On May 14, 2026 the EMC Foundation conducted an initiation visit to the Abram Zuil Secondary Environmental Club. The session, attended by approximately 28 members, including 3 teachers and club members from Form 4, participated in the activity. The visit served to formally introduce the EMC Foundation team to the club, highlight the importance of Environmental Clubs, and engage students in hands-on learning aligned with the Ecosystems and Biodiversity Conservation Work Plan.
The session began with a lively icebreaker, “Eco-Bingo,” facilitated by Abigail Gobin, Projects Assistant, alongside Sarah Singh, Program Coordinator, Sasha Singh, Intern and Trevor Emmanuel, Field Assistant and Driver. The activity fostered a lively and welcoming atmosphere, helping members feel comfortable while learning fun environmental facts and building connections.
Sarah introduced students to camera traps, explaining their different parts, uses, and applications in wildlife monitoring. Students were then challenged to independently set up their own camera traps, each selecting a target species they hoped to capture.
In addition, the club members were introduced to Global Positioning System (GPS) devices and guided on how to use them to accurately record locations. As part of the practical exercise, students marked and documented the coordinates of the camera trap sites they deployed, reinforcing real-world field monitoring skills.
The club members were introduced to digital biodiversity monitoring tools such as iNaturalist, eBird, and the Merlin Bird ID app, which were demonstrated to students as citizen science platforms for recording and identifying wildlife. Students were shown how iNaturalist can be used to document observations of plants and animals and contribute to global biodiversity databases, while eBird was introduced as a tool for recording bird sightings and supporting large-scale bird monitoring efforts. The Merlin Bird ID app was also demonstrated to assist with bird identification using photos, sounds, and field observations, helping to strengthen students’ species identification skills and encouraging active participation in biodiversity monitoring within their local environment.
The members showed keen interest in artistic activities and learning about the environment through nature walks, tours, scavenger hunts, arts and craft activities, and learning to operate drones and camera traps.
The EMC Foundation E-STEM Program is supported by the ExxonMobil Foundation.
Club Members Engaging in the “Eco-Bingo” Activity
Club Members Engaging with the Camera Traps
Club Member Engaging with the GPS Device
Club Members Engaging with Environmental Apps
Club Members Engaging with EMC Foundation Publications
Engagements with the EMC Foundation Selfe Frame
The EMC Foundation was established by Mr. Shyam Nokta, winner of the 2022 Anthony N Sabga Award for Entrepreneurship. The Foundation works to support environmental awareness and education in Guyana by promoting activities which encourage a greater understanding of the environment, creating a network to connect like-minded persons, and providing opportunities to experience Guyana’s rich natural environment.