Photo credit: Andrew Simpson

Spiders matter too!

Katipō, NZ’s only venomous spider

Katipō Latrodectus katipo is New Zealand’s only venomous native spider, classified as ‘in serious decline’ by the Department of Conservation, and only one of two native spiders fully protected by New Zealand law. It is a coastal sand dune specialist and has suffered a dramatic decline in numbers. Jim O’Malley has been surveying Katipō populations in the Wellington and Wairarapa coastal areas and shared his findings at A Rocha’s Wellington Local Group Winter Kōrero in July.

Spiders can be sensitive to habitat loss and degradation. For the Katipō, destabilised coastal sand dunes have led to a massive reduction in appropriate habitat. This was a result of stock grazing, competition from an accidentally introduced spider Steatoda capensis, climate change and sea-level rise, and the disturbance and vegetation burning that accompanied European settlement, followed by ongoing commercial forestry, recreational use of dune systems and other activities. The introduction of Marram grass Ammophila arenaria, a plant which stabilises sand, exacerbated the problem over time: Marram grass initially stabilises dunes and provides good habitat for Katipō and its invertebrate prey, but over time can become so dense that web construction is difficult and the quantity of prey decreases.

In a nation-wide survey of Katipō in 2002, Katipō were found at five coastal Wairarapa locations. This has now declined to two. However, another population was discovered in Wellington Harbour. Through systematic surveying, we are finding increasing numbers at these sites – an encouraging outcome, despite there being fewer populations over time.

Of particular concern is the increasing effect of climate change and sea-level rise upon these Katipō populations. Where the foredunes are low in height, storm surges penetrate the rear dune areas, washing away everything in their path, potentially adversely affecting Katipō populations. While these events have of course occurred historically, storm surges have increased in frequency and intensity. The survey methodology has been modified to measure these factors and better understand these effects. 

Two locations with currently sufficiently high foredunes to withstand storm surges have been identified – these will be managed as Katipō conservation areas where applicable planting, predator control and habitat enhancement will maximise Katipō numbers at each site. Participation in the monitoring expeditions is welcomed! 

Photo credit: Andrew Simpson

Ed-Walker - still

A new Executive Director for A Rocha International

A Rocha International looks forward to welcoming Ed Walker MBE as our new Executive Director on 1 September! Following an extensive global search, our trustees were unanimous in their decision to appoint Ed, confident he is God’s person to lead us into the next season. Chair of Trustees Soohwan Park says, 

‘Ed is a man of integrity, compassion and vision. He is someone who courageously obeys God’s call to respond to crisis and is stepping into the calling to lead A Rocha as we play our part to address the environmental crises facing us. We are grateful God has brought us a leader of his character and calibre.’ 

Having founded and, for 13 years, led the multi-award-winning homeless charity, Hope into Action, Ed has a strong track record of developing organizations and teams. In his previous work of disaster relief with Tearfund he spent ten years in war zones, including three and a half in Darfur, where he witnessed first-hand the horror of an ‘environmental-degradation war’. As an amateur ornithologist, trained mountain leader, PADI scuba diver and sea-kayaker, he loves God’s creation and believes wholeheartedly in A Rocha’s mission and vision. 

Ed says, ‘It is a huge honour to have been appointed in this role for A Rocha International.  

A Rocha is at once both an amazing story and also thousands of individual and very personal stories. I recognize the courage, hard work and inspiration from many who have gone before.  

A Rocha’s work is so close to God’s heart: the environment, poverty, simple living, speaking out, justice, community, theology, education and science are all intrinsically interwoven with the command of Jesus to “preach Good News to all creation”.’

Please keep Ed and the whole A Rocha family in your prayers, and join us in giving Ed a warm welcome in September. 

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Following the beaver tracks

In 15 years of working in the Vallée des Baux, A Rocha France had seen signs of the European Beaver Castor fiber, but was never able to observe it. When the team recently came across fresh beaver tracks, they were determined to find this elusive creature.  

In France, the beaver is a nationally protected semi-aquatic mammal. It has long been hunted for its fur and flesh, to the point of becoming extremely rare. The destruction or modification of beaver habitat by building dams and urbanizing banks has caused further population regression. Today, thanks to actions to reintroduce, observe and protect the species and its environment, the beaver population in France is gradually increasing. 

Beavers are nocturnal, so it can be difficult to catch sight of them. Traces left behind alert us to their presence, like gnawed trees and pruned stumps after feeding on soft wood. After noticing beaver tracks, the Vallée des Baux team set up two photo traps. At first they only caught footage of birds and empty marshes. Finally after two weeks: success! 

Night-time footage revealed a beaver feasting on wood for nearly an hour. In only five minutes, it felled a tree and then got to work on smaller branches, using its dexterous paws and large incisors. 

Beaver activity – felling trees and building dams – creates favourable habitat for a variety of other species: insects that live in the wood become food for other species. Some birds nest on top of beaver lodges, and inside there is habitat for other creatures like voles and amphibians. Beaver ponds also improve water quality and support riparian zones that help mitigate the effects of climate change. We can learn a lot from this ‘engineering species’ which transforms its environment in a way that benefits the whole ecosystem, and we are thrilled to have them as co-labourers in preserving the Vallée des Baux.  

You can see the remote footage of the Vallée des Baux beaver in A Rocha France’s video: 

Swiss dry meadows - ARCH

A decade’s work makes an impact on Swiss dry meadows

Looking at images of Switzerland on tourism websites and chocolate boxes, you’d be forgiven in assuming wildlife was flourishing in this idyllically beautiful part of the world. Sadly, it’s not the case. Dry meadows – which are habitat for more than 30% of the country’s living species, including flowers, grasshoppers, butterflies, reptiles and birds – have reduced by 90% since 1950 due to intensive agriculture, urbanization and scrub encroachment. 

For the past ten years, A Rocha Switzerland has supported farmers and other landowners and operators to manage the meadows in a way that protects biodiversity. Last year alone, A Rocha ran 12 ‘nature action days’ during which 107 volunteers removed invasive plants, cleared bushes and helped the farmers make their land more suitable for sensitive species. In addition, they carried out inventories of Lepidoptera (butterflies), Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets) and flora on 11 parcels of dry meadow habitat. They logged a total of 71 species of Lepidoptera – including 16 on the Swiss Red List of threatened species – and 29 species of Orthoptera, including 12 on the Swiss Red List. The scientific reports and inventory data have been shared with the cantons and the Swiss fauna mapping centre.   

Ursula Peutot, A Rocha Switzerland’s Executive Director says, ‘We believe that the work we do in the dry meadows is very important. Not many nature conservation organizations focus on this area, and it is important to biodiversity in Switzerland. The work we do with the farmers and the contact with them is also key, that they may get practical help for preserving nature and not just feel like they are the ones made responsible for biodiversity loss when it is our global society that has taken them there.’ 

Take-Root_May23

Take Root

The next video in A Rocha’s ‘Elements of Hope’ video series, Take Root, explores the benefits of developing deep relationships and committing to a particular place or community over time. 

This video shares A Rocha’s approach to conservation over the long term through two specific stories, including the protection of vulnerable habitats of the Alvor Estuary in Portugal and living by example amidst a younger population in Uganda new to ideas such as creation care.  

Sara Kaweesa of A Rocha Uganda explains, ‘I think when we put down roots, God is probably doing something. Maybe using your life to speak to somebody else. You just have to get there and do what you’re supposed to do so that other people can either copy you or your light shines out to them, and they will see the light and know where to go.’  

Being rooted in a community helps us grow and flourish, while also giving shelter and encouragement to others through our faithful and steady obedience to God’s calling for us, whatever it may be.  

Marcial Felgueiras of A Rocha Portugal adds, ‘This is how A Rocha views conservation. You grow roots. You are dedicated to a place. I think that has made a huge impact. The reason for success is God, definitely. It is because we’ve obeyed God’s call that we’ve managed to keep the area (the Alvor Estuary) as it is.’  

Join us in watching Take Root and feel free to share the video with your church, school, bible study or youth group. You can find the accompanying discussion guide here and download the video from our Vimeo channel here. Let us know how you are taking root in your own community! 

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Corals bounce back

Coral bleaching is one of the biggest threats to reefs around the world and one of increasing concern as abnormally hot weather events become more frequent. 

In Kenya’s Watamu Marine National Park, the latest severe bleaching event took place in 2020. A Rocha Kenya’s marine team has been working with Kenya Wildlife Service, using permanent quadrats (randomly selected one-metre square samples of habitat), to collect data on four coral reefs in the reserve. Coral care packages purchased through A Rocha’s Gifts with a Difference have helped enable these reefs to be monitored for over three years, which is starting to yield some encouraging results. Although some corals died, many survived and appear to be more robust and resilient to the climate pressures they are facing. This gives us hope that Watamu’s corals may be adapting to cope better with heat stress. 

Dr Benjamin Cowburn partnered with A Rocha scientists to present results of this research at the recent International Coral Reef Symposium. The research suggests a way forward to identify threats that keep the reefs from thriving and proposes rewilding through coral gardening, using local species that have adapted to the bleaching events. Exciting times lie ahead for our work in protecting and restoring coral reefs in Kenya! 

You can shop for coral care packages at Gifts with a Difference to help us learn more about how corals are responding to bleaching events and produce appropriate management recommendations to protect the reefs in the future. 

Sweden_May23

Taking root in tradition

An A Rocha KriNa community is taking root in Southeast Sweden, and with it, a new apple meadow is coming to life.  

Anchored in the Kviinge parish (Swedish Lutheran Church) in Östra Göinge, A Rocha KriNa has sparked interest in creation theology and conservation work. In the spring of 2022, they started the process of planting an apple meadow. They began by collaborating with the local group Göinge slåttersällskap (‘mowing association’) to carry out controlled burning of vegetation. This association is working for the restoration of old meadows, sharing knowledge about managing meadows, and passing on the craft of scything. 25 people of different ages participated in the work, gaining practical knowledge on caring for meadows and their importance for biological diversity. The burnt meadow was quickly transformed as green healthy grass grew up. 

In August, the Göinge mowing association returned and held a course in scything. 20 participants practiced the traditional art of mowing grass, and they were even visited by the governor of the county of Skåne, Anneli Hulthén. By October, the entire meadow was mowed. The first apple tree was planted in November and now five are in the ground. In the future, A Rocha KriNa will sow flowering meadow plants, mow the grass in the summer and continue planting trees. 

The apple trees are rootstocks of various types (slow-growing and vigorous-growing) with different apple varieties grafted onto them. Before they were put in the ground, they were cared for and watered regularly for two to three years. This project strives to benefit pollinators, produce fruit in an ecological way and create a beautiful place, invoking fascination, rest and worship. Working with apple trees takes a long-term commitment, and we hope that this meadow will be a testimony of A Rocha’s Christian hope for many years to come!  

Take-you-out_May23

Let us take you out!

Looking for getaway ideas? Want to spend time in nature, learn something new or have the chance to give back in some way? A Rocha has options for you! 

Want to delve into something for a week? A Rocha Czech Republic invites you to join them at their centre, Krupárna, 12-19 August for their annual volunteer week – seven days of nature, community, learning and prayer. Fill out the application form and email it to [email protected] by 30 June.  

A Rocha France offers week-long options for all ages throughout the summer, with conferences on different themes hosted at Les Courmettes (they also welcome volunteers!). The programme is normally in French, with an English presence the week of 6-12 August with Joie et Vie (Joy and Life) and in English with France Mission 17-23 September. A Rocha Switzerland runs kids’ camps in French in August, a time of wonder and discovery in nature.  

If you have a day and you’re in the southern hemisphere, join A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand for their Ocean Deep, Ocean Wide retreat at New Brighton Church, Christchurch on 30 June. If you’re in Winnipeg, Manitoba, you can attend lectures and workshops on theology, climate change and creation care at the Be not afraid / Consider the lilies conference, 9-11 June. And if it’s a Thursday and you happen to be in the Algarve, A Rocha Portugal is always happy to welcome you at Cruzinha on their Thursday Visitor Mornings.  

Or maybe you are looking for something a little longer, a chance to live in community and dig into – literally! – what it means to care for the earth? A Rocha Canada offers three to six-month residencies at Brooksdale, their residential centre near Vancouver – a life-changing experience.  

If you can’t get to an A Rocha place in person, perhaps you would like to bring A Rocha home to you in the form of the Wild Wonder camp curriculum for children – designed for groups and churches, it’s available as a resource for purchase from A Rocha USA to get outside and experience the wonderful world God has made. Soon available in Spanish too! 

However you join in with us, we welcome you.  

Eco-Church2

Eco Church in action

The 16th century Spanish nun Teresa of Ávila wrote, ‘Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.’ We, the Church, are the body of Christ. Through A Rocha UK’s Eco Church project, the natural world is being blessed in large and small ways around England and Wales.  

Churches can take an online survey about actions relating to worship and teaching, management of church buildings, management of church land, community and global engagement and lifestyle. Each action they take gets them points – enough points gets them an award. But more importantly, each action is an expression of God’s love for the world.  

St Paul’s Marylebone is adding taller plants to their outdoor space to increase biodiversity and have created a water area for birds and other wildlife. Christ Church in Higher Bebington has done years of work on their buildings, has planted an orchard and a wildflower meadow and made a woodland walk and pond areas on their land. Hathersage Methodist Church has changed all the light fittings on the premises to LED bulbs and created havens for wildlife on church land through birdboxes, bug-hotels and re-wilding. They host a regular Repair Café in the church hall and have launched a volunteer group to maintain the woodland garden next to the church. Glossop Parish Church has installed bird boxes, bug and hedgehog hotels, and abstain from hedge trimming when birds might be nesting. Lindley Methodist Church share eco-lifestyle tips in their weekly church notices and have made alterations to the heating and lighting in the church building to improve efficiency and are installing water harvesting systems. 

Each church that takes part in Eco Church is participating in God’s blessing of this world he loves and demonstrating faith in action to their wider community. 

Creation-Care2

Why should the church care for God’s creation?

In a new short film from A Rocha, we explore the relationship between the church and the environment and look at how God is calling the church to care for his creation.  

What does the church have to do with creation care and why should we care for God’s creation? First, because God asks us to care for it. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God made us to be part of this creation, and Genesis 2:15 tells us that God put humankind in the garden to serve and protect it.  

Second, because God calls us to love our neighbour (Mark 12:31), especially the weak and vulnerable. Environmental degradation has severe consequences – such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution – that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. As followers of Christ, we are called to love our neighbours and to seek justice and mercy for all. This means we need to care for the land, sea, sky and everything in it – on which we and our neighbours all depend. 

Third, because Jesus is Lord. We can share and show his Lordship by caring for this world that he created. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it (Psalm 24:1). God has never abandoned or forsaken what he has made. Instead, God became Immanuel – God with us. Our brokenness is also the brokenness of earth, and it is for God’s love of the whole world that he sent his son (John 3:16). 

We, the church, can come alongside God in the work he is already doing to sustain and redeem all of creation.  

We encourage you to share this film with your church, Bible study or home group. ‘Why should the church care for God’s creation?’ is available on A Rocha’s Vimeo channel here. You can learn more about A Rocha’s creation care resources or about supporting A Rocha as a Church Partner at arocha.org/church-partners.