Wish List

We—the Karanambu Trust—are seeking donations in support of our mission, which is to ensure sustainable use of the wetlands around Karanambu through wildlife and habitat conservation, research, and education in partnership with local communities.  The Trust is a private charity established in 1997 in Guyana.  

Our top priority moving forward is to improve the facilities and equipment at Karanambu so we can support the activities of the Trust and reduce the environmental impact of the Lodge operation.  In 2010, we successfully raised the funds needed to expand housing for Trust scientists and educators.  In 2011, our most important project is the installation of solar power. 

 

Additionally, we hope to raise the funds needed to accomplish the following: continue three conservation programs focused on Karanambu’s extraordinary wildlife—giant otters, jaguars, and freshwater fishes including the arapaima; start a series of training courses for students from local communities in partnership with the Bina Hill Institute/North Rupununi District Development Board; begin properly managing plastic waste; provide better Internet access; improve ground travel logistics; and, support board member in-country travel for fundraising purposes.  Details for each follow.

 

1.  Solar batteries for completion of a solar energy system $10,000

In March 2011, Robin Anliker, a solar engineer with the US Peace Corp Respond Program, began a 6-month stay at Karanambu.  By April, she had prepared a detailed assessment of the need for solar power at Karanambu, and a plan for its implementation.  The full report is available upon request and on our website.   Much of the equipment is already on site, including $15,000 of solar panels.  Labor will be free—Robin continues at Karanambu through August 2010.  She is also holding regular Solar Classes, which have been very well attended, as shown in the photo at right.  As a result, Robin has already identified several volunteers from Karanambu, Massara, and Kwaimatta who would like to help with the installation for hands-on experience.  What we need are the deep cycle batteries, a battery charger, and wiring.  The total cost of these supplies is $10,000.

 

A new solar power system will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of both the Trust and Lodge, and take advantage of plentiful sunlight; improve the safety of electricity by correcting wiring problems; eliminate both air and noise pollution caused by the generator, which will, in turn, improve the guest experience and limit the negative impact on the environment; and, provide power 24 hours a day, allowing guests to charge their batteries and cameras, staff to run power equipment for repairs as needed, and refrigeration to be maintained.  Most importantly, it will serve as a model—a solar educational tool—for our neighbors.  Solar is already expected to serve as the primary source of power in the North Rupununi communities and the equipment is more available and affordable.  Yet few people have the knowledge required to service and maintain this vital new resource. 

 

2.  Giant Otter Care Rehabilitation and Monitoring Program $10,000

Diane McTurk, shown in the photo to the right, is one of the few giant otter experts in the world.  Over the last 25 years, with the help of staff and volunteers, she has successfully rescued and rehabilitated over 45 giant otters – most were taken in illegally as pets or for the wildlife trade.  The annual cost of this effort is $10,000.

o   Supplies: $1000, for milk formula, towels, cleaning supplies.

o   Boat Fuel: $1000, for monitoring orphans and wild otters

o   Maintenance: $800, for giant otter pens

o   Volunteer Support: $7200 for per diem ($20 day) to the Karanambu Lodge Inc.

The goal of otter rehabilitation at Karanambu has always been to give the orphans a chance to return to the wild.  Many have—about 80%.  Of those, about half have been seen again.  Karanambu’s most recent pair of orphaned giant otters, Phillip and Belle, shown in the photo to the left spent over a year-and-a-half in Diane’s care.  As cubs, they were nurtured and loved.  As young otters, they were given the freedom to fish and swim in the Rupununi River with careful supervision to protect them from caiman, and, to some extent, people.  In April 2011, the pair went off with a wild male otter.  Phillip returned the next day without Belle, an occasion marked by a mixture of joy and sadness, as it appears she may have found a new family.

 

The role of the volunteer is to help Diane in any way needed.  The duties vary depending on the age of the orphan and the time of year; in dry season, wild otters can be easily monitored. Volunteers also visit area schools and explain to children that otter cubs should be left in their holts; it is illegal to take them as pets; and, that seeing giant otters in the wild is one of the reasons tourists visit from far away. 

3.  Jaguar Monitoring Study $10,000

Karanambu’s resident conservation biologist, Dr. Evi Paemelaere, launched her jaguar monitoring study in February of 2011 with funding from Panthera.org, and almost immediately captured her first camera-trap photo of a wild jaguar, shown on the right, about a mile from Karanambu Lodge.  She has also captured photos of ocelot and margay, two smaller and equally beautiful cats.  But her funding is set to last just 6 months.  Given Evi’s early success and proven talent as a field biologist, we hope to continue her study for at least a full year is a top priority.  Importantly, one of Evi’s goals is to train members of the local community at Karanambu as well as the nearby villages of Massara and Kwaimatta to check camera traps and record data so that, in the future, she can monitor the project from a distance.  The information can be uploaded to a computer database.  The cost of supplies and a very modest per diem for Evi for an additional 6 months is $8500.  An additional $1500 would provide enough funds to pay Karanambu staff to continue this important project in to early 2012.

 

4.  Freshwater Fish and Water Quality Studies—River Transport $10,000

The North Rupununi is a biological hotspot—especially for fish.  There may be as many as 700 species of freshwater fish in this region, more than anywhere in the world.  The rivers, streams, swamps, and flooded savannas also provide several critical ecosystem services, including the provision of food, water, and climate regulation.  Karanambu sits roughly in the middle.  Now is the time to establish baseline parameters for fish diversity and water quality that will serve as a starting point for monitoring biodiversity at Karanambu and as a measure of the impact of development which, unfortunately, is likely to include water pollution and declining fish populations.  In February 2011, the Trust agreed to partner with the Shedd Aquarium, based in Chicago, USA, to begin a multi-year study of fish diversity and water quality at Karanambu.  These visiting scientists will of course bring the supplies and funding they need to do their work.  Our responsibility is to provide them with the logistical support needed to carry out their work, including transportation on the river. At present, the Trust does not own its own boat and engine.  Our goal is to purchase these, but to buy solar powered models. 

 

5.  2011 Karanambu Trust One-Health Conservation Short Course $6000

The goal of the new “Karanambu Trust One-Health Conservation Short Course” series, coordinated by Trustee Dr. Lucy Spelman, and held in partnership with the Bina Hill Institute/North Rupununi District Development Board, is to introduce students to a novel, more holistic approach to ecosystem protection and management.  Studies in one-health conservation are designed to examine the many connections between humans, animals, and the environment, identify problems that result from these interactions, and find solutions that benefit all three. 

Students will work together to gather the information needed to devise solutions to real-life conservation challenges in Guyana.  The results will be used to inform conservation management plans, including those designed to promote sustainable businesses such as eco tourism.  The estimated cost of the first short 5-day course for 25 students for 2 days of lecture at Bina Hill and 3 days of practical sessions at Karanambu, with breakfast, lunch and transportation provided is $6000 based upon the following breakdown:

o   Student transportation: $1500, or $20/day per student x 25 x 3 days for trips between Bina Hill

o   Student meals: $2500, or $20/day per student x 25 x 5 days for breakfast and lunch

o   Instructor travel: $2000, includes airfare for one international and at least one national instructor

 

6.  Plastic/Wood Chipper for Waste Management at Karanambu $2000

In March 2011, Edwin Richards, a water purification and waste management expert with the US Peace Corp Respond Program, began a 6-month stay at Karanambu.  By April, he had explored options for plastic bottle and bag disposal at Karanambu.  Instead of burning the plastic, his recommendation is to purchase a wood chipper capable of chipping plastic, which could then be buried.  Additionally, this equipment could be used to create mulch from leaves, yard waste, and palm ferns for the gardens and plantings at Karanambu.  The cost of this equipment plus shipping to Karanambu is $2000. 

 

7.  Vehicle for Karanambu Trust Scientists and Educators $10,000

Transportation is notoriously difficult in the Rupununi and a working 4-wheel drive vehicle is essential.  The Trust has benefited from donated vehicles in the past, but does not have one at the present time.  Instead, volunteers working for the Trust rely on the Lodge vehicle when available.  Since a second vehicle would not necessarily be in constant use by Trust staff, and would very likely be in high demand by the Lodge, one idea is for the Trust to purchase a (used) vehicle, and then lease it to the Lodge.  This would ensure that there are also adequate funds for mechanical maintenance as well as repairs, which would lengthen the lifespan of the vehicle.  The cost of a used Land Rover is $10,000.

 

8.  Internet charges $3000

The Internet is a vital tool not only for the managers and staff of the Lodge and Trust, but also for visiting students, scientists, and educators as a source of information, and for logistical coordination of various activities, including local travel and meetings.  To date, the Lodge has paid for satellite Internet access for all guests.  Going forward, the Trust must raise these funds.

 

9.  Karanambu Trust Organizational Support for In-country Travel $4000

The Karanambu Trust Board of Trustees is committed to establishing a world-class charity that draws on international support but is, fundamentally, Guyanese.  We have committed to holding all of our meetings in either Georgetown or at Karanambu, yet not every board member has the funds to attend such meetings in person.  We are also building our network of contacts within Guyana for fundraising, and yet travel costs within country are significant.  This request, $4000, would cover the costs of in-country travel for Trustees for the purposes of raising funds.

 

10.  Karanambu Windmill Repairs: Wind Power to Augment Solar $500

The steady breeze at Karanambu ran a water pump for many years until repairs became increasingly difficult.  With the appropriate parts shipped to Guyana from California, the Karanambu Windmill can once again spin—and provide a second source of eco-friendly power.

 

Donations can be made by

Mailing a check made out to The Karanambu Trust to:

Dawn McTurk

               Assistant Treasurer

Karanambu Trust

102 Issano Place East

Bel Air Park

Georgetown, Guyana

 

Please note on the check the intended use - 1 of 10 above, or unrestricted.

Prepared by,

Lucy H. Spelman

Secretary and Trustee, Karanambu Trust

Rupununi, Guyana, South America