Guyra Paraguay
NGO Founded: 1997
Partnership Formed: 2004
Organisation’s aim: To protect areas throughout Paraguay, safeguarding varied habitats and species across the country. Guyra Paraguay’s work with local communities is very important to the organisation, as it is committed to creating a sustainable future for both wildlife and local people.
Partner history
Guyra Paraguay was formed by a group of individuals concerned about destruction of Paraguay's habitats; they resolved to create an organisation with the aim of preserving bird species in Paraguay. They chose to focus on birds as important indicators of overall biodiversity.
Partnership with WLT
Guyra Paraguay's partnership with the WLT began when the organisation's Executive Director, Alberto Yanosky, visited the WLT offices in 2004. An official partnership was formed and the organisations have undertook innovative conservation projects together.
Work with WLT
Chaco/Pantanal Project
WLT has funded land purchase and protection in the Chaco-Pantanal, Atlantic Rainforest and Dry Chaco.
Keepers of the Wild
Guyra Paraguay help protect and manage over two and half million acres of threatened habitats throughout Paraguay. WLT was instrumental in helping them achieve this and is now supporting their efforts through the Keepers of the Wild appeal, putting more reserve rangers in the field to help safeguard this vast area.
Tree Planting
WLT supported reforestation at the San Rafael reserve in 2007 and 2008.
Paraguay Forest Conservation Project
WLT and Guyra Paraguay are working in collaboration to develop an innovative REDD+ project to help tackle the country’s large-scale deforestation.
Other projects and activities
- Developing databases in order to identify species conservation priorities, including mapping Important Bird Areas (IBAs);
- Identifying and prioritising sites of greatest conservation importance in Paraguay;
- Monitoring the fragmentation of the main eco-regions in Paraguay, including Atlantic Rainforest, Cerrado, Misiones’ Grasslands, Pantanal, and Chaco;
- Integrating social and economic development with ecological requirements in areas of conservation importance;
- Undertaking environmental education throughout Paraguay;
- Providing access to a field station, the Three Giants Lodge, for university students studying conservation.
Awards and acheivements
2007: Recognised as one of the Top Paraguayan Institutions of the year by Ultima Hora, one of the country’s leading newspapers, for their struggle to protect biodiversity often in great adversity.
2008: Received a Partnership Award at the BirdLife Awards.
Executive Director: Alberto Yanosky
Sir David Attenborough, WLT Patron
