Help communities to conserve Peru's Dry Forests

A Rocha Peru continues to navigate through the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and in July, after a four-month absence in the field, the Dry Forest Project recommenced some field activities in Pacasmayo.  Initially, the project team reviewed all project activities and assessed the state of  the Cañoncillo and Tronco Prieto dry forests. The project plan was amended to correct the impacts from the COVID-19 quarantine and to ensure that our objectives will still be achieved.

We have prioritised first and foremost, the safety and well-being of all staff and the local community, implementing COVID-19 protocols and government regulations for the team to rigorously follow.

The reforestation areas were impacted by our absence in the field and in order to restore deteriorated plants, a planting campaign was conducted in August, replacing 143 plants across 2.98 hectares of existing reforested areas in Santonte, Jatanca, Bosque La Yuca, Santa Maria.  It included the help of 31 people.   In addition, an additional planting campaign was conducted in new areas across 0.37 hectares in Santonte and San Padro de Lloc planting 60 Algarrobo with the participation of 12 people. To further protect and nurture the trees, assisted natural regeneration techniques continue to be applied within the intervention area.

Monitoring visits resumed in August, evaluating plant health in over 3.35 hectares of the reforested areas. During the monitoring visits the team observed a presence of animals such as the Peruvian miner (Geositta peruviana), the Peruvian lizard (Microlophus peruvianus), and an owl (Athene cunicularia).

The conservation groups of Tecapa, Muchick-Santonte and the Cerro Pitura Protection Group suspended patrols in the forests during the quarantine period and as a result the forests experienced several changes such as increased illegal logging. In partnership with A Rocha Peru, the conservation groups resumed patrols and surveillance of the dry forests in August to help avoid illegal logging of the forests. In addition, the Muchick group installed the gate in the entrance of Santonte to allow greater control over illegal logging and carried out a forest inventory.

A HUGE thank you for your incredible support and generosity that helps us to continue with our important work to restore, conserve and sustainably manage dry forest landscapes with local communities in Peru, so thank you!

Stay safe and well.

Links:

• How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected A Rocha Peru's work