Guyana Invests $360K in Youth-Led Forest Restoration

The town of Linden, Guyana gets every drop of its drinking water from a single source: the Dakoura Creek watershed. Now, a new partnership is putting $360,000 and the power of youth participation behind efforts to restore and protect this vital forest ecosystem.

Guyana Power and Light signed the agreement with the Guyana Forestry Commission in December 2025 to launch reforestation work in the Dakoura area. The watershed spans roughly 13 kilometers long by 7 kilometers wide and delivers approximately 52 million cubic meters of freshwater annually to Linden residents.

But this project goes beyond just planting trees. Young people are taking active roles in the restoration efforts, bringing fresh energy and long-term commitment to protecting their community's water supply.

The Dakoura Creek supports far more than drinking water alone. Its rich biodiversity underpins tourism, agriculture, and sustainable forestry opportunities that fuel the local economy.

Community stakeholders helped develop the watershed management plan back in 2018 through Guyana Water Incorporated. That groundwork created a foundation for this new reforestation initiative to build upon.

The Ripple Effect

When young people lead environmental restoration, the benefits multiply across generations. These youth participants gain hands-on experience in forestry management and environmental stewardship while directly protecting the resources their community depends on.

The project creates a living classroom where the next generation learns to balance economic development with ecological preservation. Skills developed through reforestation work can translate into careers in environmental management, sustainable tourism, and conservation science.

As these young leaders grow into adults, they'll carry forward both the technical knowledge and the personal investment in protecting Dakoura Creek. Their children will inherit not just a restored watershed, but also a culture of environmental responsibility.

The $360,000 investment tackles immediate reforestation needs while building local capacity for long-term forest stewardship. This approach recognizes that sustainable environmental management requires community ownership, especially from those who will live with the results for decades to come.

Young voices are shaping how Guyana protects the forests that protect its people.