And other September 2022 updates…

Internet reaches the jungle!

The off-grid quiet of Sophia Point is part of what makes the site so special, but it also comes with challenges. Internet is an important tool in modern research and so the team worked together with DG Network, a local internet service provider, to bring WiFi to the jungle. 

This entailed a lot of teamwork to erect a 30+ft pole from a hot zinc roof and patience to get the right angle for the receiver to pick up a signal. Luckily, the hard work paid off and Sophia Point is now connected to the outside world.

University of Guyana academics visit Sophia Point

We were delighted to host a group of lecturers and faculty from the University of Guyana at the Sophia Point site. The group, including our trustee Gyanpriya Maharaj, represented biology, forestry, and natural science faculties.

The day visit was an opportunity to share designs for the facilities, discuss future research opportunities and explore the newly cleared trails. This marked the next step as we begin to deliver on the 10-year partnership formed between the two organisations in December last year. We already have exiting plans forming for student trips, research projects and community engagement.

We are grateful for the insights of all who attended.

Trail clearing

Local Amerindian guide, Desmond Braithwaite, and Director Sam Airey have been out in the forest marking out and developing the trails at Sophia Point. The aim is to make the surrounding forests accessible, improving safety and navigation of the routes, whilst minimising clearing and impact

Whilst establishing the trails they also took the opportunity to set camera traps and will return next month to check what wildlife has been recorded at Sophia Point.

Water scientist returns to Sophia Point

Water scientist, Beth Cowling, returned for the next phase of her PhD research exploring the carbon stored in the Essequibo river. The Heriot-Watt University student visited Sophia Point for a second spell of data collection and analysis. 

Beth’s research contributes to the wider BOOGIE project (Breathing Oceans: understanding the organic skin that modulates the exchange of greenhouse gases between the atmosphere and the ocean), which is funded by the European Research Council under the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. This is a first of its kind assessment on the Essequibo river.

It was a pleasure to facilitate Beth’s work over the past few months, including daily trips out on the river, and we look forward to learning more from her results in the field as her PhD progresses.

Spotlight on funder - Oak Foundation

As an environmental education and research charity, Sophia Point, couldn’t exist without the generous support and individuals and organisations alike.

This month, we are spotlighting one of those organisations: the Oak Foundation. Sophia Point was lucky to receive a 5-year commitment of support from the Oak Foundation to support us in improving local access to conservation and environmental education in Guyana.

We are excited to continue working with these like-minded partners who understand the value of conservation and local education.

Thank you Oak Foundation!