In the heart of Lebanon’s northern Bekaa, where natural landscapes are closely intertwined with local livelihoods, the Union of Deir El Ahmar Municipalities hosted an advanced awareness and experience-sharing session on combating illegal hunting. The session was organized by the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) and marked another step toward reinforcing community-based protection of biodiversity through direct cooperation between hunters, municipal police, and environmental organizations. Bringing together members of the municipal police and more than 15 local hunters, the session went beyond a traditional lecture format. It created an open space for dialogue on responsible hunting practices, legal frameworks, and the crucial role of municipal police in enforcing regulations while safeguarding both nature and the ethical practice of hunting.

In a digital space driven by speed, trends, and fleeting attention, it takes something special to pause the scroll. On TikTok, where stories are often compressed into seconds, TinyTales25 has carved out a distinctive voice, one that proves that short stories can still carry deep meaning. @tinytales.25 Hima - Ancient Arabian Sustainable Land Management Discover the ancient practice of "Hima," a remarkable system of sustainable land management that has its roots in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. This video explores how tribes of Arabia developed a unique approach to environmental stewardship, emphasizing preservation and community well-being long before modern conservation movements emerged.

Reading the Past through 1960s Topographic Maps and Rediscovering Traditional Conservation Landscapes By Bilal Alaouiyeh, Remote Sensing and GIS Expert, Specialist in Spatial Environmental Governance and Biodiversity Mapping. By revisiting a set of official topographic maps drawn more than six decades ago, a quiet truth reemerges from Lebanon’s landscape. Long before modern conservation jargon, before GIS layers and biodiversity indicators, communities across the country practiced an organized, place-based system of environmental stewardship known as Hima. Far from being an abstract tradition or a romanticized memory, Hima is etched into Lebanon’s spatial record itself.

As part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal hunting and protect biodiversity in Lebanon, and based on complaints submitted by sustainable hunters and environmental activists, the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU), with support from its Investigation and Follow-up Division and the Electronic Tracking Team, pursued a number of documented violations across the country. Following verification of the facts, complete violation files were prepared and submitted to the Operations Room of the Gendarmerie Command, which in turn mobilized the relevant units to apprehend offenders and take legal action in accordance with the nature of each violation.

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), held a presentation on December 19, 2025, at its Luc Hoffmann Hima Home in Kayfoun to share the outcomes of the 2025 activities and outline the plan for 2026 under the project “Beirut River Valley: Towards Establishing Lebanon’s First Natural Park.” This end-of-year event brought together key project staff, donors, technical partners, and community representatives to reflect on the progress made and to discuss upcoming actions aimed at conserving the…

This iconic species is among 42 migratory species of wild animals that countries will consider as needing international conservation at the UN wildlife conservation meeting in March 2026 Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) have submitted proposals to add 42 new migratory species to the Convention’s appendices as needing international conservation. Due to its increasing population, one species – the Bukhara deer – is proposed to be removed from the list requiring the highest protection. An environmental treaty of the United Nations, CMS convenes governments and stakeholders to address the conservation of migratory species and their habitats.

By the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon Context The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals, with fewer than 600 individuals currently surviving.[1] The species is described as ”critically endangered” by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The Mediterranean Monk Seal was formerly found all over the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and northwest African coast. Whereas the former distribution was continuous throughout its range, the present distribution is discontinuous, with probably little exchange between the separated populations (Johnson et al., 2006)

On a crisp morning in the village of Btater, footsteps echoed along the Safa Trail as it stretched toward the village of Ghboun, marking more than a sporting event. The environmental and sports activity, joined by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), was a living reminder of how nature, heritage, and community can converge along Lebanon’s historic pathways. Far from being a simple hike or race, the event formed part of a broader vision to revive traditional trails that once served as vital arteries between villages.

Biosphere reserves are often celebrated as success stories of modern conservation, spaces where nature protection, sustainable development, and community participation coexist. But a peer-reviewed study published in Sustainability challenges this narrative in the Lebanese context, revealing deep gaps between conservation ideals and on-the-ground realities. The study, “Biosphere Reserves in Lebanon: Rifts between Conservation Discourse and Practice,” authored by Sarah Karam, Giuliano Martiniello, Ali Chalak, Mounir Abi-Said, and Shadi Kamal Hamadeh, examines how one of Lebanon’s flagship biosphere reserves has reshaped rural life, often without the consent or participation of the people most affected.

The Homat Al Hima International Center (HHIC) organized a full educational awareness day across the West Bekaa zone, engaging students from three Hima-designated schools located in different villages: Sainte Famille Saghbine, Kherbet Qanafar Public School, and Kefraya Public School. The day included two SNOW (School With No Walls) environmental sessions and one Sustainable Hunting & Anti-Poaching training delivered under SPNL’s conservation programs. This initiative comes as part of HHIC’s continuous efforts to strengthen environmental awareness among youth in the Litani River basin and empower students to become active guardians of nature in their communities.

In an era of accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, and mounting pressure on natural resources, the need for cross-border cooperation and shared environmental learning has never been greater. Against this backdrop, Lebanon is taking meaningful steps to strengthen its engagement within the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, positioning itself not only as a beneficiary of global environmental frameworks but also as an active contributor to international knowledge exchange. At the heart of this growing engagement stands Assad Serhal, Director General of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), whose leadership continues to bridge local conservation traditions with global environmental governance.

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) welcomed a senior delegation from UNESCO at the Luc Hoffmann Center in Kayfoun. The visiting experts, Dr Nizar Hassan and Dr George Gharios, reviewed the final nomination file and scientific studies that SPNL prepared to designate the Beirut River Valley as Lebanon’s newest Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). The visit focused on the comprehensive dossier that SPNL assembled, which details the ecological, cultural, social, and spatial characteristics of the region and explains how it meets UNESCO MAB criteria for inclusion in the global network.

Dr. Sami Alawieh Receives the “Homat Al Hima Environment Hero Award – 2025” 🥇 As part of the strategic agreement signed between the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and the Litani River Authority (LRA), and following three years of positive and fruitful cooperation, both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding one of Lebanon’s most vital ecological corridors: the Litani River Hima zone. Their joint efforts continue to focus on rehabilitating and protecting key bird habitats and areas of high biodiversity value extending across the Central and Western Bekaa, from the Kfar Zabad–Anjar Hima complex to Saghbine and the wider network of Hima sites in the West Bekaa.

As part of the “Reviving the Upper Litani River and Qaraoun Lake” project funded by DIMFE, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) has launched a new practical measure to improve waste management practices across the West Bekaa. In a significant step toward source-level pollution reduction, SPNL has distributed dedicated waste cooking oil collection barrels to ten municipalities: Saghbine, Kefraya, Joub Jannine, Ain Zebdeh, Kherbet Qanafar, Qaraoun, Mansoura, Lala, Aana, and Beb Mareh. This intervention supports local authorities in shifting toward cleaner, safer, and more sustainable disposal methods.

Today, the Municipality of Kfarselwan hosted a vital training session for a group of Homat Al Hima, as part of a comprehensive capacity-building program focused on guiding skills and nature-based tourism. The training blends theoretical learning with practical, hands-on experience to empower local guardians of nature with the tools they need to lead in sustainable tourism. Throughout the intensive session, participants showcased outstanding engagement, enthusiasm, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth. The program goes beyond technical guiding—it aims to instill a robust understanding of sustainable tourism practices and the pivotal role that local communities play in preserving natural and cultural heritage.

HHIC Leads Major Planting Event on the Litani River Basin Under the DIMFE Project Under the DIMFE project, the Homat Al Hima International Center (HHIC) of SPNL organized a large-scale planting event along the Litani River Basin in collaboration with the Litani River Authority (LRA), the Lebanese Reforestation Initiative (LRI), and Kon Fares organization. This landmark event is part of a long-term effort to rehabilitate the entire Litani River Basin and strengthen community-based environmental stewardship in the West Bekaa. The activity took place in the presence of the President of the Union of Lake Municipalities…

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) successfully hosted Assad Serhal, General Director of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and one of the region’s most influential conservation leaders, for a Brown Bag Lunch (BBL) on Tuesday, 2 December 2025. Organized in collaboration with the IUCN Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA), the event took place at IUCN Headquarters in Gland and was streamed for online participants via Microsoft Teams. Serhal’s presentation introduced colleagues to the Hima, an ancient Levantine system of community-based stewardship that SPNL has revived, expanded, and transformed into a global model for community-led conservation.

The Anti-Poaching Unit (APU), in cooperation with the Municipality of Lala and the Hima Center, organized an awareness lecture at the Lala Official High School in West Beqaa, under the title: "The Role of the Student in Combating Poaching and Protecting Biodiversity." This initiative comes within the national efforts aimed at enhancing the awareness of students and youth about the increasing dangers of poaching, and their pivotal role in protecting wildlife and ecosystems in Lebanon. Around 50 male and female students, including a number of young hunters, participated in the lecture, alongside the teaching staff.

In a continued effort to protect one of Lebanon’s most vital ecological corridors, the Homat Al Hima International Center (HHIC) of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) held a high-level strategic meeting at the office of Minister Hassan Mrad in the West Bekaa. The gathering brought together representatives from the Lebanese Reforestation Initiative (LRI), the Litani River Authority (LRA), and Minister Mrad’s office, marking a significant step toward deepening inter-institutional cooperation for environmental education and Litani River Zone conservation. A Shared Vision for the Litani River Zone…

As part of its ongoing commitment to community-based conservation and resilience-building in the northern Bekaa, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) held two key coordination meetings with local authorities this week. The SPNL team met with Mr. Salim Nasrallah, Mayor of Ras Baalbek, and Mr. Bachir Matar, Mayor of Qaa, to review project progress and discuss the next phase of activities. Reaffirming Partnership and Progress During both meetings, SPNL presented updates on the implementation of ongoing project components, highlighting advancements achieved in recent months.

Between 11 and 14 November, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) carried out an impactful series of awareness sessions as part of the Al Murunah Project, engaging 200 couples from the communities of Ras Baalbek, Qaa, Fekha, and Arsal. Over four days, SPNL’s team delivered a comprehensive program aimed at deepening community understanding of the Hima approach, the project’s core vision, and the transformative potential of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Connecting Communities to the Hima Approach Participants were introduced to the philosophy and practice of the Hima model—SPNL’s flagship community-based conservation approach rooted in stewardship, shared responsibility, and sustainable natural resource management.

In the heart of the Bekaa, where the memory of the recent forest fire in Hima Anjar remains vivid, teachers and students came together for a transformative learning experience under the PROZHUM project funded by AFD. This SNOW session—designed to immerse learners in nature through sensory and hands-on activities—became more than an educational program: it evolved into a moment of reflection on responsibility, awareness, and the collective role communities play in protecting Lebanon’s vulnerable ecosystems. Learning After Loss Only weeks earlier, a forest fire swept through parts of Hima Anjar, leaving behind both physical damage and a renewed sense of urgency.

At the invitation of the Relief Scouts leadership – Mar Semaan Unit in Yahshoush, a special awareness session was held by the Anti-Poaching Unit to promote biodiversity conservation and responsible hunting practices. The event focused on the critical role of responsible hunters and scouts in combatting illegal hunting, as well as the unique behaviors of birds and their importance in preserving natural ecosystems. The goal was to spread a culture of environmental responsibility and encourage all segments of society to take part in protecting nature. 🎯 Following the session, the participating scouts received hands-on training in…

In a new milestone for regional environmental cooperation, Assaad Serhal, Director of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and a leading advocate of the Hima community-based conservation model, spearheaded a high-level visit to Amman aimed at deepening ties between Lebanon and Jordan in eco-tourism, heritage protection, and sustainable development. Serhal was accompanied by Fadi Ghanem, Chair of the National Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and President of Ghadi Association, along with H.E. Dr. Taher Al-Shakhshir, former Jordanian Minister of Environment.

استجابةً لشكاوى موثقة تقدم بها صيادون مستدامون في منطقة الشمال، نفّذ الفريق اللبناني – الدولي المشترك في وحدة مكافحة الصيد الجائر، بالتنسيق مع قيادة الدرك وبالتعاون الميداني مع مفرزة استقصاء الشمال، مهمة ميدانية لمكافحة الصيد الليلي في منطقتي بينو والعبدة. ويأتي هذا التحرك في وقت يشهد فيه لبنان انتشارًا واسعًا لممارسات الصيد الليلي غير المشروع، خصوصًا خلال موسم هجرة الطيور. ففي عطلات نهاية الأسبوع، تتجمع مجموعات من الرجال في أنحاء مختلفة من البلاد لاصطياد الطيور تحت جنح الظلام، مستخدمين كشافات ضخمة، وأشعة ليزر، وأجهزة مناداة إلكترونية صاخبة، في ما يعتبره البعض نشاطًا ترفيهيًا واجتماعيًا رغم آثاره المدمرة على الحياة البرية.