Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon

خلال إعلان «حديقة البطاركة – الديمان» حِمىً ضمن وادي قاديشا في 6 آب/أغسطس 2026، قدّم المدير العام لجمعية حماية الطبيعة في لبنان، أسعد سرحال، إلى غبطة البطريرك الماروني الكاردينال مار بشارة بطرس الراعي نسخةً من «النداء من أجل دعم مبادرات الحفظ بقيادة المجتمعات المحلية»، في حضور وزيرة البيئة الدكتورة تمارا الزين، والدكتور نزار حسن، كبير مستشاري العلوم والتكنولوجيا للدول العربية ورئيس قسم العلوم…

During the declaration of the “Garden of the Patriarchs–Diman” as a Hima within the Qadisha Valley on 6 August 2026, SPNL Director General Assaad Serhal presented Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi with a copy of the “Call for Supporting Community-Led Conservation Initiatives,” in the presence of Minister of Environment Dr Tamara El Zein and Dr Nizar Hassan, Senior Adviser…

SPNL and the Municipality of Hardine mobilize residents, partners and the diaspora to protect the village’s natural and cultural heritage and support the Hima School Bus The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), in cooperation with the Municipality of Hardine, the local community and members of the Hardine diaspora, organized the Hima Hardine Fundraising Dinner at the monastery…

Launch of the “Diman Call” to Support Community-Led Nature Conservation Initiatives and Sustainable Development in the Mashreq Region https://www.spnl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Video-2026-08-06-at-11.56.09-AM.mp4 The “Patriarchs’ Garden – Diman” was officially declared a Hima during a ceremony held on Thursday morning, 6 August 2026, at the Patriarchs’ Garden in Diman, within the…

The Municipality of Sarhmoul, in cooperation with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), has officially inaugurated Al-Hosn Trail as part of the expanding Hima Trails Network. The initiative aims to promote ecotourism, support sustainable local development, and showcase the area’s remarkable natural, cultural, and rural…

As part of its nationwide mission to expand Lebanon’s network of community-led protected areas, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) conducted a courtesy visit to the Municipality, where an SPNL delegation met with Mayor Mr. Nidal Al Jurdi to introduce the Hima approach and explore opportunities for future cooperation in biodiversity conservation, environmental stewardship,…

The Municipality of Aramoun and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) have initiated discussions on establishing Hima Aramoun, a pioneering community-led conservation project aimed at protecting the municipality’s natural heritage while advancing sustainable local development. The meeting took place at the Municipality of Aramoun and was chaired by Mayor Eng. Hossam…

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) proudly participated in the official inauguration ceremony of the new Governor of Lions Clubs International District 351 (Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine), Mr. Elias Antonios, held at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut under the patronage of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister. Representing SPNL were Mr. Assad Serhal, Director…

By Ibrahim Fawzi Odeh Palestine Wildlife Society The Hima concept, recognized as one of the world’s oldest systems of natural resource management, is a traditional approach based on designating areas of land through agreement among members of the local community for their protection and sustainable use in ways that maintain ecological balance. Historically, this system was practiced in Palestine,…

The future of nature conservation is becoming increasingly intelligent. Around the world, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way protected areas are monitored, managed, and restored—enabling conservationists to detect threats earlier, respond faster, and make better-informed decisions. For the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), this technological revolution…

Protecting nature and strengthening community-led conservation are at the core of the vision of Hardine Municipality, according to Mayor Joseph Assaf, who highlighted Hima Hardine as a cornerstone of the municipality’s strategy to safeguard biodiversity while promoting sustainable local development. In an interview with Kawalees Magazine, Assaf outlined his priorities following his election as…

H.E. Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian received a delegation from the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) to discuss opportunities for strengthening cooperation and expanding youth engagement in community-based conservation through the Hima approach. The meeting focused on developing a strategic partnership between the Ministry and SPNL to empower young people…

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) has taken another step toward strengthening the links between nature conservation, cultural heritage, and higher education through a fruitful meeting at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK). The meeting brought together Mr. Antoine Dahdah, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design, and Mr. Antoine Zaarour, Head of the…

Mohammed Abdullah Al Hammadi In the past, fishing and pearl oyster diving were the primary sources of income for most coastal communities. These activities were carried out aboard traditional wooden sailing vessels that set out during specific seasons, guided by prevailing winds and sea currents. The smallest of these boats was the Banoosh, which accommodated up to four people and was used for…

Umm Humaid Al Mansoori I have loved weaving with palm fronds since I was a child, watching my family practice this traditional craft. I later took it up myself, although my production was limited while I was busy raising my children. Once they had grown up, palm frond weaving became my source of income. We collect the fronds from the mother palm tree, dry them, and weave them into traditional…

Ahmed Al Ali Pearl diving was among the hardest, most exhausting, and most dangerous experiences ever endured by the people of the sea. It was a journey filled with countless risks, for the diver ventured into the unknown, relying only on God and on the simplest of tools—a rope and a weighted stone to carry him to the seabed. There were no diving suits, no oxygen tanks, and none of the safety…

The traditional Hima approach took center stage at the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) in Abu Dhabi, where it was showcased as a powerful, community-led model for sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and peacebuilding. Practiced across the Arab world for more than 1,500 years and revitalized by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) since…