Now, three years into the CBF partnership agreement, the relationship remains strong, with ongoing collaboration and joint efforts across the Caribbean.  

Together, PAT and CBF continue to champion the transformation of ecologically important spaces, the development of sustainable resources, and the long-term protection of Guyana’s natural heritage. Today, approximately 8.4% of Guyana’s landmass is under the NPAS, covering over 1.4 million hectares. 

Guyana has an ambitious goal as part of its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) to improve protected areas to cover 30% of the country. Our partnership allows us to leverage international best practices and learnings as we as a country continue to champion thedevelopment of our protected areas. 

While the journey has seen significant growth, there are many more opportunities for strengthening this partnership between PAT and the CBF including further capacity building, updating of shared datasets and overall integration of evidence-based monitoring for impact. PAT, through its collaboration with CBF and other partners, is actively working in these areas through targeted investments in training, system strengthening, and inclusive governance.  

 

Leading with Strategy 

One of our first joint initiatives focused on strengthening the planning and management tools of the National Protected Areas System (NPAS). Spanning 2023, this project laid the groundwork for management plans and strategic objectives for the 2024–2028 period. This allowed us to identify overarching challenges, such as limited financial and human resources, enforcement gaps, and access to technical expertise, and turn them into opportunities for the protected areas. 

The project centred on three key sites: Shell Beach Protected Area (SBPA), Kaieteur National Park (KNP), and the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA). More than 45 community consultations were held, including with Indigenous groups and families. These sessions ensured that while conservation remained a top priority, traditional practices, livelihood development, and youth engagement were also front and center. This aided in developing our relationships with the communities living in and around our protected areas and national park. It fostered a culture of conservation through education and shared understanding. 

A national consultative process including a range of local agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana Forestry Commission, Ministry of Education, WWF Guianas, and Conservation International, was utilized. Importantly, indigenous leaders and community groups were brought in to ensure that all voices were heard and valued equally. Discussions ranged from climate resilience and wildlife trade to sustainable use of resources and biodiversity enhancement.

The management plans from this initiative are now being used to drive development across the protected areas.  

You can view all the management plans created here: (under Resources & Plans) Protected Areas Commission 

 

Advocating for Biodiversity 

Momentum continued into 2024, when CBF supported Guyana’s inaugural national workshop on Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) which focused on education and aligning local efforts with international conservation standards in partnership with Birdlife International and Re: Wild. The workshop, which was funded under the CBF’s CRAB Project, aimed to demystify the KBA qualification process and lay the foundation for future planning and development across Guyana. 

Nadia Hunte, Assistant Commissioner of Conservation Planning at the Protected Areas Commission, shared: 

“The workshop helped uncover several key growth opportunities. It highlighted the need for ongoing technical training to strengthen local capacity in identifying and validating KBAs according to international standards. It also revealed opportunities for deeper collaboration between indigenous communities, government institutions, NGOs, and academia—especially in data sharing and joint research. This collaboration demonstrated the value of inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement in environmental planning. The connections and momentum generated through this workshop will be instrumental as PAC moves toward expanding the National Protected Areas System.” 

The workshop brought together stakeholders from across government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Guyana Forestry Commission, as well as nonprofits such as Conservation International, WWF Guianas, the University of Guyana, and the Guyana Marine Conservation Society. Additionally, it included Indigenous representatives from communities surrounding the Kanuku Mountains Protected Areas and beyond.  

Over the course of four days, more than 30 participants received training, tools, and insights to help integrate KBA principles into Guyana’s conservation efforts. A roadmap was developed for identifying future sites, along with a framework for using Guyana-specific data in research and education. The strength of this initiative was truly in its inclusivity, drawing on the diverse expertise and perspectives of all involved. This unified approach will be essential to the future of conservation in Guyana. 

 

Scaling up Capacity 

The new partnership between PAT and CUSO International, supported through the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, is also a powerful example of cross-sector collaboration driving sustainable conservation and inclusive development. Through this initiative, three CUSO volunteers have added their expertise to further PAT’s work, each contributing to essential areas: communications, gender mainstreaming, and monitoring & evaluation frameworks. Their contributions have elevated not only PAT’s visibility and storytelling capacity but also its internal ability to track impact and integrate equity across its programming. 

This collaboration represents more than just technical support to foster a dynamic exchange of knowledge and values. The volunteers have helped refine PAT’s approach to community engagement and long-term planning, ensuring that people across gender lines are included through PAT’s first-ever Gender Policy and that conservation efforts are responsive and measurable. With the support of the CBF, PAT and CUSO International are demonstrating how targeted volunteerism can fuel innovation, amplify local leadership, and deepen the roots of sustainable ecosystem management in Guyana’s protected areas. 

To date, these collaborative initiatives have directly trained over 60 individuals, strengthening Guyana’s national capacity for protected area planning, biodiversity assessment and management.  

While our partnership with CBF is still growing, its impact is already profound. Collaborating with peers across the Caribbean who face similar challenges has fostered a sense of community and shared purpose. There’s a genuine commitment to protecting the waters, forests, and biodiversity that define our region and we’re just getting started.  

 

About the Protected Areas Trust (Guyana) 

The Protected Areas Trust (PAT) is Guyana’s national conservation trust fund dedicated to supporting the effective management and sustainable use of Guyana’s network of protected areas. Established to provide long-term financial and technical support, PAT works in close collaboration with its donors, governmental agencies, civil society, and local communities to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs and financial mechanisms, PAT promotes conservation, community empowerment, and resilience—ensuring that protected areas continue to serve as vital ecological and economic assets for present and future generations. 

 

About the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) 

The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) is the regional umbrella environmental fund for the Caribbean, dedicated to sustaining nature and improving lives across the region. By designing and managing innovative financing solutions, the CBF helps countries access long-term resources to protect biodiversity, build climate resilience, and promote nature-based economic growth. 

The CBF manages three strategic programs that drive impact across the region: Conservation Finance via a regional endowment, Climate Change adaptation focused on Ecosystem-based Approaches (EbA), and Nature-based Economies that support circular economy models. These programs actively collaborate with governments, communities, and development partners across the Caribbean to advance shared environmental goals and long-term sustainability. To date, the Fund has supported more than 100 projects in 12 countries, delivering over US$30 million in funding for impactful, locally led solutions.  

 

Contact: 

For more information on the work of the Protected Areas Trust and to find out how you can get involved, please follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or visit PAT’s website at www.protectedareastrust.org.gy or contact us at +592 227 0346.