INTERNATIONAL REVIEW 2017/18 Annual Review 2017/18 Our heart At the heart of is our work to Taking time out from through the Namibian desert, while Henry Porpora and Ed enable Christians, of all denominations, the 2018 Leaders’ Forum King cycled over 1,050 km from Paris to Nice raising both to care for the earth. Across the world, in to hunt for awareness and £1,135 for our appeal. our conservation projects work with microplastics on a local beach. (Mel Ong) and through communities. We are e year ahead is sure to bring further challenges. e fight involved with churches, universities continues to protect ’s Atewa forest from mining and and bible colleges, and our long-term Portugal’s Alvor Estuary from inappropriate and illegal scientific research provides context for developments. At the same time, many A Rocha teams people to experience the realities of continue to live with the effects of climate change. conservation. As climate scientist Dr Katharine Hayhoe Looking back explained at the 2017 John Stott London Reflecting on the past year, I’m aware Lecture, ‘e problem is not making people of a significant moment when public believe the science; it’s making them care.’ awareness of conservation was And so, successful conservation has to be about heightened. Sir David Attenborough collaboration. It’s why A Rocha teams around the and his team brought vivid images of world continue to build relationships with the marine world into homes thanks to governments, international agencies, churches, the BBC’s Blue Planet II series. Viewers scientists, musicians, schools, colleges and so in a number of countries were able to many others. Please pray for God’s wisdom for experience creation, and connect with these connections so that more people join us in and see images of the raw beauty of Dr Katharine Hayhoe caring for the planet. delivered the 2017 nature, all narrated by a single, trusted John Stott London voice. For A Rocha, this focus on Lecture (Artie Limmer) In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 goals for a creation was further confirmation of better world by 2030. Sustainable Development why we have been performing Goals (SDGS) have the power to end poverty, environmental education and scientific fight inequality and stop climate change. Look monitoring for over 30 years. out for the SDG symbols to see how A Rocha’s work is addressing these goals. For many viewers it was the first opportunity to understand the impact Enjoy reading and thank you for your support. of plastic pollution on the marine environment. A Rocha’s work addressing the problem of microplastics inspired a number of supporters to get involved – some undertaking huge personal challenges in the process. Matt Burke Fundraiser Matt Burke Chris Naylor raised over £1,800 by completing a (Matt Burke) superhuman 250 km ultramarathon Executive Director, A Rocha International (ARI) 2 (Mel Ong) 3 Restoring biodiversity Conservation in the Alpilles region and community

Two species, formerly thought to have disappeared from the ancient Bannerghatta National Park is a thriving Surveys examining agriculturalists’ use of marshes of the Baux Valley in southern , have been rediscovered. centre for ecotourism and conservation. the landscape have given us a clearer A healthy population of Southern Water Voles Arvicola sapidus has been e park’s proximity to the city of understanding of the human-elephant discovered living in the Ilon Marsh. e last evidence of its presence Bangalore provides an opportunity for conflict and have given us ideas for here was in 2010. Protected in France since 2012, the Southern Water raising conservation awareness and creative ways, such as bee-hive fences, Vole is classed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of threatened species attracting volunteers for conservation. that could help solve these issues.’ and it occurs nowhere else in the world outside of France and the Iberian Peninsula. For A Rocha , this has involved In alerting members of the corporate, Southern Water Vole (David Pérez} running ecology camps for local schools, educational and professional communities A prolonged period of heavy spring rains organizing public talks in the city and to the plight of Bannerghatta’s wildlife, led to an even more astonishing discovery, training 30 new forest guards. ey have A Rocha India has been central in when a group of A Rocha France volunteers also conducted major research into building a community that places far photographed a female Western Spadefoot mammal populations (especially tigers) in greater importance on conserving the Toad Pelobates cultripes. It is listed as the park using camera traps, resulting in habitats that Vulnerable on France’s Red List of the publication of both a scientific paper wildlife requires. threatened species and exists only in a and an important book describing the handful of locations in the region. mammals of Bannerghatta. Avinash Peter Harris, President Krishnan, Research Officer for A Rocha and Co-founder of A Rocha pictured e main threats to both populations are India says, ‘We were delighted to find so with the newly the degradation of their habitats and the many large mammal species thriving in the published Mammals of Bannerghatta accidental introduction of non-native park, despite being so close to the big city. National Park (Mel Ong) predators. is wonderful discovery in the Baux Valley has encouraged the team Avinash Krishnan (centre) with of A Rocha France in their work to restore A Rocha India colleagues at the biodiversity of the Alpilles region. Bannerghatta National Park (Jeremy Lindsell )

Western Spadefoot Toad ( omas Alterr)

Ilon Marsh Camera trap image of Tiger 4 Panthera tigris (A Rocha India) 5 Bringing hope through creation care

A Rocha has been a member of the Lausanne Movement for many years. Dave Bookless, Pacific. Delegates were encouraged Director of eology for A Rocha International, says, ‘rough the regional creation care and deeply challenged by the voices of conferences, it’s been wonderful to see the Lausanne creation care initiative building into indigenous and Aboriginal Christians. a truly global movement with over 100 countries actively engaged. It’s been particularly Aso Loapo, a Congregationalist Minister, Growing Eco Church exciting to see non-western Christian voices talking about creation care from their own from the island nation of Tuvalu said, A Rocha UK’s Eco Church continues to cultural contexts.’ ‘Our cry is from those who belong to go from strength to strength. With over the land and oceans. We cannot simply a thousand churches now registered, e European conference drew 80 Christians I spoke to in Cape Town. Many get up and move as we have strong nearly 300 of which have already achieved delegates to A Rocha’s centre at had been deeply challenged about their links to our motherland. We must be awards, the programme helps Christians Les Courmettes, where participants attitudes to water, and were determined responsible Christians in taking care across the UK care for creation as an were challenged on lifestyle choices and that they would never go back to previous of God’s creation. We need mature integral part of their faith. Following encouraged to keep the Sabbath: even wasteful habits. cooperation with the western interest from other countries, preparations activists need to remember to pause, churches, to advocate on our behalf.’ are underway to pilot Eco Church recharge and re-centre in Christ. Importantly, it was an opportunity for internationally. A Rocha UK is working in Christians from around the world to partnership with A Rocha International Dave adds, ‘e embodiment of the demonstrate our faith in God as Creator and other national organizations values under discussion, within the and Sustainer of all living things, and as to develop ways of customizing the context of A Rocha France and the beauty the source of the living water that never programme for different languages and of the surrounding nature, gave the runs dry.’ cultures. For more information, contact week a wonderfully holistic connection [email protected] between thinking and doing.’ e Oceania Conference on Creation Care and the Gospel sought to catalyze a e Cape Town conference coincided movement of Christians who will develop Pacific Islanders and Aboriginal Australians enjoying the Oceania Lausanne Creation Care conference (A Rocha with the city’s worst-ever water and strengthen creation care partnerships International) crisis. Dave concludes, ‘I was greatly and initiatives throughout the South encouraged by the response of the many

Delegates attending Lausanne’s European conference (A Rocha International)

6 7 Viscous Globe istle Echinops viscosus Creation Care in (A Rocha ) the Middle East

Working with the local municipalities of Mekse and Qab Elias, A Rocha Lebanon is bringing much needed green space for people and wildlife to the growing conurbation swallowing up Bekaa Valley farmland. By planting a mixture of indigenous and fruiting trees and shrubs, with laid out paths, streams and ponds, a fly-tipped waste land is turning into a haven for butterflies and birds and an opportunity for school children to learn about their environment right on their doorstep. Once the plantings are mature, the larger plot in Mekse will provide a unique, urban, green space for Small Pearl-bordered the local community, planted for them to enjoy and remember their place in God’s creation. Fritillary Boloria selene (Embert Messelink) Making meadows flourish again

A Rocha has recorded the first sightings of the rare Small Pearl-bordered Planting trees and Fritillary butterfly in the beautiful forest shrubs at Mekse Encouraging (Martin Bernhard ) each other meadow De Slenk in Lettele. e appearance of these three ‘Silver Moon’ Environmental Education Officers from butterflies is a wonderful sign of hope for the A Rocha’s African organizations in Ghana, team involved in the conservation management , , South Africa and of this site, assisting the Royal Dutch Natural came together at Mwamba, A Rocha History Society. Kenya’s field study centre, for a week- long conference on Environmental After A Rocha’s tending and restoring of the Education. A Rocha International’s meadows, the area is flourishing today with a Hope for the fledglings Environmental Education Coordinator large variety of plants, insects, mammals and Angela McKay explains, ‘It was useful to mushrooms. Over five years of seabird monitoring on Mt Karioi, no Grey-faced Petrel or Oi / network and understand developments Pterodroma gouldi has successfully fledged, due to introduced predators like in each organization. We covered stoats, feral cats and rats - until this year! subjects such as plastic pollution,

recycling, and the Sustainable Once hatched, the hungry chick is left alone in its burrow for up Development Goals, as well as to two weeks at a time while the parents head out to sea to find discovering more about the work crustaceans and fish before returning to the burrow to bring back to undertaken by A Rocha organizations their young, leaving them vulnerable to hunting predators. and exploring A Rocha International’s Microplastics Toolbox. A team from A Rocha Aotearoa monitors burrows for breeding activity and maintains a network of predator traps around We saw an injured turtle at Watamu the breeding burrows to protect the chicks. Turtle Watch and heard more about the problems caused by plastic litter Project Manager and Co-Director Kristel van Houte says, ‘Imagine in the oceans. We also observed a our delight when we discovered seven chicks had successfully demonstration of how to make a sack fledged for the first time since predator control was implemented.’ garden; a great way to grow vegetables

when you don’t have lots of space.’ Grey-faced Petrel or Oi (A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand) 8 Learning how to make a sack garden (A Rocha International) 9 Atewa Forest Campaign grows to protect forest reserve Atewa Community Walk for Water Over 100 species of birds, mammals, amphibians and plants thriving in Atewa are globally threatened or near threatened with extinction; a number are ‘Community members walked found nowhere else on earth. Yet the government of Ghana has expressed the 95 km from Atewa forest to Accra intention to sacrifice the forest for bauxite mining. to protest that their clean water sources would be polluted should bauxite mining begin. Over six days, they carried water from the Ayensu, Birim and Densu rivers that take their source from the Atewa forest Dr Jeremy Lindsell, Director of Science and Walking for Water (A Rocha Ghana) and supply water to 5 million people Conservation at A Rocha International, including the capital, Accra. explains, ‘Atewa Forest is without doubt amongst the most important sites within Arriving on World Water Day, the Ghana that remain unprotected. Mining walkers had several stops to will destroy all vegetation and associated present petitions to key traditional fauna. Re-establishment of the original chiefs, District and Municipal Chief flora and fauna on areas that have once Executives and key opinion leaders, been mined will be virtually impossible, with the final petition going to the especially with these highly complex and President. e walk attracted huge biologically rich forests.’ Leading experts back Atewa campaign media attention, giving massive visibility to the Atewa campaign.’ World-renowned biologist and environmentalist If you haven’t yet done so, please can you E.O. Wilson has written to the President of Ghana Seth Appiah-Kubi, sign our petition to save Atewa Forest, in to highlight the unique biological value of the forest National Director of A Rocha Ghana English, French, Spanish or Portuguese. and the destruction that mining would cause.

Professor Wilson reminds His Excellency President Leaché) Adam ( (A Rocha Ghana) (A Rocha A group of renowned Ghanaian musicians Akufo-Addo about Ghana’s commitments to have released a song ‘Atewa till Eternity’ to international agreements on biodiversity and support the campaign to save the forest sustainable development, and refers to the public reserve. e collective travelled to the support for a National Park at Atewa. Several Netherlands together with A Rocha Ghana international conservation organizations - including to mobilize the Ghanaian community there Amphibian Survival Alliance, Birdlife International, to support the Atewa forest campaign. Global Wildlife Conservation, Rainforest Trust, the You can listen to the song here: RSPB and WWF, together with A Rocha - have also written to the President of Ghana urging aroc.me/atewa-till-eternity Sheila Smith) ( him to protect Atewa. Lindsell) (Jeremy Atewa provides a habitat for at least two species Atewa Forest (Jeremy Lindsell) classified by the IUCN with their highest level of extinction threat (Critically Endangered): the Togo Slippery Frog Conraua derooi (above), and the plant Aubregrinia taiensis. ree more species are expected to be classified as Critically Endangered once assessed: the White-naped Mangabey Cercocebus lunulatus (left), the Afia Birago Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus afiabirago (above left), and the shrub Monanthotaxis atewensis. 10 11 Mapping birds, encouraging bees Mapping one of the world’s oldest Marine Protected Areas Waders in Kenya (Ben Porter) e Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii was recently mapped in the Dakatcha Woodlands inland of Malindi, marking the first recorded sighting of the coastal race of this African warbler for 40 years. A Kenyan endemic Hinde’s Babbler Turdoides hindei Sweeper fish Pempheris sp was recorded in Nairobi suburbs, more than 50 km away from its previously A Rocha Kenya has completed a four-year Dr Robert Sluka, Lead Scientist for known distribution. In addition to this, a study to collate all available historical A Rocha’s Marine and Coastal Conservation Blue-spotted Wood-dove Turtur afer in information and establish the current Programme, says: ‘e data show that Mau-Narok on the western edge of the Rift status of the biodiversity and habitats that there are 13 species classified as threatened Valley is the most easterly record of the exist within Watamu Marine National according to the IUCN Red List, as well as species in Kenya. Park. Although protected for 50 years, five that are Near reatened. Six of these there has never been a comprehensive species are elasmobranchs (sharks, rays ese sightings have been recorded for inventory of species, nor documentation and guitarfish), six are bony fish (Teleosts), the Kenya Bird Map (KBM), a major of the range of habitats found plus four sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea), conservation project from A Rocha Kenya, within its boundaries. one seagrass and one coral species. We also the National Museums of Kenya, Tropical found a species of sweeper fish that experts Biology Association, Nature Kenya and the suspect is new to science. Animal Demography Unit of the University of Cape Town. e project enables We have produced the first habitat map scientists and conservationists to better of any Kenyan Marine Protected Area. understand changes in biodiversity and We found that there are nine habitat types identify the key threats. within the park, with seagrass as the Learning about pollinators most dominant and coral reef as the least

With over 1,100 species, Kenya widespread. is emphasizes the Nashville A Rocha inspires local communities has amongst the richest bird importance of non-coral habitats and the to create habitats through Pollinator Garden Parties diversity in Africa. Beyond need for more research into the ecology in the spring and autumn. e gatherings are usually Eagle Ray Aetobatus narinari (Gary Ong) simply describing bird species and conservation importance of these held in private homes with hosts inviting friends and distribution, the findings Blacktip Reef Shark Carcharhinus melanopterus habitats.’ neighbours. Nashville A Rocha and a volunteer gardener (Kydd Pollock Marine Photobank) published in KBM will help lead the conversation about helping pollinators. Participants detect any decline in species, are invited to purchase a garden kit consisting of locally- as well as the effects of grown, reasonably-priced native flowering plants, with changing climate or human instructions on how to plant their gardens at home. ey land use, helping direct learn why and how to give pollinators the food and future avian research and habitat they need by planting a pollinator garden, as conservation. well as other tips for sustainable gardening.

Blue-spotted Stingray Taeniura lymma (Bob Sluka) 12 13 Environmental Partners in Peru Peru’s dry forests, one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world, are stewardship in crucial in protecting endangered species and combating desertification and Winnipeg and natural disasters such as floods and drought. A unique collaboration has given fresh hope that these precious dry forests can be restored. A Rocha Peru and energy company ContourGlobal have beyond been working together over the last four years to restore this habitat and promote social development in and around ContourGlobal’s wind farm at Talara in northern Peru. Near East Braintree, at the edge of a boreal forest, is an environmental retreat centre e resulting project was designed and implemented by A Rocha Peru, and living lab set in 90 hectares of forests, together with eight neighbourhood councils adjacent to the wind farm, meadow and river valley. ‘is is an along with support from ContourGlobal and Conservamos por la Naturaleza. emerging project designed to inspire people ese restoration efforts have led to native birds (such as the endangered to care for places in our province,’ says Scott Peruvian Plantcutter Phytotoma raimondii) nesting once again, and have Gerbrandt, Manitoba A Rocha Director. prompted native plants to flourish.

Since the partnership began in 2014, 12 hectares of dry forest have been is unique combination of sensitive, yet reforested on ContourGlobal’s wind farm site. Local people, such as Zulema accessible, wildlife habitat offers a way of (pictured below), are now committed to restoring dry forests. connecting people to place. Here students, interns, guests and volunteers from Camille Allan, Executive Director of A Rocha around the world come to be immersed Peru, says, ‘e partnership has given community members the opportunity to learn the importance in compassionate Christian engagement A series of videos with creation. entitled ‘Harvesting Hope’ has of dry forest restoration, and many of them have been produced by Conservamos become local environmental leaders.’ por Naturaleza telling the story ‘We are also establishing a strong presence of the partnership project. See in Winnipeg to create both community aroc.me/harvesting-hope and a sense of hope in our care of creation by arranging hikes, bird watching, camps and café-style gatherings. Our work here will focus on conservation science, environmental education and sustainable agriculture. By combining practical action and education, we are bringing hope through Christian stewardship of both people and places.’

Tamarack Cones Larix laricina (A Rocha Canada) Peruvian Plantcutter (A Rocha Peru) 14 15 Our projects help us meet at least 12 equip 30 coastal cleanups and resource A Rocha’s global income of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Kenyan teachers to teach their students Development Goals and with your about local environmental issues. continued support we could do even more. You have also supported A Rocha projects anks to the generosity of many Although income rose globally, this e chart overleaf shows income sources through Gifts with a Difference, our individuals, churches and trusts, increase is not reflected in every A Rocha and highlights the importance of online catalogue of alternative gifts, A Rocha’s global income rose by 14% to organization. France, , UK individual donors. e total income for bringing positive impacts to people and just over £5.2 m in 2017. is essential and Climate Stewards have seen income A Rocha International was 3% lower than nature. Coventry Vineyard Church in the support enabled us to increase the scope grow significantly, in contrast to Peru, in 2016. e number of smaller, regular UK raised enough funds to purchase 63 of our scientific research, environmental USA, Ghana and A Rocha International donations from across the globe has bio-sand filters, offering nearly 1,200 education, theological teaching and where it has reduced. With added funding increased during the year but these have people access to clean, safe drinking community based conservation across A Rocha International would be able to not matched the larger, one-off donations water, reducing the need for charcoal the globe. In this way, we have been able increase our support to other A Rocha that were received in previous years. fires meaning fewer trees are cut down to make progress restoring habitats and organizations, prioritising where it is and habitats are protected. ‘Bio-sand protecting species, reducing poverty, needed most. e income from trusts and foundations filters are such a significant way to bless empowering women, and improving has increased from 14% to 19% of ARI’s a whole family – and a community,’ says community health. income due to two substantial donations Vicki Sutton, Senior Pastor. ‘We’re really to fund core costs from US foundations not a massive church USA 3.4% Climate Stewards 1.5% and continued funding from the A.G. with huge resources, Leventis Foundation for the conservation but Gifts with a of the Atewa forest in Ghana. Difference enabled us to genuinely make rough appeals to tackle marine plastics a difference.’ ARI 19.6% and fund environmental education UK 15.0% activities, you have helped us develop a Find your perfect Australia 0.1% Microplastics Toolbox, encourage and Christmas gift at shop.arocha.org 0.6% Uganda 1.4%

Switzerland 3.4% South Africa 0.3% ‘Women from the Sosoni Farmers’ Peru 2.8% Group in Dakatcha Woodland, Kenya have been practicing Farming God’s Portugal 1.4% Canada 23.0% Way for three years, but already an Nigeria 0.6% New average harvest brings in more than Netherlands 0.7% Zealand twice the income they received with 3.9% conventional farming methods. Mulching Lebanon 0.5% Ghana 10.6% helps to retain moisture, so they need Kenya 2.6% to water much less frequently - only India 0.3% three times per week. It also reduces France 7.3% weeds and increased the soil’s fertility.’ (Sarah Young) Czech 1.2%

e pie chart shows the undesignated income for A Rocha International (ARI) and the total income for the National Organizations. Guitarfish Rhinobatos rhinobato (Bob Sluka) 16 17 Expenditure, income and fundraising

Almost 73% of ARI’s expenditure relates to staff employment costs. As the income Jacobus van der Linden for ARI for 2017 has reduced, staff who 18-year-old A Rocha South Africa have retired have not been replaced supporter Jacobus van der Linden’s 977 km and their workload has been shared walk, from the Namibian border to the Cape among existing staff. of Good Hope, inspired others to participate in

Rachel Salmon God’s care for His creation. Jacobus’s blog, which Over two-thirds of ARI’s expenditure is August saw Rachel participate included a diary and observations on a range of was spent on supporting A Rocha in the Reykjavik half marathon to topics, such as shorebirds, pollution, kelp forests National Organizations, advocacy and raise money for A Rocha Kenya’s and devotions, received more than 16,000 page views. representing A Rocha globally at conservation programs. Despite being scientific and theological conferences. a reluctant runner, Rachel trained for During the trek, Jacobus recorded the locations of the African and completed the race – and raised Black Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini (2018 South over £700 in the process. ank you, Africa Bird of the Year) which he then shared with Birdlife SA. Rachel, and big congratulations on e data will contribute to the South Africa Bird Atlas. completing it! African Black Oystercatcher Anna Fàbry Haematopus moquini Anna is an artist in Prague, (A Rocha South Africa) who has been using her talents to raise money to support the work of A Rocha Czech. Selling her beautiful work in the form of postcards, prints and stickers at a Christian fair in September, she raised a wonderful 2200 koruna (about £78) for A Rocha Czech. ank you for your contribution, Anna!

representing A Rocha 10% Organizations 59% Fundraising 11% Communications 11% Governance 4% Administration 5% Advocacy and Churches 9% Individuals 49% Trusts 19% Investments 15% Other 8% Supporting A Rocha

A ROCHA INTERNATIONAL’S INCOME A ROCHA INTERNATIONAL’S EXPENDITURE 18 19

0 20 40 60 80 100

0 20 40 60 80 100 Our AMAZING teams...

Interns 80 2017 Volunteers 653 the A Rocha year in Staff 125 (FTE) numbers

...have done AMAZING work in 2017

SPECIES CONSERVATION ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 135 97 865 26,777 Number of species Number of species Number of activities Number of we help that are on IUCN’s Red list (eg. assemblies, camps, participants threatened or helped by our work school group visits) at risk nationally

HABITAT PROTECTION THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION 175,747 1,149,762 450 37,953 Number of hectares Number of hectares of Number of speaking Number of participants where we advise, have other land area benefitting engagements at management control or from our research and churches and responsibility conservation conferences activities Editor: Sarah Cosgrove Editor: A Rocha International 89 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2BF. Tel: +44 (0) 300 770 1346 E-mail: [email protected] Registered Charity No. 1136041 Company Registration No. 6852417

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A Rocha International is a member of IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Front cover photo: Dakatcha Woodlands is one of the most important sites for wildlife conservation in Kenya 20 and is home to the globally endangered Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae. A Rocha Kenya is working with farmers from villages neighbouring the forest, equipping them to generate income by using local, natural resources without esigned & produced by: indigo 01892 610711 by: esigned & produced

over-exploiting this vital habitat. (Sarah Young) D