Community monitoring visit with the Micaela Bastidas community kitchen beneficiaries, April 2023
Cañoncillo Private Conservation Area is one of the only natural reserves remaining in La Libertad, a province in northwestern Peru. La Libertad Dry Forest Project mobilizes locals who live around Cañoncillo to plant trees for reforestation and monitor the trees as they grow. During their monitoring visits, residents are transferred to the reforested areas to check the health and growth of the trees and that they are being looked after properly. Last year, the project made four community monitoring visits with thirty-six locals to various areas. We carried out one community monitoring visit to the Laguna el Muerto Forest in Pacasmayo with the locals from the Micaela Bastidas de San Demetrio community kitchen. During this activity, the people were able to identify the species planted.
We also visited the Cañoncillo Private Conservation Area with the students from the National University of Trujillo-Guadalupe Branch. The purpose of this trip was to introduce students to intervention areas and explain the methodology used in the Algarrobo tree regeneration monitoring. Two more monitoring visits were carried out in reforested areas on private property, including a visit to Espino, Corales, and La Yuca forests and one visit with some students of Tecapa High School to our planting areas in Pueblo Nuevo, Portada de la Sierra, and Santonte. Equipping locals with the tools and knowledge they need to monitor reforested areas and preserve the dry forests, they become part of the solution and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Community Monitoring visit to reforested areas, July 2023
A Rocha Peru, was inspired to participate in the #PlasticFreeFebruary campaign – an initiative to eliminate single-use plastics for the month of February. Around the world, A Rocha groups joined this month-long challenge to reduce or eliminate the use of plastic, while cleaning up the plastic pollution that already exists. A Rocha India led a successful clean-up drive where volunteers collected bags of dry plastic waste. Members from A Rocha France and A Rocha Canada joined the campaign by trying to cut out single-use plastics that were connected to their food consumption. A Rocha Switzerland and Netherlands sent out weekly challenges and top tips. In Nigeria, Eden Creation Care Initiative held a month with a recycling project with school kids.
Throughout February, A Rocha Peru contributed to the campaign by sharing informative content, and offering practical tips to encourage individuals to reduce their plastic consumption. Now, as March fades into April, we stand at the dawn of a new season, ready to extend our commitment beyond the confines of a single month.
Fragments of microplastic (Image: A Rocha International 2018)
Plastic pollution stands as an ongoing environmental challenge, with microplastics posing threats to ecosystems and human well-being on a global scale. Microplastics are the material left behind when plastics decompose. As scientific studies continue to reveal the widespread presence of microplastics in our bodies, the urgency to address this issue becomes increasingly evident.
While #FreePlasticFebruary has formally concluded, our dedication to reducing plastic pollution remains unwavering. By fostering ongoing awareness and collective action, we aim to make a lasting impact in mitigating plastic pollution. As stewards of our planet, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving the health of our environment and communities, ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come.
Be sure to check out our Plastics Toolbox for more information and resources.
Pacasmayo, a picturesque coastal town in northern Peru, is traditionally recognized for its beautiful beaches and warm-hearted inhabitants. However, during my recent visit to Pacasmayo, I not only admired its natural richness and scenic views but partook in a truly transformative experience. As a member of A Rocha Perú, my mission in Pacasmayo was to truly capture the essence and mission of A Rocha Peru through my camera while participating in the day-to-day activities of the Dry Forest Project with the local communities.
Milagros showing the baskets made by the Association of Artisans of the Cañoncillo Forest
Upon arrival, the excitement in the air was palpable. A Rocha team – Ciro and Andrea- welcomed me with smiles and open arms, graciously sharing stories of the beloved town of Pacasmayo and the challenges it faces. I have never experienced such an abundant amount of hospitality. Children, young adults and older individuals welcomed me to their homes and generously gifted me avocados, watermelons, tunas and other Peruvian fruits from their gardens! This was a very humbling experience. Today, as I reminisce about my time in Pacasmayo, I think about what one of the women said to me when visiting her house. She said, “Little girl, these fruits are from my garden, its free for me…I love when people visit me…if I could, I would give you more, but this is what the season has given me so far.”
Another highlight of my journey was visiting the beautiful dry forest. Ciro, Andrea and I woke up early in the morning, at around 4 am, to experience the mighty sunrise and capture the majesty of nature waking up. It is astonishing how some places have the power to stir introspection and awaken a dormant purpose within us. That day, among the silhouettes of ancient trees, the whispers of the wind and the chirping of thousands of birds, I felt a profound realization about the importance of volunteering our time to the world. The dry forest, with its gnarled trees and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures, painted a tale of endurance. It had survived the worst of climatic odds, and yet, its beauty was undeniable. But more than its aesthetic allure, it was a testament to the interwoven fabric of life that thrives despite adversity. However, as much as it was a space of resilience, it was also an ecosystem at the brink, vulnerable to human exploitation and negligence.
Ciro teaching volunteers how to plant Algarrobo seelings
As I continued my walk back, I went house-to-house talking about climate change. A Rocha Peru endeavoured this mission with the help of young volunteers from the University of Trujillo. The next day, we planted around 20 algarrobo trees that will not only to combat desertification but also to help restore the local ecosystem. Each hole dug and every seed planted, was symbolic of hope. Everyone took to the task with an endearing enthusiasm, including a 5-year-old princess who helped gently place each sapling into the earth.
As we shifted our focus to spread awareness the community about climate change, I was moved by their receptive nature. Using simple language and relatable examples, we discussed how a warming planet affects everything from their local farms to the health of their children. Many expressed genuine concern and wanted to know more about how they could make a difference.
As my journey in Pacasmayo came to a close, I was overcome with a profound sense of gratitude. The experience had been deeply transformative. I came to Pacasmayo as an outsider, hoping to bring about positive change. But by the end, the community had embraced me as one of their own, teaching me invaluable lessons about resilience, hope, and the unbreakable human spirit.
Cross, anchor and heart key ring, gifted to bring faith, hope, and love along the walk (a symbol of 1 Corinthians 13)
In a world overflowing with overwhelming news, now and again, a tale of hope, determination, and unity stands out. This is the incredible story of Coline Raillon, a beacon of light in the realm of conservation, who undertook an epic walk spanning three countries to raise awareness of the living crisis. Part of her mission was to raise funds for the global family of A Rocha since we are celebrating 40 years of A Rocha worldwide.
Coline’s walk covered over 1,200 kilometres through three countries, including Germany, Switzerland, and France. She carried no cash or credit card and was 100% reliant on the ask for hospitality in the form of food and accommodation. Coline shared A Rocha’s message of caring for creation with the people she met, offering nature walks as an optional contribution. Along her path, she met with strangers who soon became friends and enlightened many about the domino effect of a single environmental catastrophe.
Coline also aimed to raise money for A Rocha Peru, since Cyclone Yaku wreaked havoc on the northern coast of Peru at the beginning of the year, leaving countless communities bereft of necessities. Among the damages were the improved cookstoves installed in households as a part of La Libertad Dry Forest Project, and have become an essential daily tool for many families and an innovative move towards a sustainable future.
By the time Coline concluded her walk, she had sown seeds of environmental consciousness in countless hearts. Now, Coline plans to continue her theology studies and travel nomadically through France in a truck. She will continue to spread awareness of the living crisis by offering coffee and conversation with churches and their communities. A Rocha Peru wishes Coline all the best on her future endeavours and we thank her for all her efforts and the generosity of supporters, as many families will be able to have their cookstoves restored. To Coline, we owe a debt of gratitude.
Hosts Ana-Bela & Duke, Lausanne.Visit to a beautiful farm in Switzerland
Nestled in the heart of the Peruvian jungle, Monte Carmelo stands out as a testament to the rich biodiversity of the region. Monte Carmelo, located in Cuzco, boasts a myriad of habitats – from high-altitude grasslands and cloud forests to low-lying valleys. Such ecological diversity provides a home for an astonishing variety of bird species, making the area a magnet for ornithologists and bird enthusiasts alike.
Blue-crowned Trogon (Trogon curucui)
The Amazon Natural & Cultural Heritage Conservation Project is working with the local community of Monte Carmelo to aid in the conservation of avian diversity and promote bird watching tourism. In an effort to understand the conservation status of the resident bird population, research was undertaken. A considerable amount of bird species was documented, through field surveys, acoustic monitoring and citizen science guided by our field expert Hugo Marcos Loyola.
Field surveys reveal that the Military Macaw, the White-winged Trumpeter and the Razor-billed inhabit the area. Military Macaw has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. In addition, the White-winged Trumpeter and the Razor-billed are classified as Near Threatened. The new birdwatching group observed the Russet-backed Oropendola, Blue-crowned Trogon, and the Common Squirrel-cuckoo, amongst others. The biodiversity of the jungle is a treasure that we must value and protect. With initiatives like this one, we take another step towards the conservation and understanding of our natural environment.
In July, Coline Raillon, who worked as the Nature Projects Officer for A Rocha France, will be commencing a long journey on foot across three European countries: Germany, Switzerland, and France. Coline will walk to meet people and create connections. She will also take this opportunity to raise funds for community-based projects in A Rocha, including A Rocha Peru. “The idea is to meet people, talk about A Rocha’s work… the beauty of Creation, and ..share the gospel.” Her journey will start from Heidelberg in Germany and follow parts of the Huguenot Way. The Huguenot Way is a hiking trail that highlights the historical exile of the Huguenots (a religious group of French Protestants from the 17th century). She will also stop at various places including Belfort France, for a scout camp. We wish Coline all the best for her exciting journey, and we will continue to follow her fundraising walk on our social media and websites. To support Coline’s walk, you can donate here. Please click ‘dedicate this donation’ and type in ‘Coline‘ to dedicate your gift. Thank you for your support of A Rocha Peru!
Chris identifying medicinal plants with Sabio (H. Marcos, June 2023)
In January, A Rocha Peru was excited to receive a new volunteer, Chris Rampersad, a Biologist from the United Kingdom. Chris stayed for three months working on several project activities for the La Libertad Dry Forest Project. He talked with locals about the effects of climate change on the dry forest and also helped the team monitor research plots installed in ACP-Cañoncillo to assess the biomass and necromass of the dry forest. One of his findings was an increase in the height of the trees, with an average growth rate of 2.56m since 2018.
In addition, Chris started his research in Tronco Prieto and ACP-Cañoncillo forests collecting data such as species richness, the abundance of each species, and the amount of felled and dry trees. Chris completed his investigation of pre-existing species in the area, conducting two interviews at the Raimondi Museum and the Trujillo Herbarium.
Afterward, Chris journeyed to our Amazon Natural and Cultural Heritage Pilot Project in Monte Carmelo in the Urubamba River basin. Chris has been helping the team take pictures and support the research into the community’s medicinal knowledge of plants, endangered birds, amongst other things.
Bird Watching, Monte Carmelo (H.Marcos, July 2023)
The Amazon Natural and Cultural Heritage Pilot Project began in June this year. The pilot project works in a small community called Monte Carmelo, located in the basin of the Urubamba River in the Southeastern Peruvian Amazon. A Rocha Peru partners with the Comunidad Nativa Machiguenga Monte Carmelo (Monte Carmelo Machiguenga Indigenous Community) to help conserve and restore ecosystems and endangered species and preserve the cultural traditions and ancestral knowledge in native communities. The project is currently researching birds and medicinal plant species in this area.
To preserve traditions, workshops and talks will be conducted by elders to spread knowledge to the younger generation on the uses of traditional medicinal plants, the Machiguenga language, and other ancestral customs like hunting with bow and arrow.
For the local school, the project is establishing a recreational forest park to create an opportunity to teach children and others about the environment and the importance of preserving natural ecosystems. Stay tuned for more developments in the coming months!
This year, La Libertad Dry Forest Project aims to focus its environmental education on the youth of the Pacasmayo community to help generate environmental leaders and empower them to conserve the dry forest. Many activities have kicked off, including talks about the importance of the dry forest at the National University of Trujillo, Guadalupe, the Tecapa Secondary School, and San Demetrio. The team has created an environmental club called Semillas Teresianas (Teresian Seeds) with the 2nd and 3rd-grade secondary students at the Santa Teresa Inmaculada school in San Pedro de Lloc. The eco-club members visited the Venturosa dry forest and collected photos and information to help develop the eco-club’s vision.Moreover, the team conducted talks to raise awareness about the importance of the dry forest at Santa Teresa Inmaculada, where 300 students participated. To contribute to the conservation of the dry forests, the Santa Teresa Inmaculada School will help plant 100 Algarrobo tree seedlings. The ideal area for planting was identified in Cañoncillo with the help of Cooperativa Agraria de Usuarios de Tecapa.
At the end of 2021, A Rocha Peru started an initiative with Pastor José Guzmán from Iglesia Casa de Oración in Pacasmayo, northern Peru, to develop a community kitchen in San Demetrio. El comedor popular Micaela Bastidas was facing the challenge of improving its modest premises. In response, A Rocha Peru installed an improved cookstove for self-sufficiency, set up an organic garden and a space for rearing small animals, and introduced environmental education activities. The collaboration proved a significant catalyst that inspired the local government and companies to get involved and complement this work by developing the building structure, improving the kitchen, and providing a water cistern. Through these combined efforts, the Micaela Bastidas communitykitchen was transformed. It became a communal hub run by local women committed to preparing and serving daily nutritious meals to 28 families of 120 adults and children. This inspiring example of community work shows the multiplying impact that A Rocha Peru is having in the communities it serves.
An achievement from La Libertad Dry Forest Project this past year has been the installation of apiaries in Tronco Prieto Forest, where the honey bees forage on the flowering algarrobo trees. Bees play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation by pollinating wildflowers and help to conserve the dry forest. With a dedicated beekeeper, the project team explored the Tronco Prieto dry forest and met with Muchick Conservation Group to investigate the possibility of installing apiaries. Later in the year, the project held two sustainable training workshops for the local community on beekeeping. The new trainees will manage the apiaries installed in Tronco Prieto to produce honey. The beekeeping initiative is on track to beekeeping success, already making 12 litres of organic honey in January!
La Libertad Dry Forest Project continues to supply improved cookstovesfor families in Pacasmayo. The improved cookstoves use less fuelwood than traditional open fires and reduce the need to cut down dry forest trees. The project delivered the kits to households in July and in August ten cookstoves were installed in households from San Demetrio and Pueblo Nuevo. A local mason installed the cookstoves.
This year the project also gave guinea pigs to beneficiary households to promote micro-livestock breeding. This new initiative hopes to address food security in rural areas. Guinea pigs are not only a source of animal protein but also their manure can fertilize agriculture fields and kitchen gardens. In traditional Peruvian households, the rearing environment for small animals is usually the kitchen, where the heat source protects guinea pigs from sudden temperature changes.
La Libertad Dry Forest Project continues to raise environmental awareness in schools and churches. This year it has expanded its education talks and garden activities to three schools and churches, including Calvary Chapel. The project inspires younger generations to become environmental ambassadors, helping them to reconnect with nature and enhancing conservation knowledge. Calvary Chapel, led by Pastor Renzo Plasencia Moscoso, is located in Pacasmayo. Since April, the project has conducted over 22 workshops and activities with adults and children of the Calvary Chapel congregation. Talks have included a variety of topics such as the state of the planet and its biodiversity, responsible consumption and sustainable development of the environment, solid waste, the importance of the dry forest, and ecological gardens. In July, the church started to create its garden called the El Buen Fruto [The Good Fruit]. Environmental leaders learned practical techniques such as home irrigation, composting, and planting vegetables. They prepared the soil, levelled and cleaned the terrain, and they have begun creating an interpretation centre.
Better Rice Production Workshop (C.Flores, July 2022)
Agroforestry is an approach that combines agriculture with trees on the same piece of land. Planting trees on farms can give farmers healthier soil and higher yields – not to mention creating vital homes for wildlife. La Libertad Dry Forest Project in Pacasmayo promotes agroforestry with local farmers by helping them combine fruit trees with existing crops. This approach aims to restore degraded agricultural land and reduce soil erosion. Over time, it also helps farmers to enhance crop production and generate alternate income from the sale of the fruit. In June, fruit tree species, such as apple, orange, mango, Japanese plum, and guaba, were produced in the local nursery in San Pedro de Lloc. In July, the project gave local farmers sixty agroforestry tree seedlings to plant on their land. The project will irrigate and monitor these trees over time. In addition to these agroforestry practices, the project has been helping farmers to improve crop production in other ways. In July, the La Libertad Dry Forest project held a workshop for rice producers in Santander. Rice is an important staple crop in the area. These workshops help to increase farmers’ knowledge of how to improve rice crop production and quality.
El Cañoncillo Natural Forest Private Conservation Area has three lagoons: Gallinazo, Larga and Cañoncillo. Creeping weeds and bushes have been obscuring the view of visitors to one of the lagoons, Gallinazo. As a result, La Libertad Dry Forest project conducted a harvesting campaign of the lagoon in May this year with the Agricultural Cooperative of Tecapa (CAU) and the Cañoncillo Forest Craftswomen Association. The harvesting campaign was to provide the artisan women’s group hand harvested natural resources to make their handicrafts but the right materials were not found. The project team acquired wool, and different local grasses such as viruli and reeds for the craftswomen to use. These resources helped motivate the craftswomen to meet and make their handicrafts. In addition, the women were trained to improve their products in Artisan workshops and explore new alternatives for their development. Selling non-timber products contributes to sustainable, forest-friendly livelihoods that help preserve the dry forest and sustain livelihoods.
One of our most important activities for the year is the production of native seedlings for our reforestation campaigns. This activity commenced In March this year. The team searched for native seeds of dry forest species such as Algarrobo and Hawthorn. We coordinated with the local farmers to enter their stockyards and extract the seeds from cattle manure. The manure was sifted and cleaned to extract the seeds. About 1 kg of Algarrobo seeds and 1.5 kg of Hawthorn seeds were obtained. The seeds were delivered to the local municipal nursery in San Pedro de Lloc and seedlings were planted and bagged. 235 native Algarrobo seedlings and 40 hawthorn seedlings germinated at the nursery. This seedling production was used in our first reforestation campaign of the year in July where they were planted in a 3-hectare area located in La Laguna El Muerto Forest with the collaboration of Mr. Luis Castañeda. Thank you for all those involved!
