April webflash

Mel at the Vancouver Chinese Alliance Church

Wanted - Asia Projects Manager

A Rocha’s work in SE Asia continues to gain momentum, led by Singaporean film-makers Melissa Ong and Dan Tay (see their 10 minute movie Why should Christians care for creation?). A Rocha is now seeking an Asian Projects Manager to be based in the USA, who will raise awareness among Asian Christians of environmental issues. If you have a working knowledge of at least one major Asian language as well as management or events coordination experience, preferably in a charity or voluntary organization, please visit our Jobs page.

Tear Fund/ A Rocha tour a big success

Hope for Planet Earth, a tour of 20 English towns exploring the effects of climate change from a Christian perspective, has just been completed. A Rocha partnered with Tearfund, Share Jesus International and The John Ray Initiative to look at the science behind climate change and the impact it is having on the planet and the world’s poorest people. A Rocha UK National Director, Dave Bookless, said, “The Hope for Planet Earth tour has been inspirational. Not only has it drawn lead agencies together in a close partnership over a common theme; it has united thousands of people in the belief that individuals can make a difference”.

Dipper by Cheryl Cousins

Restoring A Rocha Czech’s Mill

The Czech field study centre in East Bohemia was once a mill and the mill-stream still flows under the building. The team would like to reinstall a microturbine so that they can generate their own electricity and a local university professor has expressed willingness to supervise the procedure, with help from his students. If you have suitable experience that you can share with them, please contact us. From inside the building, A Rocha has constructed (behind glass) a special viewing area over the mill race where the turbine will be reinstated. The White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus can be frequently seen and breeds here most years in a hole in the wall. This spring the female is sitting on 6 eggs. The birds seem remarkably unaffected by human activity and appear safe and secure beside the cascading waters.

Restoring salmon streams and monitoring raptors

A Rocha Canada’s first Conservation Science Report (2002-2006) has just been published. Read about their many and varied research projects in British Columbia and Manitoba by going to the Canada home page and follow the link.

Since 2003 the Canada team and their partners have been working at five sites along the Little Campbell River Watershed to restore and enhance the tributary streams used by spawning Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch, replacing invasive plants with native trees and shrubs, clearing channels and creating pools.