March 2010 Work Update

Land for Life

Circular No. 1 March 2010

 Soy bean field, on what was transition forest between the Chaco and the foothills of the Andes (San Martin – Salta)

The Chaco– still covered by dense forest. (Rivadavia  – Salta)

St Albans meeting

Before returning to Argentina we held a meeting in St Albans at which we presented the general vision and initial work plans for Land for Life. We were pleased to have Tony Knight with us, who also shared his valuable experiences on purchasing land for conservation in Kenya. The audience (over 50 people) included people from several churches as well as folk linked to SAMS/CMS and A Rocha. The event enabled us to gather our thoughts together after a long period of thinking and consultation with many people, as well as receiving questions and recommendations from those attending. We are very grateful to Gabby Parikh for organizing the venue as well as food and drink.

Another positive outcome of the event was the fact that key supporters from different churches were able to meet and briefly get to know each other.  In this regard we are keen that Land for Life plays a catalytic role in harnessing the different and valuable experiences of different individuals from different churches.

Mailing list

We have created a mailing list of people who wish to receive a regular update on the progress of the Land for Life initiative, including items for prayer. This list is administered by Felicity Hall (hall.felicity@gmail.com), who will be happy to add any others who would like to be included on this list. The newsletter goes out by email and a printed version can be mailed to those who prefer that option.

ASOCIANA and the Diocese

We are engaged in constructive discussions with our Bishop and members of ASOCIANA regarding changes in Andrew’s role and how the Land for Life initiative might relate to the Church’s current work in supporting indigenous peoples with land claims. Andrew will be meeting with the Bishop on March 18th, and will be presenting the project to ASOCIANA on the 9th April, with the aim of discussing this issue.

Charity registration

Land for Life is an initiative that will be carried out by the newly formed PITES Land Trust. The paperwork for registering PITES in Argentina was presented to authorities here in Salta at the end of last year. They have since come back with a list of corrections that we need to make (most of which were due to them sending us the wrong paperwork in the first place!). Andrew has met with the authorities, and will be reworking the documentation together with a solicitor during this week.

Terms of Reference:

Since returning to Argentina, Andrew has met regularly with Marcelo Perez, a Forester, with whom he is developing thoughts for the various studies and tasks required in order to be able to write the strategic plan and business model for the Land for Life initiative. 

Tony Knight visit

Tony arrived in Argentina on the 6^th March. Together with Marcelo and Andrew he visited some key regions in the Chaco in the provinces of Formosa and Salta. This included a visit to the south west of the province of Formosa, an area with a high potential for conservation.

Travelling through dense Palo Santo forest during the trip to Formosa – this hardwood is now under threat 

as a result of Chinese demand for wooden floors.

This visit has allowed Tony to get to know the area, and to begin to understand the threats to the fragile ecology of the region. This first hand information will be of value to him as he seeks to identify potential funding sources for the eventual purchases of lands for conservation.

Marcelo and Andrew discussing conservation issues with Park Ranger in the Reserva Natural Formosa, 

- a small protected area of semi arid Chaco in the Province of Formosa.

Items for prayer

·         Give thanks for advances made in registering the PITES Land Trust and pray that we may soon finalize its registration. 

·         Give thanks for Tony Knight’s visit, for safety in travel.

·         Pray for Andrew and Marcelo as they write the terms of reference for the various studies to be conducted during April and July – in preparation of a strategic plan and business model for PITES.

·         Pray for discussions with ASOCIANA and the Bishops regarding how best to relate the proposed Land for Life initiative with the support the Church gives to indigenous communities with their own claims to land.