Ecosystem Restoration Peru Project #40324

Help communities to conserve Peru's Dry Forests

by A Rocha Peru

Project Report | Dec 19, 2024
Dry Forest Project Update (November 2024)

By Filipa Brasch | Communications and Fundraising Officer

Bird watching in the dry forests

Dear nature-loving friends!

Over the period, A Rocha Peru successfully implemented various initiatives to empower local communities and promote environmental conservation in Pacasmayo. These activities included workshops focused on handicrafts, livestock breeding, and raising awareness about the Dry Forest.

A Rocha Peru organized two key workshops for women in Pacasmayo. The first focused on teaching seven participants the art of jute embroidery, using designs inspired by the Moche culture. Led by an expert in jute embroidery, the workshop provided both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. To further enhance their skills, the participants had an additional practical session in Magdalena de Cao. The second workshop, with 12 participants, centered on recycling and reusing plastic bags. Led by an expert in plastic reuse, the session taught participants how to creatively repurpose plastic waste into useful products, highlighting the importance of sustainability. In September, a follow-up session was held in Magdalena de Cao. The women presented their completed jute embroidery projects and visited a local museum, further connecting them to their cultural heritage. This initiative provided the women with valuable skills while promoting eco-friendly practices.

In addition to the workshops, A Rocha Peru launched a photography exhibition to raise awareness about the La Libertad Dry Forest, a vital ecosystem in northern Peru. The exhibition featured 20 striking photographs that captured the biodiversity, environmental challenges, and conservation efforts in the region. The photos, taken by renowned South African photographer Xavier Saer and other conservationists, were displayed at two prominent universities in Lima—Universidad Científica del Sur (UCSUR) and Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología (UTEC). The exhibition was well received, sparking interest among students and faculty members about conservation and the urgent need to protect the La Libertad Dry Forest. It also showcased A Rocha Peru’s smaller initiatives, including the Amazon Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation Project and the Iglesia Verde Project.

Another important initiative involved two workshops aimed at improving livestock breeding practices for small farmers in the region. These workshops focused on the health and reproduction of sheep and goats, offering practical advice on breeding techniques, disease prevention, and overall animal care. In October, the first workshop took place in Jatanca, with a strong turnout from local farmers eager to improve their livestock management. A second workshop was held in Tecapa, which extended its reach to nearby towns such as Santonte and Santa María, engaging an even broader group of farmers.

Through these activities, A Rocha Peru was able to empower local women, improve agricultural practices, and raise awareness about environmental issues. These efforts contributed to the conservation of the La Libertad Dry Forest and supported sustainable development in the region.

Thank you for your support!

Wishing you all the best over the festive season.

A Rocha Peru

Women's artisan group & plastic reuse workshop

A Rocha Peru at the Photography Exhibition at UTEC

Conservation images on display at the Exhibition

Participants at the Livestock workshops

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Aug 21, 2024
Dry Forest Project Update (July 2024)

By Filipa Brasch | Communications and Fundraising Officer

Endangered hualtaco (Loxopterygium huasango)

Dear nature-loving friends!

Over the period, the project team started preparing for its another reforestation campaign, producing sixty-five algarrobo (Neltuma spp) and forty hawthorn (Acacia macracantha) seedlings at the local nursery in Pacasmayo. In June, we began developing our new nursery at the San Demetrio soup kitchen. We repurposed the breeding shed into a dedicated nursery for forestry seedling production, reinforcing the cane structure, assembling a production table, and gathering materials for substrate preparation to enhance soil quality.

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.

During a field trip to Polvorín in June, the A Rocha Peru team identified a wild flora species called hualtaco (Loxopterygium huasango). This deciduous tree is native to equatorial coastal areas and dry forests in Cajamarca, Lambayeque, Piura, and Tumbes. Regrettably, the hualtaco faces imminent threats due to its high demand for use in parquet flooring, leading to its inclusion on Peru’s endangered species list under Supreme Decree N°043-2006-AG.

Also, we're excited to announce that our new website was officially launched on July 5th, 2024. Explore our latest updates on the dry forest project, news, resources and more on our new website.

Stay tuned for more developments in the coming months!

Thank you for partnering with us! Without you, none of it is possible.

Peace,

A Rocha Peru

Field technician nurturing new seedlings

Growing algarrobo seedlings in the new nursery

Harvesting honey from the beehives

Beehives located in the dry forest

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May 3, 2024
Dry Forest Project Update (May 2024)

By Filipa Brasch | Communications and Fundraising Officer

Algarrobo tree in Tronco Prieto forest, Pacasmayo

Dear Friends,

A Rocha Peru's Dry Forest Project has made significant strides in performing project activities over the last few months. Activities have included searching for native seeds in cattle breeding pens, seedling production, and launching a planting campaign. Seedling production began at the San Pedro de Lloc nursery by bagging 200 native dry forest seedlings (Long-spine Acacia and Algarrobo). Additionally, in February, the project planted 20 native seedlings on the edge of Betty's property in San Demetrio.

Our conservation efforts have been active this year, conducting four dry forest patrols with the assistance of the project team, local conservation groups, and local police authorities. The Muchick Local Conservation Group and the Cooperativa Agraria de Usuarios Tecapa (CAU Tecapa) are dedicated local groups committed to safeguarding the Tronco Prieto dry forest and El Cañoncillo forest, respectively. These patrols detect and prevent illegal harvesting of dry forest trees, allowing us to confiscate items such as axes and collected fuelwood while educating loggers about the importance of dry forest conservation and the repercussions of their actions.

The team has consistently monitored reforested areas over the past months. Community members have participated in some monitoring activities of areas previously reforested in Portada de la Sierra, Pablo Nuevo, and Santa Maria. These visits entail monitoring plant growth and assessing the need for applying hydrogel and garlic-based repellent to address pests.

Research continues with the discovery of a new patch of dry forest in the community of Santa María, named La Calera forest. It spans an area of 91.4 hectares, consisting of forested and dune areas. The project team identified five flora species in the new dry forest.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude. Thank you for being a part of our team of supporters that are making our project a reality.

Thank you for your belief and support.

A Rocha Peru

Planting algarrobo seedlings with Betty (February)

Seedling production at the local nursery (March)

Patrolling dry forests with Agrarian Cooperative.

Community monitoring of reforested areas(March)

Discovery of La Calera dry forest (March)

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