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Waldyke (Wally) Prince
Iwokrama Forest Ranger and Tourism Coordinator
Where in Guyana were you born?
Georgetown
When or where did you first develop a love of nature?
From spending time at my mother's home village, DeVeldt, on the Berbice River. It is a place of lush forest, intermediate savannahs and meandering creeks. There was no one defining point, but I will say that it all started from my childhood days of fishing lines and hooks and slingshots. Hunting the creatures of the wild allows one to observe their nature and habits, and over time to understand and appreciate their significance in the cycle of life. This has helped to mold me as I became an adult, and in my opinion, conservation is about 'wise use' and not 'non-use'.
Can you describe a typical day from your childhood that involved being in nature?
Wow. Everyday! Even living in the city of Georgetown I would experience nature every day, from lizards on the fences to fish in the trenches. My two favorite hideouts were the grounds of the Botanical Gardens (a unique micro-ecosystem in itself) and the Seawall. There is always something new to learn from visiting those places, even if you visit them every day.
How and when did you first become a birdwatcher?
My childhood days of hunting birds allowed me to observe them a lot. I was able to learn their behaviors, recognize their sounds, observe their feeding habits, recognize their flight patterns, and also learn who preys on them.
When did you start working at Iwokrama?
I first became associated with Iwokrama in 1997 when I assisted in a fish survey of the Siparuni and Burro Burro rivers. I became more formally involved with Iwokrama in May 1999.
What professional experience led to you working at Iwokrama?
I was working as a research assistant/Guyanese counterpart for the faunal survey led by Smithsonian Institution, American Museum of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum and few other scientific organizations from around the world that were conducting faunal expeditions in Guyana from 1991-2000. So I learned a lot informally while working with some of the best scientists in the world. I also worked with Dr. Godfrey Bourne from CEIBA Biological Research Centre on the Linden Highway, which allowed me to teach his graduate-level students about fieldwork and field craft. I also learned a lot from the students and Dr. Bourne.
Have you been a Forest Ranger since you first started at Iwokrama, or did you begin as a normal guide?
I started first as a research assistant, then I was the Project Manager of the Citizen Science Program (2001-2003), and I finally switched over to Tourism in 2004 to supervise tour guides. I became the Tourism Coordinator in 2006. I also train guides and rangers via the Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention (GHARP) Project and KFW funded training programs as part of my activities at Iwokrama. I'm also responsible for natural history interpretation and guiding hardcore birding and nature groups that visit the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve.
What was the training process you went through to become an Iwokrama Ranger?
I don't officially consider myself a Ranger. I'm a naturalist that loves nature and is working here at Iwokrama. I did, however, complete a one-month intensive Ranger course.
What does your role as Iwokrama Tourism Coordinator entail?
Coordinating and supervising logistics; hosting visitors at the Iwokrama Riverside Lodge; supervising the tour guides; development and implementation of new visitor activities; trails development and maintenance; and guiding for specialist groups, such as birders.
When acting as a guide, is birdwatching your favorite activity?
Birdwatching is only one of my favorite activities of being out there in the bush. I don't really have one favorite nature activity, per se.
What are some of your favorite birds to spot in the field?
What about mammals and insects? My favorite groups of birds are Parrots & Macaws, Raptors, soaring Vultures, Cotingas, and ground dwelling birds, especially the Rufous-winged Ground Cuckoo. In the rainforest there are tons of species, and as such with respect to favorites, for the mammals it would be otters followed by monkeys. For insects it's dragonflies followed by Praying Mantis; predatory ant species are very fascinating too.
Are there any birds that you haven't spotted yet, but would like to?
What about mammals?
I need to see an Oilbird! For mammals it would be grison and bush dogs.
In your opinion, what is the role of Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development in the larger world?
Iwokrama is a giant laboratory in which the models of good forest stewardship and best practices can be applied and modified in a "learn by doing" process that helps to form adaptive management plans for the rainforest reserve. Activities at Iwokrama can exhibit in the truest sense the lessons learned that would facilitate a harmonious integration of social, economic and conservation developments of the Iwokrama Reserve and the communities of the North Rupununi Wetlands. Iwokrama can then disseminate this info to the world so that anyone can access lessons learned on how to, or how not to, carry out activities for sustainable livelihoods in tropical forests.
You recently attended the American Birding Association Convention in Snowbird, Utah, how was your experience there?
So many things to do and learn, but so little time. The field trips were very well executed and included several sites per trip. The exhibition booths were a major attraction for me, especially the various booths that sold first class optical equipment for birdwatching. I was able to rub shoulders with some of the best in the birding world, and to share my experience as a birding guide in the tropics. One highlight of my visit was seeing and experiencing snow for the first time and also staying at a lodge that is at 8500 ft elevation, higher than any place I had ever been before. It was the place to be as a birder!
What is your vision for the future of birding in Guyana?
I see Guyana as being the hub for birding adventures in the Guiana Shield. It will be known that if you want to bird the Guiana Shield or northern South America, you need to venture off from the normal path and come to Guyana - Land of Many Waters.
