2022: The Year of Nature? 

This year the biodiversity crisis will come further to the fore. Andy Atkins, CEO of A Rocha UK explains why, and how we can respond effectively.

100% Eco Dioceses registered and Eco Church reaches further in Wales and North of England
 

A milestone we celebrate at the start of 2022 is the exciting news that all 42 of the Church of England dioceses have now registered for the Eco Diocese scheme. This shows a significant commitment to getting more churches signed up to Eco Church but more importantly, that all dioceses in the Church of England are united in taking collective environmental action. This is also the case for the Church in Wales where all six of its dioceses have already registered for Eco Diocese.

A Rocha UK's convening work in 2022

Our growing Convening programme has many strands and in 2021 a common focus for most was the UN Climate Conference, COP26, which the UK government hosted in November. In 2022 we have much to do to follow up on the results of that massive and complex international event as the outcomes of COP26 will ultimately depend on what happens next.

Targeting 25 key habitats and wildlife species in decline in the UK 

Many species and habitats are threatened like never before by climate change as well as by development and agricultural practices. In response to this, A Rocha UK has worked with its conservation partners and other ecologists, to develop a new tool for education and conservation. Called Target 25, this focuses on 25 species, groups and habitats that are struggling with the effects of climate change, habitat loss and pollution across the UK.

How can I help in 2022? 

Pray. We do value your prayers. Our January - March 2022 prayer diary is now available and downloadable online here. Please share it with your Church family.

Share. It is an exciting time for A Rocha UK as our work expands rapidly - share the good news with your Church and friends on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram 

Volunteer. Our nature reserves, Foxearth Meadows in north Essex and Wolf Fields in west London, are always looking for local volunteers. Activities may include digging out ponds, laying hedges, recording wildlife or conducting environmental education workshops. Many of our 25 Partners in Action across the UK also offer residential internships from 3 months to a year. Please see here for the latest opportunities. 

Give. Become a regular giver today. One of the best ways to support A Rocha UK is to become a regular donor. By making a regular monthly or annual gift, you can help provide much-needed support to all areas of our work. It’s also the easiest way to give – you only have to fill in our standing order form, send it to us and we will do the rest. Regular donors receive our twice yearly Root and Branch magazine.

A Rocha UK Vacancies: 2 x Eco Church Support Officer roles and Editor Root and Branch Magazine

We are looking for two dedicated Eco Church Support Officers - one based in Wales and one based in the North of England. These two roles will help widen the geographical spread of Eco Church and help more churches engage in creation care at greater depth. [closing date: 27 January 2022] 

We also have an exciting new role for a freelance editor. We are looking for an experienced editor for our twice yearly Root and Branch magazine which aims to inform, interest, inspire and involve supporters of A Rocha UK [closing date: 1 February 2022].

There is also a Community Education Officer vacancy based in Southall, west London [closing date: 21 January 2022] 

Update on A Rocha Ghana’s Atewa Forest Campaign

A key outcome at COP26 was the promise, signed up to by more than 130 governments, to end deforestation by 2030. One of the original signatory governments was that of Ghana. Senior staff of our sister organisation, A Rocha Ghana attended the conference as part of the wider A Rocha family delegation. While there, with the support of the A Rocha UK Press Officer, they highlighted their eight-year long campaign to save the pristine Atewa Forest from mining, and have it be declared a National Park. The protection of this area will not only secure local livelihoods which depend on the healthy forest, but it will save it as a carbon sink for greenhouse gasses.

Eco Tip - Make ‘enjoying nature’ your priority in 2022. Whether you’ve already got (or broken) a New Year's resolution… be sure to fall in love with nature in a new way this year. Here’s some ideas to help.

For more practical tips, sign up to Wild Christian here.