The A Rocha Peru team with the students of the primary school (June, 2025)
During the month of June, more than 100 students from various educational institutions in Pacasmayo took part in educational workshops on the dry forest, designed to awaken their love and respect for the environment around them.
Through games, interactive activities, and practical examples, the children not only learned but also understood the importance of the algarrobo tree and local biodiversity, both essential to the health of their communities and the balance of the ecosystem. Recognizing the value of what grows close to home is also recognizing their identity and their role as caretakers of the land.
The most inspiring part was seeing their ideas bloom: many presented creative proposals to protect the dry forest, showing not only understanding, but deep commitment. With each workshop, the desire to keep sowing hope grows stronger. Because when education connects with the land, it also takes root in the heart.
The classroom transformed into a forest full of stories, aromas, and living memories. At the Igoriteshiari Primary School, in the Native Community of Monte Carmelo, a deeply enriching experience took place: educational workshops on medicinal plants, guided by a local elder—an ancestral keeper of the forest’s healing secrets.
Second Medicinal Plants Workshop at the Igoriteshiari Primary School (June, 2025)
Over the course of this trimester, two workshops have been held, benefiting more than 40 kids, from this school. In each session, students learned which plants help soothe stomach pain, which promote sleep, and which ones need to be protected because they’re becoming scarce. Every plant shared carried a story, a family memory, a lesson on how to care not only for the body but also for the environment.
More than just workshops, these were acts of cultural transmission. For many children, it was the first time they heard someone speak with such respect and depth about the medicine that comes from the forest—medicine that has healed generations before them. The elder didn’t just explain the properties of the plants; he taught them to see the forest with new eyes: not as a mere resource, but as an ally to be respected and protected.
Promoted by A Rocha Peru, these spaces aim to revalue traditional medicine as a vital part of local knowledge, to promote forest care, and to strengthen cultural pride in the living heritage of Amazonian communities.
From A Rocha Peru’s Green Church Project, we continue to sow ecological awareness within faith communities. As part of this commitment, we are excited to present a new quiz “How Green Is Your Church?” — a simple yet powerful resource designed to help churches reflect on how they are living out their call to care for God’s creation.
This questionnaire is born from a deep conviction: that to worship the Creator is also to care for what He lovingly made. “God has given us the responsibility to care for creation (Genesis 2:15),” says Hannah, coordinator of the Green Church Project. “But how can you know where to go if you don’t know where you are?” she adds, pointing to the importance of having a starting point for evaluation and growth.
The quiz is short and practical, with yes-or-no questions grouped into four essential areas of church life:
Worship of the Creator
Teaching
Community Life
Relationship with Nature
Hannah Wilkinson, Green Church Coordinator (July, 2025)
Beyond measuring, the goal is to inspire. “The idea is not for people to feel judged, but encouraged. That they can see what they’re already doing well, and choose one area to improve or change,” Hannah explains. Because even the smallest steps can make a difference on the journey toward a greener church.
Though it’s primarily aimed at leaders, the quiz is open to the whole community. “Caring for God’s creation is the responsibility of the whole church, not just our leaders,” Hannah affirms with conviction.
Those who complete the quiz can opt to receive free materials, including a guide for incorporating creation care into worship, an introduction to the theology of environmental stewardship, and personalized support tailored to the church’s needs. “The church decides how much or how little contact they want to have with us,” Hannah emphasizes, promoting a respectful and flexible relationship.
Although this quiz was just recently launched, we have already witnessed the deep impact that creation care initiatives can have when sown with intention. Last year, through the Kawsay mini-project in Ayacucho, we saw the rise of a vibrant and committed movement of creation stewards. Today, that same spirit continues: members of Cristo Rey Church in Huanta, who were part of that experience, have chosen to replicate the project internally this year. It’s proof that a well-planted seed can bear lasting fruit — transforming not just practices, but hearts.
The dream is clear: to build a nationwide network of green churches — connected, committed, and ready to walk together in this ecological journey. “When things feel overwhelming, we need to support each other. We walk together, for the glory of God,” concludes Hannah.
In La Libertad, in northern Peru, one of the country’s most threatened and least understood ecosystems survives: the dry forest. Though it may seem barren at first glance, this landscape holds immense natural and cultural wealth. Among emblematic trees like algarrobo, faique, and sapote, unique species—many of them endangered—depend on this environment to survive. However, the forest faces a constant threat: illegal logging, unsustainable firewood extraction, wildfires, and the progressive loss of vegetation cover have put its ecological balance at risk. This degradation not only harms biodiversity but also impacts the local communities who rely on the forest for water, shade, food, medicine, and a deep sense of identity.
Virgilio and Víctor, the new guardians of the dry forest (May, 2025)
In response to this reality, A Rocha Peru has taken action with a deeply community-based vision. Since April, we have formalized the creation of a Local Park Rangers team, an initiative that seeks to generate solutions from within the territory, led by those who know and love it.
Through targeted training, patrol protocols, and technical support, this team—currently led by Virgilio and Víctor—conducts regular patrols through the forest. Between May and June alone, they carried out over 35 patrols. Their presence helps prevent logging, detect threats, and raise awareness among other members of the community.
But beyond surveillance, what’s being cultivated is a renewed sense of belonging and collective responsibility. As they walk through the forest, these rangers aren’t just protecting trees—they are safeguarding the memory of an ecosystem that has endured droughts, neglect, and abandonment.
At a time when ecosystems are disappearing in silence, initiatives like this speak out. Because when the care of creation starts from within, with empowered local actors, conservation is not only possible—it is sustainable and transformative.
The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took place in October 2024 in Cali, Colombia. This event marked a pivotal moment in global efforts to protect biodiversity, as ecosystems are collapsing and species are disappearing at an alarming rate. A Rocha actively participated in COP16, bringing a unique Christian perspective to the global conservation conversation. Representatives from A Rocha International, A Rocha Ghana, A Rocha India, and A Rocha Peru were present to influence policy, build partnerships, and advocate for the protection of creation.
One highlight of A Rocha’s involvement was the event titled “Green Muscle Memory: Addressing Global Challenges.” This session shared inspiring stories of transformative environmental education from A Rocha’s global projects and demonstrated how experiential learning fosters long-term environmental stewardship in communities around the world. The recording can be viewed here, starting at 6:47:00.
A Rocha Peru also contributed to COP16 by participating in the inauguration of the Peru Pavilion. Sarah French, ARI’s Director of Environmental Education and Conservation Policy, along with Maria Los Angeles La Torre Cuadros, A Rocha Peru’s Chair of the Board of Directors, highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts in environmental education and conservation.
A Rocha’s Christian perspective was essential, reminding everyone of our moral responsibility to care for God’s creation. As COP16 progressed, we remained hopeful for meaningful agreements that would protect biodiversity for future generations, and we continue to pray for effective solutions for environmental conservation.
The Creation Care course wrapped up with great enthusiasm on Sunday, November 10, at the Cristo Rey Presbyterian Church in Huanta, Ayacucho. The event marked the end of a transformative learning journey where young members of the congregation dedicated themselves to the care of creation and environmental stewardship. Throughout the course, these young volunteers led impactful initiatives, including a river cleanup along the Chaquihuaycco River, demonstrating their commitment to protecting the natural resources in their community.
The closing ceremony was a joyful occasion, with the entire congregation coming together to celebrate the achievements of the course participants. It was a moment to recognize the hard work, passion, and dedication of the 14 young volunteers who completed the program. During the ceremony, each of them was awarded a certificate, honoring their contributions to environmental conservation and their active participation in the church’s ecological initiatives.
Ramón Casana, Executive Director of A Rocha Perú, and Grazia Rabasa, Communications Assistant, attended the event and delivered inspiring words to the participants. They expressed their gratitude and admiration for the volunteers’ commitment and encouraged the congregation to continue being a model of environmental leadership in the region. A Rocha Perú, known for its work in environmental education and conservation, has supported the course from the beginning, reinforcing the importance of environmental responsibility within faith communities.
The ceremony concluded with heartfelt words of gratitude and a joint prayer, bringing together the congregation in a moment of unity and reflection. The Creation Care course has not only raised awareness about environmental issues but has also instilled a sense of hope for a more sustainable future. It serves as a reminder of the power of local communities to make a difference in the world, one small action at a time.
A Rocha Peru has harnessed the power of photography to engage the public and raise awareness about the La Libertad Dry Forest Project, which seeks to conserve this unique ecosystem in northern Peru. Over the past two years, we have successfully organized several photo exhibitions in Pacasmayo. In 2022, A Rocha Peru held three exhibitions at local schools, reaching 1,105 participants. In 2023, the initiative expanded to four venues, engaging 111 individuals and targeting academic and cultural audiences to promote conservation awareness.
UTEC students enjoying A Rocha Peru’s photo exhibition (G. Rabasa, Nov 2024)
In 2024, A Rocha Peru is broadening its national reach with exhibitions in Lima at two key universities—Universidad Científica del Sur (UCSUR) and Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología (UTEC)—with which we have established strong collaborations. The exhibition, inaugurated on November 18th at UTEC, was a resounding success, with attendees expressing a keen interest in conservation.
The exhibition features a carefully curated selection of around 20 striking photographs that capture the biodiversity, environmental challenges, and the role of local communities in the La Libertad region. Taken by South African photographer Xavier Saer and other conservationists, these images showcase A Rocha Peru’s ongoing efforts, inspire student participation, and raise awareness about the urgent need to combat deforestation. The exhibition also highlights A Rocha Peru’s smaller initiatives, such as the Amazon Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation Project and the Iglesia Verde Project.
We extend our gratitude to UTEC and UCSUR for their invaluable collaboration in bringing this exhibition to life. By using photography as a tool for education and advocacy, A Rocha Peru aims to inspire greater engagement in conservation efforts and help secure the future of the La Libertad Dry Forest for generations to come.
A Rocha Peru organized handicraft workshops for the local women’s artisan group in Pacasmayo. The workshops focused on using renewable materials, promoting environmental awareness, and providing alternative sources of income. By linking traditional crafts to the health of the forest, these workshops encourage environmental stewardship and highlight the importance of sustainable resource management.
In August, the team organized two workshops for the Artisan Group. The first workshop introduced participants to the art of embroidering jute, a natural fiber, using designs inspired by the Moche culture. The Moche culture is an ancient civilization from northern Peru renowned for its intricate art and iconography. Seven participants took part in this training, led by jute embroidery specialist. The session included an additional hands-on experience in Magdalena de Cao, located in the province of Ascope, to further enhance their skills.
Jute embroidery, August 2024
A second workshop focused on the recycling, reuse, and proper disposal of plastic bags. This session was led by an expert in plastic reuse, and was attended by 12 participants. The training emphasized practical ways to reduce plastic waste and creatively repurpose materials, reinforcing the community’s commitment to sustainability. In September, a follow-up session took place in Magdalena de Cao. Participants completed their jute embroidery projects featuring designs inspired by Moche culture. The craftswomen also visited a museum in Magdalena de Cao. Here the women took part in an event that focused on crafts and culture. Afterwards, they received a guided tour of the museum’s exhibits, gaining further insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
These efforts are part of a broader initiative to create environmentally conscious community leaders who understand the value of conserving natural resources. By empowering the women of Pacasmayo with these skills, A Rocha Peru aims to foster greater economic resilience and promote the conservation of forest resources.
A Rocha was at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15) in Montreal from 7-19 December 2022. Maria de los Angeles La Torre Cuadros represented A Rocha Peru as part of the A Rocha delegation to the conference. Maria de los Angeles is A Rocha Peru’s Board Chair and Director of Science and Conservation, and below is her reflection on attending the UN Biodiversity Conference.
“This meeting was a space to raise awareness of the situation of biological diversity, to see that the problems are a shared responsibility, to raise awareness of them … and investigate solutions among the various actors, to negotiate common actions, and to make progress in reducing the progressive loss of biodiversity. Commitments involve the whole of society from the financial sector, and business, to governments, ngos, and civil society. Reaching agreements of financing including the extent to which rich nations support developing countries to finance biodiversity conservation. The participation of indigenous people and local communities is especially important in decision making process relating to nature and the recognition of their land rights…I believe that commitments to reduction, for example, carbon emissions, pesticide use, land use change or the destructive industry itself should not only imply financial support to developing countries but also a responsibility of those who also finance them.
María de los Ángeles La Torre Cuadros at COP15 conference
I believe that a recognition of these responsibilities should be explicit and also more ambitious for their own countries. The political vision of the government of the day should not influence the agreements ….it is important not only to bring proposal but also to disseminate them in order to be visible and these four alliances that can put pressure on those who negotiate with governments. I believe that we need to listen more to those who are guardians of biodiversity, work more on raising awareness among those who finance and the various actors. If we want to bet on green infrastructure, sustainable production also implies investment in education and technology transfer for example reducing the gaps between countries in the north and south…., it was an important experience as an academic and as an actor seeking conservation to see how important it is to make visible the wellbeing done in conservation, the need for others to know about it, that you must make visible with multiple strategies what you are doing in such a way that it raises awareness of support of those who make decisions on the whole of government”.
