Help communities to conserve Peru's Dry Forests

A Rocha Peru and local communities are working hard to protect and conserve the dry forests in Pacasmayo.  In March and April this year, the production of native species that will be used in our reforestation activities for the year commenced.  The team searched for native seeds of dry forest species such as Algarrobo (Prosopis sp.) and Hawthorn (Acacia macracantha).  We coordinated with the locals 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 and bags were delivered to the local nursery in San Pedro de Lloc and 400 seedlings were planted and bagged. 

In addition, three regeneration campaigns were conducted from February to April in the intervention zone in the Cañoncillo Private Conservation Area and El Hornito Forest assisting 24 Algarrobo trees.  Assisted natural regeneration techniques are used in the dry forests to help trees and native vegetation naturally recover by eliminating barriers and threats to their growth such as the deterioration by grazing.  

Our conservation groups have already conducted 7 dry forest patrols this year with the support of the project team and local police authorities.The Muchick Local Conservation Group and the Cooperativa Agraria de Usuarios Tecapa (CAU Tecapa) are two active groups of local community members that protect and conserve the Tronco Prieto dry forest and El Cañoncillo forest, respectively.  During these patrols, it is possible to observe and halt the illegal harvesting of dry forest trees, by confiscating items such as axes and collected fuelwood and informing loggers of dry forest values and the consequences of their actions.

Another important achievement was the expansion of environmental education collaboration with two churches, the Christian Church, Casa de Oración (House of Prayer) in Pacasmayo led by Pastor José Guzmán, and the Calvary Chapel Christian Church led by Pastor Renzo Plasencia. In January and February 2022, eleven environmental education talks were carried out with the members of the San Demetrio Church.  Also, work activities continued including the conditioning of the garden in the soup kitchen, planting vegetables such as turnip, celery, and corn, the installation of an irrigation tank (1100 liters), and the construction of sheds for breeding small animals such as guinea pigs and chickens. In April, the soup kitchen started raising guinea pigs and currently has 1 male and 2 females.  In addition, a meeting was held in March with Pastor Renzo to discuss the creation of a new eco-club and the installation of an organic garden for their community.

Of course, we continue to carry out workshops about the importance of the dry forest at the Tecapa High School.  We have realised new activities for their organic garden including the installation of fencing for the garden, the design of a shed for small animals breeding, and the removal of soil for the garden.

We would like to thank you all for your contributions, and we look forward for your continued support as the year progresses.