South Rupununi Conservation Society wins major environmental award 

The South Rupununi Conservation Society won the prestigious St Andrews Prize for the Environment for its ‘Transforming Environmental Education in Guyana’ project.

This global award, presented annually by the University of St Andrews, recognises innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

In a Facebook post, it was noted that the award was received by Alyssa Melville, the SRCS’s Environmental Education Coordinator. Each year, only one winner is selected, with the winner receiving 95, 000USD.

“To be awarded this global prize is not just an achievement, but a powerful affirmation of the work being done right here in Guyana,” the Society said in the post.

It further noted that since 2018, what began as a vision has grown into something truly transformative. The SRCS’s Environmental Education model, developed for children aged 8 to 18, blends scientific learning with Indigenous knowledge and connects education to culture, community, and the natural world. Over two years, students learn about their environment and are then empowered to design and lead their own citizen science projects. Today, the SRCS noted, this initiative has reached more than 2000 students across over 20 communities in Region 9.

“Because of this collective effort, the model is already expanding beyond the South Rupununi into Regions 1, 4, and 6, with the aim of developing a national environmental education curriculum for Guyana, and a guide that can support communities around the world.

“This award is not the end of the journey. It strengthens our commitment to continue the work and expand its reach. It shows that community led approaches are effective, that Indigenous knowledge has real value, and that when young people are given the opportunity, they are capable of leading meaningful change. Most of all, it is a celebration of the Rupununi, once again showing Guyana and the world what is possible,” the post stated further.