Saxacalli Rainforest Centre

RAINFOREST CENTRE

The EMC Foundation was established in 2022 by Mr. Shyam Nokta to support environmental awareness and education in Guyana, with focus on youths. The drive for this initiative was influenced by the evolution of environmental issues over the last three decades and their importance in today’s national and global context.

OUR MISSION Motivating action through greater environmental awareness and education in Guyana.

Experience

Connect

Act

Promote and facilitate activities to encourage a better understanding about the environment.

Create a network to connect people on environmental issues.

Provide opportunities to experience Guyana’s natural environment.

Saxacalli Village

Escape from the Mundane “Saxacalli” translated from the Arawak language,

Mainly comprised of Arawaks at the time, the

means kingfisher. The area was named Saxacalli

community was a likely trading partner with the

by the Awarak people because of the abundance

Europeans who had set up trading posts at Fort

of kingfisher birds found there. While it is still

Island and Kyk Over-Al. Presently, Saxacalli is a

unclear how long the village has been in

predominantly mixed community with Arawak,

exitance, anthropologists believe it has been

Coastlander (migrants from Guyana's coast), and

present since the first Dutch settlements along

Carib residents.

the Essequibo River around the 16th century.

Top: Aerial View of Saxacalli Village and Benab by the Beach. Bottom: View of Fort Island.

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Saxacalli Rainforest Centre Sa Ra xac Ce info alli nt re re st

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Rainforest Reserve dedicated to Biodiversity Research The Saxacalli Rainforest Centre (SRC) is a private

As a result, they were denied opportunities to

rainforest reserve dedicated to biodiversity

experience and conduct research in Guyana's

research, education, and awareness.

diverse ecosystems. To bridge this gap, Mr. Nokta sought to find an area close to Georgetown with

As an Environmental Science student at the

natural forests which could accommodate student

University of Guyana, Environmental Management

research, rainforest education and awareness, and

Consultants Inc. (EMC) Managing Director Shyam

recreation.

Nokta recognized that students were unable to afford the high costs of visiting natural sites, such as Shell Beach and Kaieteur Falls.

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Top: Aerial View of SRC. Bottom: SRC Deck and Main Lodge.

The unique cultural and ecological diversity of

The Saxacalli Rainforest Centre offers a unique

the Saxacalli area convinced Mr Nokta to secure a

opportunity for students, researchers, and

lease for approximately 75 acres of rainforest,

persons with an interest in nature to study the

adjacent to the Essequibo River. From humble

environment, explore the tropical rainforest, and

beginnings, today, the Saxacalli Rainforest

enjoy the sun, sand, and waters of the Essequibo.

Centre is one of Guyana's first private nature reserves.

A large pine tree, over 60 feet tall, planted by an

Top: Aerial View of SRC. From left: Entrance to SRC, 60 Foot Pine Tree, and Camera Trap Orientation with Students. Bottom: Bromeliad Flower found at Saxacalli.

early European who was present in the area in the 1960s serves as the Centre's landmark.

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More than just a Stay

Experience a Serene Environment The Saxacalli Rainforest Centre offers an

The best option of course, is simply relaxing in a

immersive experience with a variety of hands-on

hammock under the shade of overhanging

activities.

vegetation and enjoying the beautiful view of the

The extensive beach stretches to approximately

mighty Essequibo River.

100 meters and provides more than enough space

The Centre has unique hiking trails through the

for swimming, boat rides, and sports such as

rainforest, where adventurous guests can explore

cricket, volleyball, and football.

the pristine nature reserve.

Top: SRC Beach Front and Entrance to the SRC Lodge.

Bottom: Sunset from the SRC Deck.

One can also go on canoe rides to nearby creeks, fish, bird watch, and enjoy the traditional wabanee experience with local guides.

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than MoreMoreJust than a Stay

Just a Sta

Top: Aerial View of Saxacalli Rainforest and Essequibo River.

From Left: Guest Relaxing in Hammock, Mora Trees in the Reserve, Hiking in the SRC Trails, and SRC Manager Holding Monkey Pot.

Visitors can also go to the Saxacalli village or Saxacalli Mission as it is referred to, an Arawak community on the left bank of the Essequibo.

There one can interact with community members and purchase local handicrafts.

The Saxacalli experience is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of city life and guarantees a well-deserved stay with opportunistic wildlife sightings.

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Rich in Biodiversity Floral Diversity in Saxacalli The forest is Mora or swamp forest, characterized by a mixture of clay, loam, and brown sand soils that support an interesting variety of flora, including commercial timber species such as greenheart, kabacalli, crabwood, and mora.

The ecosystem also includes a unique mix of epiphytes or air plants such as orchids, which grow on the surface of other plants for physical support but derive moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water, or debris accumulating around it. Other non-timber forest products include cufa, mucru, and palms such as the ite, courru, and kokerite.

Top Right: Bromeliad Plant. From Bottom Left: Towering Mora Tree, Vanda Ochid and Cufa Flower.

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Faunal Diversity in Saxacalli The faunal diversity of Saxacalli includes the agouti, deer, tapir, wild hog, armadillo, yellow-footed turtles, jaguars, ocelots, sloths, squirrel monkeys, capuchin, and howler monkeys. The area is also home to several fish species such as basha, dogfish, tigerfish, lungfish, and haimara, among others.

The bird diversity at Saxacalli is one of its most unique features. It includes vultures, hawks, falcons, currasows, hummingbirds, kingfishers, jacamars, woodpeckers, toucans, macaws, and parrots.

Top Right: Capuchin Monkey. From Bottom Left: Giant Ant Eater, Ocelot and Currasow

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Ideal for Research

Hub of Biodiversity Research The Saxacalli Rainforest Centre is strategically located in a region of Guyana with rich cultural and historical heritage and understudied ecosystems, which makes it ideal for social, anthropological, and biodiversity research.

The Centre has collaborated with various groups and organizations such as Iwokrama, the Ecotrust Society, and the University of Guyana to facilitate both research and relaxation.

The Centre is close to heritage sites such KykOver-Al, Fort Zeelandia, and the Court of Policy, which presents a wide range of archaeological and anthropological opportunities for research.

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The Centre's proximity to premier tourism sites along the Essequibo River and its surrounding forests offers opportunities to research the nexus between eco-tourism and the environment.

Access to the Saxacalli Mission can also provide insight into sustainable community practices, resource use, and community dynamics.

Over the years, the wider area has been influenced by extractive industries and this also presents an opportunity to study impacts to the forests, biodiversity, and the watershed.

Top: View of Essequibo River from SRC and a Picture of the Agouti taken by Camera Trap. Bottom: Aerial View of the Saxacalli Rainforest.

Key Research Projects Drone Deployment for Data Collection A unique research has been conducted at the Saxacalli Rainforest Centre to study the use of drone technology for camera trap data collection. Unlike traditional camera trapping methods that require researchers to retrieve data physically, drone technology enables wireless data transfer.

This method is efficient and minimizes researchers' impact on the environment, reducing ecosystem disturbance and the overall data collection cost. It also creates opportunities to monitor previously inaccessible areas, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the region's ecology.

Furthermore, the ease of deployment and retrieval of data reduces the risk of harm to the researcher.

The study demonstrates the transformative potential of drone technology in environmental research. The method's continuous monitoring capability, time and cost efficiency, ease of deployment and data retrieval, and the ability to minimize environmental impact present a compelling alternative to traditional camera trapping methods.

This research contributes significantly to the field of environmental management and conservation, providing a viable approach for future research and monitoring efforts in hard-to-navigate areas. It has the potential to revolutionize environmental monitoring in Guyana and the region.

Top Right: Drone in Flight. From Bottom Left: SRC Manager Inspecting Camera Trap, Camera Trap Deployed at SRC, and Drone Shot of SRC.

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Collaboration with Iwokrama on Biodiversity Research The Centre has hosted biodiversity research exercises by EMC Inc, a Guyanese environmental consultancy firm, in collaboration with the Iwokrama International Centre. A joint team participated in camera trapping research and training to monitor mammalian life in the Saxacalli area. The exercise, conducted from September 20 to 22, 2021, is part of a larger initiative from the Bioamazon Project to monitor fauna and flora species as part of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO).

Personnel from the Saxacalli Rainforest Centre were trained to set up camera traps and carry out camera trapping. The research focused on the abundance of tapir, and yellowfooted and red-footed tortoises in the area. It also informed a wider Iwokrama and Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) project, which monitors the diversity and abundance of wildlife in .Guyana.

Much of the biodiversity in the Saxacalli area remains undiscovered. Over the years, opportunistic visits by researchers and students have helped compile a list of the known species. However, this is scratching the surface of what is yet to be discovered.

The Saxacalli Rainforest Centre is keen to work with students and researchers to learn more about this important ecosystem and its biodiversity and welcomes the opportunity to partner and conduct research.

Top Right: Aerial View of SRC. From Bottom Left: Retrieving Data from Camera Trap, Biodiversity Research at SRC, and Yellow Footed Tortoises.

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Biodiversity PROFILE

Forest Type:

Mora or swamp forest

Soil Type:

Clay, Loam, Brown Sand

Special Listings:

Botany, Mammalogy, Ornithology, Ichthyology, Entomology, Herpetology

Botany Plants Common Name

Scientific Name

Family

Green heart Kabukalli Crabwood Mora Ite, couruu, kokerite

Chlorocardium rodiei Goupia glabra Carapa guianensis Mora excelsa Palmae

Lauraceae Celastraceae Meliaceae Caesalpiniaceae Palmaceae

Non-Timber Forest Products Cufa Mukru Orchid

Clusiaceae Myrintaceae Orchidaceae

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Mammalogy (Animals) Common Name

Scientific Name

Family

Labba Deer Tapir Wildhog Agouti Armadillo Jaguar Ocelot Sloths

Agouti paca Tapirus terrestris Peccaries Dasyprocta leporinus agouti Dasypodidae Panthera Onca Leopardus Pardalis Choloepus didactylus Bradypus tridactylus Saimiri sciureus Cebus apella Alouatta seniculus Leopardus tigrinus

Agoutidae Cervidae Tapiridae Tayassuidae Dasyproctidae Dasypodidae Felidae Felidae Bradydipodidae/ Megalonychidae Cebidae Cebidae Cebidae Felidae

Nasua Saguinus midas Pithecia

Procyonidae Callitrichidae.

Pitheciidae

Chiropotes satanas Pitheciidae

Pitheciidae Phyllostomidae Molossidae

Squirrel Monkey Capuchin Monkey Howler Monkey Oncilla Forest Rats Coati Golden Handed Tamarin Guianan/ white faced saki Brown Bearded Saki Vampire Bats Mollosid / Free tailed bat

Ornithology (Birds)

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Common Name

Scientific Name

Family

King vulture Black vulture Turkey vulture Lesser yellow head Swallow tailed kite Grey hawk Yellow headed caracara Red throated caracara Gray tinamou Variegated tinamou Little chachalaca Marial guan Spix's guan Black curassow Marbled wood-quail Grey winged trumpeter Grey necked woodrail Sun bittern Green ibis Ruddy pigeon White tipped dove Ruddy quail dove

Sacroramphus papa Coragyps atratus Cathartes aura Cathartes burrovianus Elanoides forficatus Buteo nitidus Milvago chimachima Daptrius americanus Tinamus tao Crypturellus variegatus Ortalis motmot Penelope marail Penelope jacqucau Crax alector Odontophorous gujanensis Psophia crepitans Aramides cajanea Eurypyga helias Mesembrinibis cayennensis Columba subvinacea Leptotila verreauxi Geotrygon montana

Cathartidae cathartidae Cathartidae Cathartidae Accipitridae Accipitridae Falconidae Falconidae Tinamidae Tinamidae Cracidae Cracidae Cracidae Cracidae Phasianidae Psophiidae Rallidae Eurypygidae Threskiornithidae Columbidae Columbidae Columbidae

Common Name

Scientific Name

Family

Ferruginous pygmy owl Barn owl Long tailed hermit White chested emerald Glittering throated hummingbird Gray breasted sabrewing Pygmy kingfisher Ringed kingfisher Blue crowned motmot Yellow-billed jacamar Green tailed jacamar Cream coloured woodpecker Ringed woodpecker Crimson-crested woodpecker Red-necked woodpecker Plain brown woodcreeper Wedge billed woodcreeper Buff throated woodcreeper Curved billed scythebill

Glaucidium brasilianum Tyto alba Phaethornis lonngpennis Anthracothorax nigricollis Amazilia fimibriata

Strididae Strididae Trochilidae Trochilidae Trochilidae

Camplopterus largipennis Chloroceryle aenea

Trochilidae Alcedinidae

Motmotus momota Galbula albirostris Galbula Celeus flavus

Motmotidae Galbulidae Galbulidae Picidae

Celeus torquatus Campephilus melanopeucos Campephilus rubricolllis

Picidae Picidae

Dendrocincla fuliginosa

Dendrocolapidae

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Dendrocolapidae

Xiphorhynchus guttatus

Dendrocolapidae

Campylorhamphus procurvoides Ara ararauna Ara chloroptera Ara manilata Ara nobilis Pionus mentruus Pionus fuscus Deroptyus acciptrinus Amazona amazonica Amazona farinosa Aratinga pertinax

Dendrocolapidae

Forpus sclateri Pionopsitta caica Pionites melanocepahlus Rhamphastos vitellinus Rhamphastos tucanus Pteroglossus aracari Automolus sp.

Sakephorus canadensis Thamnophilus doliatus Myrmotherula axillaris Thamnophilus murinus

Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Ramphastidae Ramphastidae Ramphastidae Furnaridae Thamnophillidae Thamnophillidae Thamnophillidae Thamnophillidae

Blue and yellow macaw Red and green macaw Red bellied macaw Red-shouldered macaw Blue headed parrot Dusky parrot Red fan parrot Orange winged parrot Mealy parrot Brown throated parakeet Parrotlet Caica parrot Black headed parrot Channel-billed toucan Red-billed toucan Black necked aracaris Foliage gleaner Black crested antshrike Barred antshrike White flanked antwren Mouse coloured antshrike

Picidae

Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Pscittacidae Pscittacidae

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Common Name

Scientific Name

Family

Rufous throated antbird White-plumed antbird Great kiskadee Lesser kiskadee Rusty margined flycatcher Tropical king bird White ringed flycatcher Yellow bellied elania White crowned manakin Golden crowned manakin White fronted manakin Crimson hooded manakin Screaming piha White naped xenopsaris Southern house wren White necked thrush Torquoise tanagers Burnish buff tanager Silver beaked tanager Blue grey tanager Palm tanager Violaceous euphonia Purple honeycreeper Banna dacnis Green oropendola Yellow rumped cacique Moriche oriole Lesser seed finch

Gymnopithys rufigula pithys albifrons Pithangus sulphuratus Pithangus lictor Myiozetetes cayanensis

Formicariidae Formicariidae Tyrannidae Tyrannidae Tyrannidae

Tyrranus melancholicus Conopius parva Elania flavogaster Dixiphia pipra Pipra erythrocephala

Tyrannidae Tyrannidae Tyrannidae Pipridae Pipridae

Pipra serena Pipra aueola

Pipridae Pipridae

Lipaugus vociferans Xenopsaris albinucha

Cotingidae Cotingidae Troglodytidae Turdidae Thraupidae Thraupidae Thraupidae Thraupidae Thraupidae Thraupidae Thraupidae Thraupidae Icteridae Icteridae Icteridae Emberizidae

Turdus albicollis Tangara mexicana Tangara cayana Ramphocelus carbo Thraupis episcopus Thraupis palmarum Ephonia violacea Cyanerpes caeruleus Coereba flaveola Psacocolius viridis Cacicus cela Icterus chrysocephalus Oryzoborous angolensis

Ichthyology (Fish) Common Name

Scientific Name

Family

Catarback Pacu Baira fry Haimara

Myleus rhombadalli Colossoma sp.

Hydrolysus arnatus Hoplias aimara / macroputhalmus Plagioscion sqamasissimus Doras sp.

Acestrorhynchus Hydrolycus scomberodes Hoplosternum littorale Hydrocynus vittatus Dipnoi

Characidae Characidae Characidae Erythrinidae

Basha Cumma Dogfish Biara Hassar Tiger fish Lung fish

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Sciaenidae

Doradidae Alestidae

Herpetology (Frogs, Lizards, Snakes, and Turtles) Researchers: Tokoye Biology and Conservation Club

Date: June 27 to July 1, 2003

Common Names

Scientific Names

Family

White Lipped Frog Tree frog Cane Toad Frog Lizard Amazon Racerunner Lizard Turnip tailed Gecko Parrot snake Camacushi Bush master Labaria Hymerali (Coral snake) Yellow- footed turtle Leaf Litter toad Glass Frogs Poison Dart frogs Rainbow Boa Emerald Boa

Leptodactylus sp.

Leptodactylidae Hylidae Bufonidae Hylidae

Bufo marinus Scinax ruba Kentropy sp.

Ameiva

Teidae

Theiadactylus rapicauda Bothriopsis bileniata Chronius sp.

Lachesis muta Bothrops atrox Micrurus surinamensis Ceochelome carbonaria Bufo typhonius Centrolenidae Dendrobatidae Epicrates cenchria Corallus caninus

Gekkonidae Vipiridae Colubridae Vipiridae Vipiridae Elapidae Testeidinidae Bufonidae Dendrobatidae Boidae Boidae

Entomology (Insects) Common Name

Order

Moths and butterflies Beetles Wasps Roaches Grasshoppers Dragonflies Plantbugs

Lepidoptera Coleoptera Hymenoptera Dictyoptera Orthoptera Odonata Hemiptera

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