The South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS) of Guyana has been awarded the prestigious St Andrews Prize for the Environment, receiving a $95,000 cash prize for its ‘Transforming Environmental Education in Guyana’ project. The award was presented during a ceremony in St Andrews on Tuesday, March 17.
The global prize, presented annually by the University of St Andrews, recognises innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Accepting the award on behalf of SRCS, Environmental Education Coordinator Alyssa Melville described the recognition as both an honour and an opportunity.
Alyssa said: “A big thank you to the St Andrews Prize for the Environment team and judges for recognising the work of the South Rupununi Conservation Society. This recognition affirms the importance of community-led initiatives and the real impact they can have.
“For us, this prize is not just an award, it is an opportunity — an opportunity to strengthen our environmental education programmes, support our communities, and expand our impact for future generations.”
She added that the organisation was proud to represent the voices behind the initiative and looked forward to continuing its work with renewed energy and purpose.
Since 2019, the SRCS programme has evolved from a single vision into a far-reaching educational model targeting children aged eight to 18. The initiative combines scientific learning with Indigenous knowledge, linking education to culture, community, and the natural environment.
Students participate in a two-year programme in which they study their environment before going on to design and lead their own citizen science projects. According to SRCS, the initiative has reached more than 2,000 students across over 20 communities in Guyana’s Region Nine.
The St Andrews Prize for the Environment is a major international initiative that supports innovative responses to global environmental challenges, including the climate crisis. It is overseen by Professor Ineke De Moortel, Master of the United College.
Since its launch in 1998, the prize has awarded more than US$2.8 million to individuals and organisations worldwide whose work promotes environmental protection and sustainability. Now in its 28th year, the award continues to spotlight ideas and leadership addressing what organisers describe as the defining challenge of our time.
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