A Rocha Peru’s beekeeping initiatives continue to thrive and expand. Originally installed in the Tronco Prieto forest, the apiaries had to be relocated due to restrictions on beekeeping activities and the absence of permission from the community of San Pedro de Lloc, the forest’s owners. The beekeeping operations have since found a new home in the privately-owned Venturosa Dry Forest. The relocation led to a mutually beneficial agreement between A Rocha Peru and the landowner. In a generous move, the landowner has decided to donate his share of the honey harvest to the local school, starting from the second harvest. The remaining income supports A Rocha Peru and dry forest conservation efforts, demonstrating a collaborative spirit that benefits both education and environmental conservation. The presence of apiaries in the Venturosa Dry Forest brings significant advantages to the landowner’s farm and forest, particularly through essential pollination. Additionally, A Rocha Peru ensures meticulous care and maintenance of the forest. The landowner also uses these activities as educational opportunities for his students, who are active members of A Rocha Peru’s environmental club. With the installation of apiaries in the dry forests, A Rocha Peru’s efforts are yielding high-quality honey now marketed under the official label, BoscoVivo, meaning “Living Forest.” This year, A Rocha Peru is set to advance its beekeeping initiatives with a renewed focus on community involvement and sustainability. One of the upcoming workshops will concentrate on installing new beehives, a key element already included in the workshop budget. This builds on previous workshops where several hives were successfully installed and are now being managed by A Rocha Peru. In addition to new hive installations, we expect that this year’s workshops will cover a variety of beekeeping-related activities, such as propolis production, pollen collection, and other essential practices. These activities aim to enhance participants’ skills and knowledge, contributing to the project’s long-term self-sustainability and the broader institutional sustainability of A Rocha Peru. A Rocha Peru is also launching pilot beekeeping activities to create greater involvement of local families committed to dry forest conservation. This project will provide one or two families with beehives, enabling them to benefit directly from honey production. The initiative includes ongoing monitoring and support from A Rocha Peru to ensure the hives’ success and the project’s sustainability. By integrating beekeeping into the local community, A Rocha Peru aims to empower families, foster environmental stewardship, and promote sustainable livelihoods. This holistic approach supports conservation efforts and enhances the economic resilience of the involved communities.
