Top Story 2 - Ghana

Lending our voices to protect Ghana’s forest reserves

L.I. 2462 is a law passed by the Ghana government which grants mining rights within the critical ecosystems of forest reserves. A Rocha Ghana and partners pulled out all the stops for a recent two-day campaign, dubbed ‘DO GHANA GOOD 2.0’. The aim was to educate the public about the implications of L.I. 2462 and encourage signing a petition calling for the revoking of these controversial regulations.

Volunteers explained the dangers of mining in forest reserves, such as deforestation, loss of biodiversity and negative impacts on local communities, and emphasised the importance of preserving these natural resources for future generations. Grace Sogbey, Communications Officer at A Rocha Ghana, commented: ‘The enthusiastic response we received is a testament to the growing awareness among Ghanaians about the importance of protecting our environment. We believe that by uniting our voices, we can influence policy changes that will safeguard our natural heritage.’

By the end of the two-day engagement, nearly 1,000 signatures had been collected to complement an active online petition platform with over 7,000 signatures from citizens calling on President John Mahama to revoke L.I. 2462. The signatures will be presented in a formal petition aimed at urging the government to reconsider its stance on mining activities in forest reserves.

It is A Rocha Ghana’s stance that until L.I. 2462 is revoked, no forest reserve in Ghana is safe, making it imperative for all Ghanaians to join the campaign. One small act can have a big impact. More info and photos are on Facebook.

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Carbon Fasting and Kingdom Living: A Lenten Movement in Korea

Creation care begins with changes in our own life. The season of Lent – an opportunity to remember the suffering of Christ and reflect on the meaning of Lent – is a fitting time to challenge ourselves with lifestyle changes that align with our transformed identity as Christ’s children. It is also an opportunity to clarify that the gospel extends beyond our own lives to our neighbours and the created world.

Lenten Carbon Fasting invites Christians to reflect and repent, engage in spiritual practices (carbon fasting) and reclaim their true identity as creation’s stewards. It helps believers understand that Christ’s suffering and resurrection are for human salvation and for the restoration of God’s kingdom. It also focuses on recognizing increased suffering caused by the climate crisis, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities, and encourages practical actions to address climate inequality.

In Korea, to help people engage in a Lenten Carbon Fast, The Bright Foundation made available video materials, reflections and practical guides that aligned with this year’s Lent book, the Korean translation of Dave Bookless’s Planetwise. Video interviews with Dave and others – an atmospheric scientist, a seminary professor, nonprofit organization leaders and a zero-waste activist – provide insights on various topics. Daily reflection and practice guides are included, with quotes from the book to encourage deeper meditation and practical carbon fasting challenges each week.

92 churches participated! The Korean media joined in, with newspaper interviews and campaign materials broadcast during Lent on CTS (Christian Television System). Donations from participating churches went to the Goodwill Store initiative, which helps individuals with developmental disabilities find welfare and stable employment. Carbon Fasting participants were also encouraged to donate items to the Goodwill Stores, reflecting on their consumption habits and embracing a life of sharing and moderation. We continue to pray with these Christians in Korea for good fruit of reconciliation and restoration.

Jee-hye Jeong, The Bright Foundation

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A Rocha France – Kitchen Crew

 The Domaine des Courmettes is a magnificent natural area managed by A Rocha France, a Christian environmental protection association, which organizes numerous stays, seminars and group events throughout the year. 

We’re looking for volunteers to help out in the kitchen all year round, particularly in April and July-August. 

  • Are you interested in helping out with training or vacation stays? 
  • Do you enjoy working in a (small) team? 
  • Are you comfortable with potentially repetitive tasks (cutting, peeling, washing up, etc.)? 

We’re offering you the chance to join our team and help prepare meals for our holiday participants: 

  • at least one week, more if possible (we prefer applications for longer periods) 
  • in an exceptional natural setting between sea and mountains 
  • with the possibility of taking part in certain activities (depending on scheduling constraints) 
  • ….. and the opportunity to meet people of all ages and backgrounds! 
  • 4 to 5 hours work per day 
  • Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings off + 1 day a week 
  • Room and board: 16.50€ / day or tent: 11€ / day 
  • Or possibility of combining volunteer work with vacation on site…. 
 
To contact us, please click the link below and fill in the online form
Online form

You can also contact us directly at: [email protected]

Czech volunteer week

Volunteering week with A Rocha Czech Republic

Where: Keith Morris Eco-centre – Krupárna, Dobré č. p. 85, Dobruška

Mapy.cz: 50.2629261N, 16.2520033E

Programme:

  • Above all, lots of fun and joy together, but we’ll also work hard and get our hands dirty!
  • You’ll practice your English and German (and Czech!).
  • Morning work in groups in the garden and in the eco-centre building (cleaning ponds, weeding beds, preparing wood for the winter, building a forest latrine).
  • Afternoon active rest, e.g. mini-course in ornithology, mycology and herbalism, observation of bumblebees, wetland exploration, trips to the Eagle Mountains and other interesting places.
  • Mornings and evenings with songs, talks, concert and Bible readings on environmental topics.
  • Evenings together sharing participants’ experiences in the field of nature conservation.

We will be happy for you to bring photos or short films.

Accommodation: preferably in your own tent or forest shelter; some beds are available with local friends. There is also space to put a mattress on the floor in the building.

Food: we will enjoy community meals together, prepared by a professional chef and with the help of participants.

Cost (food and energy allowance): 1 500 CZK for the whole stay. Students 1 200 CZK.

Capacity is limited to 30 people.

Can’t make it for the whole week? You are welcome to come just for a few days.

Pavel Světlík and the A Rocha team are looking forward to seeing you!

Please complete the application and send it [email protected] by 15 June.

APPLY HERE
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Double your impact for a flourishing ocean

We’re excited to let you know we have been selected to participate again in the Big Give Green Match Fund! 

With so many cuts to overseas development, this is a great opportunity to raise £62,000 to protect threatened species and restore critical and degraded habitats, from the coral reefs of Kenya to the vast coasts of India.  

Our target is ambitious, but the scale of challenges facing the oceans is also immense. Marine life is under pressure from multiple interrelated major threats including overharvesting, bleaching events, climate shocks, sedimentation and pollution, invasive species, plastic pollution, marine litter and illegal fishing. There is also a lack of awareness across schools, community, faith and fisher-groups, about the vast amount of damage being done both directly and indirectly to marine ecosystems. Those who are aware may not have the tools, knowledge or theology to take effective action. Finally, poverty can trap communities so they see no option but to exploit coastal ecosystems! Your support can address these needs. 

We are already doing incredible marine work on six continents. Your donation will help our scientists start two new marine conservation projects and monitor the health and threats to marine habitats through scientific research in at least five countries, and mobilize thousands of people in coastal cleanups, microplastic research and education. Church communities around the globe will step up as active participants in marine conservation through our publications on Blue Theology. 

The Green Match kicks off at noon GMT on #EarthDay, 22 April and continues until noon on 29 April. During that time, every contribution made through our campaign page on the Big Give Green Match website* will be DOUBLED. 

One donation, twice the impact. 

* Please note that only donations made through our campaign page on the Big Give website between 22-29 April are eligible to be doubled (while match funds last). The donate button will appear on the campaign page when the Green Match launches. 

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Where green starts: A Rocha Perú’s thriving seed nursery

 In the sun-scorched landscapes of northern Peru in La Libertad, where dry forests face increasing threats from climate change and deforestation, a quiet but powerful movement is taking root, one seedling at a time. At the heart of this effort is A Rocha Perú’s seed nursery, a small but mighty space that has become the foundation for ecological restoration and sustainable living in the region.

Between January and March 2025, the nursery has played a crucial role in cultivating native tree species like algarrobo, along with edible plants such as chili peppers (ají escabeche), papayas, ice-cream bean plants (pacay), and spinach. Each plant is grown with care and purpose – some destined to restore fragile ecosystems, others to nourish families. This season alone, over 100 algarrobo seedlings raised in the nursery were successfully planted across Pacasmayo and Pacanguilla. At the same time, dozens of edible plants were donated to local families, helping them build healthier and more sustainable homes. Every 15 days, new seeds are sown to maintain a steady rhythm of growth, and each week, fresh sprouts emerge.

What makes this nursery truly special is the deep care behind the process. The team at A Rocha Perú not only oversee planting and distribution; they’re also perfecting compost formulas tailored to each species, ensuring every plant has the nutrients it needs to thrive. It’s this kind of detailed, intentional work that transforms a simple nursery into a hub of resilience and renewal. More than just a place where plants grow, A Rocha Perú’s nursery is a space where hope takes root, and where tomorrow’s forests and today’s harvests are grown side by side.

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A butterfly’s lifeline

The Southern Festoon Zerynthia polyxena and its host plant form an emblematic pair. Found in the Mediterranean wetlands, the Southern Festoon is a striking butterfly with pale yellow wings marked with black stripes and red and blue dots. A protected species in France, medium-sized (4 to 5 cm wingspan), adults are on the wing from mid-March to the end of May. It’s highly vulnerable because the caterpillars eat only one plant: Aristolochia.  

Aristolochia is a perennial plant 20 to 60 cm high that thrives on the banks of watercourses and grassy ditches. The female Southern Festoon lays her eggs exclusively under the leaves of this plant, on which the caterpillars subsequently feed. Aristolochia contains a highly toxic compound that protects it from herbivores but the Southern Festoon caterpillars and adult butterflies are resistant to it. The toxin accumulates in the caterpillars, turning them into unpalatable prey, even when adult butterflies. A helpful outcome – for the Southern Festoon! 

The population distribution is very localized and clearly linked to that of Aristolochia, making protection all the more targeted. Aristolochia habitat can be threatened by urbanization, wetland drainage, expansion of agricultural land or intensive scrub clearance. A Rocha France is delighted that two sites they manage in the Vallée des Baux marshes (south of France) host two Southern Festoon populations.  

Since 2012, the team has undertaken annual population monitoring of the Southern Festoon, looking to understand the population dynamics and the effect of management measures put in place. The team uses a census protocol based on the Capture, Marking and Recapture (CMR) of individuals, according to the specific rules of working with a protected butterfly species. Each butterfly is given a unique mark so it can be identified by binoculars or re-captured. Management measures are also in place, such as late mowing, to encourage the development of Aristolochia while limiting the risks of destroying caterpillars. 

This year, the first Southern Festoon adult butterflies were observed on 12 March, slightly earlier than other years. Data analysis will reveal the effect of management and climatic events on population dynamics – such as the 2024 flooding that occurred at one of the sites, resulting in much lower populations. The team will be looking at the accumulated years of data to consider trends and impact – stay tuned for findings! 

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A new puppy in the dog squad!

A Rocha India has just welcomed its newest and youngest team member – a Belgian Malinois to join their pioneering Elephant Anti-Depredation Dog Squad (EaDDS). As a breed, they are courageous, athletic and have a high capacity for work. 

This little pup has started her training to help ease human and elephant conflict as a conservation detection dog. Specifically, the dogs will work with the Elephant Task Force of the Karnataka Forest Department to track elephant movement and prevent them from entering human-dominated spaces.

The Bannerghatta National Park is surrounded by 77 villages practicing subsistence farming. Wild elephants can not only damage crops but also cause fatalities. The canine unit is a proactive measure for mitigating human-elephant conflict around Bannerghatta. It helps reduce time taken to identify the exact location of elephants during instances of conflict, which usually happen at night. 

The new puppy is undergoing a careful training process, supported by a panel of expert dog trainers. She is living in a canine training facility setup by A Rocha solely for the purpose of the project. They have refurbished a rented property in Bannerghatta with a fully functional kennel, training ground, housing for dog handlers and other needed amenities. The hope is for the project to be eventually handed over to the forest department, who are fully engaged in and supportive of the pilot phase.  

For more about this innovative conservation project, click here. 

Images: 
Sudhamshu Rao, Conservation Officer A Rocha India, with the puppy  
Photos by Mel Ong

Swiss-gardens

Minuscule but mighty gardens

According to the World Bank, around 56% of the world’s human population now lives in cities. If you are one of the majority in an urban environment, you might wonder what you can do to play your part in tackling the crisis of biodiversity loss.

For all its picture-perfect scenery, Switzerland also has plenty of residents whose only outdoor spaces are small gardens, balconies or window boxes. A Rocha Switzerland works to inspire people to use even the tiniest places as opportunities to grow diverse flora and fauna. These create essential habitats and food sources for wild animals, birds and insects, as well as improving human quality of life with their beauty.  

A Rocha runs workshops and advisory services for groups of neighbours, families and church groups. The team will assess the space and offers advice, sending the group a plan as follow up. They also lead on-site activities such as building insect hotels, setting up hedgehog shelters or planting shrubs.  

Visit A Rocha Switzerland’s website to find out more. 

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A life-changing volunteer experience at A Rocha Kenya

In September 2024, Jack Hodgson travelled to Kenya to be an A Rocha volunteer at their Mwamba Centre for six months. As he counted down the days to the end of his stay, he spoke to us about his experience and how volunteering his time made a great difference in his life. 
 
Tell us about yourself and what you were doing before you became a volunteer.  
I come from the UK. I had just finished secondary school, where I’d heard Peter Harris give a talk at our Christian Union club. He spoke about the ever-changing environmental factors that my dad has also been teaching me. I liked the sound of what A Rocha does, so when Peter told me about the possibility of volunteering at A Rocha Kenya, I was up for the challenge.  
 
What is your day-to-day life as a volunteer?  
One of the amazing things is that I haven’t had the same day-to-day. Aside from helping set the table for communal meals, my tasks reflected whatever needs arose at the centre. I started out as a properties and facilities assistant, which involved helping with odd jobs like as cleaning gutters and doing general maintenance. Then I got introduced to birds by Colin, the team leader, and eventually became a data enterer for the Ngulia bird ringing project in Tsavo National Park. As a fun side job, I raised three kittens after a wild cat gave birth at Mwamba Centre. Two have been adopted. 
  
How did you get involved with the A Rocha Kenya’s conservation projects?  
I got my dive qualification whilst here in Kenya, and so I was able to join the marine team in coral gardening activities and shark and reef surveys. I also went to Dakatcha, an A Rocha woodlands nature reserve, and met the A Rocha scouts. In one of their Monday morning meetings, they told us about struggling with herders bringing their animals into the protected land. Then, as we were seated conversing, out of the blue a snake slithered up from the trees above. That is when you realize you are truly in nature! 
  
What were some of the highlights of your experience?  
I was fortunate to go to the Tana River Delta to take part in the National Water Bird Count. A few of us camped in an abandoned lodge on the riverbank, counting birds. Before I came to Kenya, I knew nothing about birds, so I think it’s safe to say that not only is my faith being developed through Monday morning meetings and team Bible studies, but my bird knowledge has also definitely been developed. 
 
Back at Mwamba, on Thursday mornings, volunteers wake up early before sunrise for bird ringing and open all the bird nets in the dark. I always used that as an opportunity to sit on the beach and have a sunrise swim. I got to see some amazing Kenyan sunrises and sunsets. 
  
Getting my diving license has been cool. My dad has always loved diving. When he visited, I was able to dive with him. 

What will you miss the most?  
It has been nice to get to know people. It is a real family feeling when you eat together – and the food’s amazing. I’ll miss saying hello in the morning to everyone. That’s going to be a big difference back home because, in the UK, everyone just gives you a nod. 
  
What are your greatest takeaways?  
I hadn’t really started life yet, I guess. This was my introduction to the world outside of school. I’m now ready to go home and start a new chapter of life back in the UK. The experience has made me grow in confidence, faith and teamwork by working with a cross-cultural, multilingual and diverse team. I have also learned a little bit of Swahili. 
  
What are your plans after this?  
I don’t feel like this will be my last time at A Rocha Kenya. It is a beautiful place, ‘a little slice of heaven’ as is often said. It’s not been a bad place to spend the last six months with the beach is a stone’s throw away.  
 
Once home, I’ll be off to the University of Liverpool to study geography. It’s really been incredibly helpful having learned at school about coral reefs and then here what’s being done to help them, as well as about the benefits of mangroves. Diving with a marine team and doing the surveys in Mida Creek in the mangroves was great experience. It’s been amazing to put some context around what I learned at school. Next I hope to get a job as a groundman!  
 
Jack, thank you for all you’ve given A Rocha and we wish you well!