Youth Who Inspire Change and Conservation

On the northern coast of Peru, the La Libertad Dry Forest in Pacasmayo harbors biodiversity that is as fragile as it is extraordinary. This ecosystem, full of life and contrasts, is also one of the most threatened in the country. Through the Dry Forest Project, A Rocha Peru works to restore and conserve it, promoting the participation of local communities to ensure its sustainability and return vitality to the forest. 

As part of this effort, the Youth Environmental Network was born, an initiative designed to engage communities and train the next generation to become future environmental leaders. Eleven university students from the National University of Trujillo and the Private University of the North responded to the call with enthusiasm, eager to learn and be part of the change. From the very beginning, their energy, curiosity, and dedication made a difference. 

Over the past months, these young people have participated in a comprehensive training program that combines scientific knowledge with personal growth. Through seven training workshops, they have developed skills in environmental leadership, communication, forest inventory techniques, conservation, and ecological restoration. Each session has been an opportunity to learn, practice, and share knowledge, both in the classroom and in the field.

The most inspiring part has been watching their role evolve. At first, they arrived as participants, but over time they took on new challenges: assisting in organizing workshops, supporting our environmental promoter by guiding small groups, and even leading workshops on their own. Their confidence, commitment, and ability to convey the message of conservation have grown with each experience.

Today, seeing them act with ease, lead activities, speak passionately, and take responsibility fills us with pride. They represent what we value most in this project: the power of education and the hope that new generations bring. Their commitment to the forest and their communities is inspiring, reminding us that true change begins when someone dares to act.

At A Rocha Peru, we firmly believe that training environmental leaders also means shaping conscious, empathetic, and committed individuals. They are proof that the future of the Dry Forest is already taking root today in every young person who learns, teaches, and cares with love.

International Volunteering Opportunities with A Rocha Peru

From June to August, A Rocha Peru had the joy of hosting Valeria, an international volunteer who dedicated over two months of her time and energy to caring for creation in Pacasmayo. Working full-time, she became a key member of the Proyecto Bosque Seco team, bringing creativity, initiative, and a great desire to learn.

“My main responsibility was to support the team in Pacasmayo, which was in charge of the Proyecto Bosque Seco,” Valeria shares. “I helped plan and organize workshops on environmental topics such as microplastics and water conservation in Peru.” Her days were filled with activity: she painted signs for a school garden, organized a field trip to Bosque Cañoncillo, and designed educational games that helped children learn in a fun way.

Along with a group of women from the community, she participated in embroidery workshops and helped design a logo for the handmade bags they create. “The goal was to help them sell their products, even internationally,” she explains. Her creativity also reached the Proyecto Amazonía, where she led a painting workshop using natural materials, such as stones found in the area, to make the communal space more welcoming and full of life.

Beyond the skills she gained, what impacted Valeria the most was the experience of living and working closely with the local community. “The most rewarding part was seeing how consistency and genuine presence build trust and connection, where mutual support and solidarity are a natural part of daily life,” she reflects. “I realized that conservation is not only about protecting ecosystems but also understanding the needs and hopes of the people who live there.”

But Valeria was not the only volunteer who had a transformative experience. Noah, who came from Nashville, United States, was also part of the project, and his story of adventure and connection is equally inspiring.

Noah working with local kids (July, 2025)

Noah, who is the Conservation Coordinator at A Rocha USA, decided to do international volunteering in Peru to contribute to the Proyecto Amazonía and collaborate with the Machiguenga community in Monte Carmelo. During his time there, Noah focused his efforts primarily on maintaining the greenhouse in Monte Carmelo, where he collected seeds, cared for plants, and maintained the space to ensure the greenhouse continued to be a vital resource for the community.

Additionally, one of his main focuses was conducting interviews with members of the Machiguenga community. This resulted in two main products: a visual guide of the cultural knowledge the Machiguenga have regarding ecological indicators, such as signs to know the timing of fish egg-laying or when to plant or hunt, and written versions of the Machiguenga’s ancestral legends, both for adults and children. These versions were intended not only for the community’s use but also as reference material for A Rocha Peru.

One of the most meaningful aspects of his experience was the opportunity to document the Machiguenga’s ancestral legends, a project Noah described as a true honor. “I had the opportunity to listen to the stories, myths, and legends of the community, and being able to work on them has been incredibly valuable,” Noah shared. This work, besides being an enriching experience for him, has a profound and lasting impact on the community. The ability to preserve this knowledge without it being lost across generations is a true gift, both for the Machiguenga community and for A Rocha Peru.

Through volunteers like Valeria and Noah, A Rocha Peru continues to build bridges: between people and nature, between cultures, and between generations. These testimonies reflect how the adventure of international volunteering not only changes lives but also creates meaningful connections that endure beyond borders.

The Art that Conserves the Dry Forest

The La Libertad Dry Forest Project aims to restore and conserve one of the region’s most important ecosystems: the dry forest of Pacasmayo. Through this initiative, the project works to protect over 1,350 hectares of this valuable forest, which has been affected by human activity, while promoting sustainable practices with local communities.

In this context, the project’s artisans have found a space where their art not only honors the flora and fauna of the dry forest but also incorporates traditional patterns from the local culture. Over several months, they have participated in workshops that have allowed them to blend their ancestral knowledge with new skills, creating pieces that reflect the natural and cultural richness of their environment.

Each crafted piece is a vibrant representation of the nature surrounding them, while also incorporating traditional patterns that tell stories of their community. The designs, inspired by both the biodiversity of the forest and the local cultural identity, serve as a reminder of the deep connection these women have with their land, history, and roots.

What’s most special about these workshops is that they have not only been a space for learning and creativity but also a place of tranquility and support for the women in the community. Here, they have found a space to share experiences, empower each other, and build a support network. Thus, the workshop becomes much more than a creative space—it is also a place for connection, growth, and empowerment.

Lady from the artisan club showing her creation (September, 2025)

Through their crafts, the women are not only generating sustainable income but also promoting the conservation of the dry forest. By incorporating natural and cultural elements into their creations, they are becoming guardians of their heritage, spreading their message of protection and respect for nature to new audiences.

The Bosque Seco Project demonstrates how art, nature, and community can come together to build a more sustainable future, where environmental preservation and the empowerment of people go hand in hand.

The Machiguenga Botanic Garden as a Bridge Between Tradition and Nature

In the Native Community of Monte Carmelo, a new space of life and learning has taken root. After six months of work, the Machiguenga Botanic Garden has been completed: a place where ancestral wisdom and environmental conservation come together in harmony.

This initiative began in April, when the community of Monte Carmelo formally granted one hectare of land for the creation of a community botanical garden. From that moment, A Rocha Peru, together with local residents and the respected elder Máximo Kategari, began a journey of restoration and collaboration. The work included clearing and conditioning trails, identifying native species, collecting medicinal plants, and installing interpretive signs that tell the stories and uses of each one.

Throughout the process, the garden became more than just a conservation space: it became a meeting point for generations. The participation of the Local School of Monte Carmelo and several community volunteers strengthened the connection between traditional knowledge and modern science. For the youth, it is an open-air classroom; for the elders, it is a living testimony of their cultural heritage.

Now completed, the Machiguenga Botanic Garden will continue to grow as a space for education, research, and community reflection. Its goal is to identify and document 100% of the species present, ensuring that each one becomes a tool for learning and conservation.

Beyond its ecological importance, the garden symbolizes unity and continuity. It preserves the medicinal plants that have healed generations and invites new ones to care for the forest with the same reverence. Through this effort, Monte Carmelo shows that protecting nature is also a way of protecting memory, and that in every leaf and root, life and wisdom flourish together.