July 2022

The rainy season has thrown storms and torrential rain at us here at Sophia Point, but we’ve continued to make progress. Read on for a quick update on renovations, research and new projects from the past month. 

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Renovations at Sophia Point

Despite the rain we’ve been busy making improvements to the site at Sophia Point. A team of local Barticians, led by caretaker Rodwell Mackey and his sons, have worked wonders to modernise the facilities, improve the staff accommodation and  install a fuel and storage outhouse. 

These steps all help set the foundations for the site ahead of construction of the main centre due to begin later this year.

We’re particularly happy with the colour of the staff accommodation! 

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Sophia Point joins the World Weather Network

We are delighted to join the World Weather Network, a global alliance of 28 arts and science agencies formed in response to the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. The network represents a worldwide group of artists and writers reporting on their weather and our climate.

We see it as essential to work beyond the traditional sciences and embrace all disciplines in the effort to tackle the climate crisis. Using art, storytelling, language, and science to communicate the importance of weather and the  challenges the planet is facing is a key part of our mission. 

Find out more about the World Weather Network here.

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Study on the impacts of gold mining

Sean Glynn, and his fellow researcher Jean Hercé, spent over 3 months at Sophia Point conducting fieldwork for Sean’s PhD. The Kent University researchers were, for extended periods of time, deep in mining areas around nearby Karrau community, examining the biodiversity in abandoned mine sites. Their work hopes to gather a better understanding of the impacts of gold mining - the biggest driver of deforestation in Guyana – and natural regeneration rates. 

Sophia Point was a base for these two who were able to sort and identify specimens, log their field data, catch-up with the outside world, and dry their soggy gear! We learnt a huge amount from them both, wish them all the best in the next stage, and hope they will return soon.

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Join the club! 

Sophia Point’s social media accounts on both Instagram and Facebook are the best place to keep up to date with our progress. Follow for insights into the wildlife and activities on the Essequibo river.

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Next steps for Sophia Point

With the finishing touches to the renovation work ongoing we are excited to be welcoming researchers back to the site and to see the designs for the centre really come to life. We have a busy few months ahead as we develop the plans and push to raise the vital funding. 

If you are interested in more information, future research or supporting the work of Sophia Point then please do get in touch!

May 2022

As the rainy season kicks in we wanted to update you on another busy period for the team.

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World-first research at Sophia Point

We were delighted to host our first PhD student, Beth Cowling, from Heriot Watt University and support her exciting study of water carbon in the Essequibo river. Her work analysing invisible carbon flows represents a first for the Essequibo river and it has been great being involved in a collaboration which spans the Guyana from Iwokrama, to Saxacalli, to the ocean. 

We will miss the daily sample trips (in rain and sun) from Sophia Point!

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Learning from Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a destination for leading environmental research. Centre Director, Sam Airey, has just returned from a trip to meet with and learn from those who have pioneered collaborative field research in the country. 

Along with architect Marcel, they were able to visit a number of field stations, taking invaluable lessons from design to operation to how to deal with highly venomous Fer-de-Lance snakes.

A huge thank you to Campanario Biological Station, La Gamba Tropenstation, Bijagual Ecological Reserve and La Selva Research Station for their hospitality and willingness to share from their decades of experience. (And to Miranda for the translations).

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Sophia Point on social media

Sophia Point’s social media accounts on both Instagram and Facebook have just gone live. Click the icons below and follow us for updates and insights into the wildlife and activities on the Essequibo river!

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Next steps

The team are now preparing for renovations to the staff quarters, moving forward with the next stage of designs for the Sophia Point centre and continuing the all-important local stakeholder consultation work. 

If you are interested in more information, future research or supporting the work of Sophia Point then get in touch.

April 2022

Welcome to the first update from the Sophia Point Rainforest Project. We will use this blog to provide updates on our progress toward building a transformative education, research and conservation organisation in Guyana.

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Partnership with the University of Guyana

In December 2021, Sophia Point and the University of Guyana celebrated the signing of a 10-year partnership aimed at supporting students to access and better understand Guyana’s biodiversity. Vice Chancellor Dr Paloma Mohamed spoke of her excitement for the future collaboration between the two organisations. You can watch the full session here.

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Leading Guyanese experts join the Board, and Mackey joins the team

Sophia Point is delighted to add two new trustees with decades of experience to the board.

Dr Gyanpriya Maharaj is a leading ecologist in Guyana and the current Director of the Center for the Study of Biological Diversity. She will act as a critical link between Guyanese students and practitioners and the Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre.

Mr René Edwards is the Director of Field Implementation at Conservation International, Guyana and brings a depth of experience in community engagement to Sophia Point. He will play a vital role supporting Sophia Point’s aims to link local with global and to humanise science.

Rodwell Mackey, a Bartica native, has joined the team as the new caretaker and boat driver at Sophia Point. A carpenter, former soldier and all-round handy man - as well as laying a claim to being the most popular man in Bartica - Mackey is already proving an asset to the Sophia Point team.

Priya, René, and Mackey

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Community introductions

Co-founder David Lammy and Director Sam Airey made their first introductions with important local partners.

Regional Democratic Chairman, Kenneth Williams, was delighted by the prospect of Sophia Point supporting Bartica’s vision to become a sustainable town. River’s View village leader (Toshao), Melena Pollard, spoke of her hope that Sophia Point can help inspire young people from surrounding communities to continue their education beyond high school.

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Next steps for Sophia Point

Thanks to the immense support from funders and partners over the last 18 months, Sophia Point is now ready for the next phase of delivering on its mission: to transform education and conservation of Guyana’s rainforest.

Centre Director, Sam Airey, has now moved to Guyana to oversee the establishment and construction fo the centre on site. With the purchase of our Sophia Point boat, the arrival of PhD students, and field trips on the horizon, the future is busy and exciting for the Sophia Point team!