A ROCHA USA INC

A Rocha’s membership program, Love Your Place (LYP), engages Christians in responding to global biodiversity and habitat loss in their local contexts. LYP will provide education, how-to guides, citizen science opportunities, theological and devotional resources, and regional and national events for members.

Eco Church is a certification program (developed by A Rocha UK) that A Rocha USA will launch in 2019. Eco Church allows churches to measure their effectiveness in sustainable practices (both inside and outside their facilities). Resources are provided to help churches progress to a "Gold" certification via property management tools, assessments for energy usage, worship materials & curricula, and ideas for community engagement.

A Rocha USA’s Marine Conservation Program is based in Titusville, a city on the east coast of Central Florida.

The area is home to beautiful beaches, the Kennedy Space Center, the Indian River Lagoon, and a stunning array of local wildlife. Situated at the border of the temperate and subtropical zones, Central Florida’s biodiversity is particularly high—including manatees, alligators, countless fish species, and numerous shorebirds.

In the midst of its beauty and biodiversity, the area faces numerous challenges. The Indian River Lagoon watershed serves as the drainage point for inland rivers and lakes, bringing muck and nutrients into a once clear and productive lagoon. Like all beaches, plastic pollution is an issue. In addition, there is huge pressure for development in the region.

Led by Dr. Robert Sluka, we are establishing a field study center to conduct research and education in the Indian River Lagoon and coastal marine habitats. Our marine team will also facilitate beach cleanups and microplastics research.

Our work will focus on the intrinsic value of Florida’s marine life while recognizing that it also has great benefit to humans. We will also provide opportunities for people to connect with God through the ocean and experience improved health and well-being by spending time in nature and particularly in, on, or around the ocean.

n Nashville, A Rocha is a working to educate and inspire people to care for creation.

As A Rocha takes a local shape here in Music City, part of our work involves building community among songwriters and creating opportunities for them to learn about ecological issues and come together for songwriting retreats. The first volume of “The A Rocha Project” – an album of songs written around the theme of creation care – is in production. Our first hands-on conservation project is also in development. We are working on a Backyard Biodiversity Project which will connect people to the world outside their own back door, and allow them to learn with and work with others to enhance the biodiversity of the urban and suburban places they live.

From beaches to mountain ranges to high and low elevation deserts, Southern California’s geographical diversity produces natural biodiversity that is mirrored in the cultural diversity of the region.

While beautiful, the area faces many challenges. Smog is still an issue. Environmental injustices are common—poorly-regulated factories churn out products and byproducts that harm minority neighborhoods and nearby wild spaces [1].

SoCal A Rocha helps the church respond to these problems. We work with people of all ethnicities and faiths (or no faith at all) from neighborhood groups, schools, churches, camps, and conservation organizations. Through our training opportunities and programs, our hope is to encourage recognition that God loves the world he made and calls us to do the same.

In the heart of the Texas Hill Country sits the 7,000-acre Big Springs Ranch for Children. Home to at-risk and orphaned youth, the renowned “big springs” that birth the Frio River, endangered Black-capped Vireo and Golden-cheeked Warbler, plus one of the largest underground caverns in the state, the ranch is truly a Texas treasure. Both working ranch and haven, Big Springs Ranch has invited A Rocha to help with the conservation and study of this amazing property.

A Rocha recently received approval for two grants to fund work that will target watershed preservation and restoration on Big Springs Ranch. The primary focus will be Ashe Juniper (Juniperus ashei) removal to facilitate increased recharge of the underground aquifer feeding the natural springs and the Frio river, while balancing the natural habitat for native species such as the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) and the Tobusch Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus brevihamatus). The grants are a result of a collaboration with Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Aquifer Group, Big Springs Ranch for Abused Children and A Rocha USA.

The grants will also allow A Rocha staff to begin developing outdoor education programs for the children residing on the ranch.

A Rocha has been deeply involved in Pacific Northwest. Through partnerships with local conservation organizations, agencies, churches, and community groups in Lynden, WA we have engaged people in:

Learning about and caring for our watersheds
Strengthening local food systems and managing community gardens
Protecting habitats and species through research
In Bend, OR we have partnered with the Mountaineers Foundation to provide opportunities for hands-on restoration work with Trout Unlimited and other organizations.

We are currently rebuilding our program in the PNW and (especially if you are in the Seattle or Bellingham area) would love your participation.