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March 18, 2026
The St Andrews Prize for the Environment has been awarded to the South Rupununi Conservation Society for its project, “Transforming Environmental Education in Guyana,” marking a major global recognition for community-led conservation efforts in the country.
The annual prize, presented by the University of St Andrews, honours innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges worldwide and carries an award of US$95,000.
Environmental Education Coordinator Alyssa Melville accepted the award on March 17, representing the organisation’s work in developing an education model that integrates scientific learning with Indigenous knowledge.
Launched in 2018, the initiative targets students aged eight to 18, equipping them over a two-year period to understand their environment and lead citizen science projects. The programme has reached more than 2,000 students across over 20 communities in Region Nine.
The organisation said the model is already being expanded beyond the South Rupununi to Regions One, Four and Six, with the aim of contributing to a national environmental education curriculum and supporting similar community-based approaches globally.
The society credited its success to collaboration with local stakeholders, including village leaders, educators and students, as well as support from partners such as the South Rupununi District Council, the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission, and the Guyana Marine Conservation Society.
A release noted that the award underscores the value of Indigenous knowledge and community-driven approaches, and strengthens its commitment to expanding the programme’s reach.
