The Rupununi Learners organization aims to build community learning centers in the Rupununi region of Guyana to preserve local culture and traditions, conserve the environment, and provide economic and educational opportunities. Some of its activities include operating a wildlife club, conducting research on black caimans, developing ecotourism programs, craft businesses, and establishing classroom and village libraries. It is governed by a local executive board and partners with other organizations to support its mission.

1. The mission of is to build and support Community Learning Centers in the Rupununi region.

2. Preserve Culture Conserve Environment Maintain traditional knowledge and skills Protect lands and waters Yupukari Economic opportunity RLI Grow jobs and businesses in the village Educational opportunity Increase literacy in English, technology, science Rupununi Learners is governed by a 100% Yupukari Executive Board that reports to the Village Council. The Manager and staff are from Yupukari. Our activities grow from Village Council directives.

3. Supporting Village Council strategies for Natural Resource Management Planning

4. Nurturing and expanding Yupukari Wildlife Club activities Tree ID Learning about butterfly farming “Best Wildlife Club in Guyana” 2009 “Best Wildlife Club” at 2009 National Wildlife Club Festival Winner of 2009 Ecoclub.com Award

5. Long term mark-recapture study of the Black Caiman since 2005 All Yupukari crew 700 study subjects and counting Presented at Crocodile Specialist Group Conference 2006, 2008, 2010 Funded by Saint Louis Zoo 2005-6 SeaWorld Busch Gardens 2007-8 IUCN 2009-10 RLI 2011

6. Tree Identification building local capacity in natural resource management

7. Partnership with Guyana Amazon Tropical Bird Society (GATBS) has led to 3 new proposed Important Bird Areas for Region 9

8. Economic opportunity “Social Enterprises” for sustainability and growth Ecotourism : Jobs employing villagers Enterprises buying from villagers The Guest House at Caiman House “Rupununi Home” a multi-village business of crafting communities and supplier communities for 3 different markets: Caiman House tourists Lethem shoppers Export via Liana Cane relationship

10. Over 350 visitors per year in 2009 and 2010

11. Expansion into accredited university student groups in 2011

13. Open to all US colleges and universities

14. Funds support spread of community and classroom libraries

15. Creates jobs, increases demand for local goods and services

17. Rewarding habitat conservationin Lethem for export in Lethem

18. Book-based education Yupukari Public Library Classroom libraries 2005 4 Nursery Schools to date Four times larger, 2007 7 Primary Schools to date Under expansion, 2010 4 Village Libraries to date 7 community requests pending

19. Indigenous Knowledge Education Responding to a Village Survey about culture loss IK Youth Camp 2010 Bookmaking since 2007

20. LCDS and other GoG programs Yupukari Ecotourism jobs and enterprises RLI Building capacity for Natural Resource Management