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A Rocha leaders gather

 Last month leaders from around the A Rocha world came together in the Philippines for the triennial Leaders’ Forum, based on the theme ‘Your kingdom come’. It was a joyful and deep time of worship, encouragement, decision-making, relationship-building and planning. While each A Rocha organization has its own unique context and culture, we are united by our vision, mission, five core commitments and, most significantly, the understanding that the work of A Rocha is first and foremost worship of our loving, triune creator God.

One of A Rocha’s strategic priorities is to expand the geographical reach of the Worldwide Family. It was exciting to celebrate the launch of A Rocha Costa Rica and A Rocha Singapore, about which more below. And to have friends from the region join us at the start of the week, meaning we had representatives from an amazing 26 countries!

Other highlights included a visit to the beautiful Taal Lake, stories of how land and seascapes around the world are benefiting from A Rocha’s work and praying for one another in the struggles of seeing places and species we love come to harm. We held our traditional Forum photo competition, with delegates voting for the winners. Congratulations to all on the shortlist and especially to the category winners. Do go and feast your eyes on the beautiful images here!

Winners

    1. Close encounters: African white-faced owl – Anthony, A Rocha Kenya
    2. Hands-on conservation: a three-way tie!
      Algarrobo seeds – Xavier Saer, A Rocha Peru
      Predator – Karioi team, A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand
      Scarce chaser dragonfly Libellula fulva – Izabela Kujawiak, A Rocha France
    3. Teamwork: divers helping each other – Lucky, A Rocha Kenya
    4. Wildlife: Natterjack toad Epidalea calamita – Izabela Kujawiak, A Rocha France
    5. Environmental Education: Child nature connect – Geoffrey Bukenya, A Rocha Uganda
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The A Rocha family is growing

 The A Rocha Worldwide Family has two new members: A Rocha Costa Rica and A Rocha Singapore! We are delighted to welcome them into the family, with the extra privilege of celebrating together at the A Rocha Leaders’ Forum.
 
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) describes Costa Rica as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. It is home to a vast array of ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, cloud forests and coastal areas, which support an impressive variety of species. A Rocha Costa Rica was previously known as Asociación Casa Adobe (ACA), founded in 2013 to create spaces that foster a comprehensive exchange between people and their environment. Over the years, the organization has achieved important milestones in community organizing, creative educational opportunities, ecological justice, and accompaniment of migrants and refugees. We look forward to sharing their ongoing story as part of the A Rocha family.
 
Singapore may be small and highly urbanised but it is also blessed with rich biodiversity and is known for its pioneering integration of nature into urban planning through initiatives such as the Singapore Green Plan. A Rocha Singapore plans to serve as a resource and catalyst for conservation in Southeast Asia – their team is rich in experience, connections and energy! A Rocha Singapore is also our first organization with a business and finance stream of work; they are exploring partnerships with sustainable finance initiatives to support conservation efforts, alongside their practical conservation projects and church engagement activities. There has been a Friends of A Rocha group in the country for many years and we are delighted now to call them family.

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Commitment grows change

Mr Magaraganja

What would you do for your patch of land? For your forest, or the land that has sustained you and your family for many years? In Mr Magaraganja’s case, becoming a key informant with regards to West Bugwe forest, Uganda was a way to make amends and give back to the land that sustains him.

It hasn’t always been this way – as a young man, Magaraganja was one of those who illegally cut down trees to make charcoal, the only livelihood he knew. He is now in his 70’s and has depended on the forest for an income his entire life. Now he regrets his illegal actions and is part of A Rocha’s Collaborative Forest Management – regular patrols of forest ambassadors working with the National Forest Authority to protect the forest and informing the authorities of any irregularities in the forest.  The CFM groups currently have 136 members who oversee the 50 hectares restored by A Rocha Uganda. West Bugwe is an area of 31 km2 of natural forest, one of only three remaining in Uganda’s Eastern region. It is officially protected as a reserve, but continues to be degraded by encroachment and illegal activities such as charcoal burning, farming and firewood collection. It is home to many species, including pangolin, one of the most trafficked species.

There are other ways to live off the land – training in bee-keeping, agroforestry and ‘Farming God’s Way’ (farming using techniques like mulch and crop rotation) has made a difference to households. A Rocha Uganda is working with the communities of West Bugwe to eradicate invasive species, minimise wildfires, plant trees and move forward together to build appropriate partnerships with community-shared capital assets. Other creatures which call the forest home need to be contended with – for example, the villagers believe a leopard is to blame when a goat is killed. Is it a leopard or some other reason? The team would love to put in camera traps to build evidence and understanding of what species are present. Snakes certainly are – putting in place a snake clinic and educating about the different species and living well together is one of the ways A Rocha is supporting the community.

How did this change of heart come about? Commitment and conversations. Over time, seeing the commitment of the A Rocha team, explaining why they do what they do and seeing the impact that their actions had, won Magaraganja over. May this encourage you in whatever local actions you may be engaged in – commitment and connections make a difference.

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