Under the esteemed patronage of Minister of Environment Dr. Tamara El Zein, and in the presence of Mr. Cyril Dewaleyne, Deputy Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) hosted a landmark exhibition titled: “Stitching Lebanon’s First Natural Park: One Hima at a Time”
The event was held at Abadiyeh Club, with the support of the Municipality of Abadiyeh, bringing together an influential group of national and local stakeholders in environmental conservation, governance, and community empowerment.
High-Level Participation
The exhibition was marked by senior representatives from government, civil society, and international partners, including Dr. Carla Khater, who represented the Minister of Environment. Mr. Ali Ramadan, President of the Higher Council for Urban Planning, representing Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayyaz Rasamni. MP Alain Aoun, Mr. Amin Halabi, representing MP Hadi Aboul Hosn. Brigadier General Nabil Farah, Director General of Civil Defense. Colonel Kamil Yazbek, Commander of Baabda Police Unit. Mr. Rachid Sarkis, Advisor to the Governor of Mount Lebanon. Mr. Wassim Abou Said, Mayor of Chouit and representative of the Union of Municipalities of Upper Metn. Engineer Malek Ghandour, President of the Lebanese Environmental Forum. Paul Abi Rached Founder of TERRE Liban association. Mr. Fadi Ghanem, President of the National Committee of IUCN. Heads of municipal councils, mukhtars, environmental and civil society leaders, and local sports clubs.
Opening Session
Speech by Mr. Adel Najd
Mayor of Abadiyeh
“On behalf of the Municipality of Abadiyeh, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I welcome you all to this important gathering. Today’s exhibition, ‘Stitching Lebanon’s First Natural Park, One Hima at a Time’, is not just a celebration—it is a milestone in our collective journey toward protecting our natural heritage and empowering our communities.
Abadiyeh has long been committed to preserving its landscapes, traditions, and biodiversity. By embracing the Hima model, we are not only reviving a legacy of stewardship deeply rooted in our culture, but we are also responding to today’s urgent environmental challenges with sustainable, locally led solutions.
This initiative would not have been possible without the invaluable partnership with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon and the support of national institutions and international donors such as the European Union. Together, we are demonstrating that conservation is most effective when it is inclusive—when it involves municipalities, civil society, and citizens working hand in hand.
Let this exhibition serve as a beacon for other municipalities across Lebanon to follow suit. From the heart of Abadiyeh, we extend a call to protect what remains of our natural beauty—not only for ourselves, but for future generations.”
Speech by Mr. Assad Serhal
The event featured a keynote address by Mr. Assad Serhal, Chairman of BirdLife International Middle East and Director General of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), in which he underscored the vital role of the Hima approach as a cornerstone of Lebanon’s biodiversity restoration efforts. Mr. Serhal reflected on the historic roots of Hima—a centuries-old Arab tradition of community-based conservation—and how its revival by SPNL has become a transformative model for environmental stewardship in the region. He highlighted how the Hima system not only protects key habitats and migratory corridors but also strengthens local governance structures by placing decision-making power in the hands of municipalities and communities. Through this participatory model, the Hima approach fosters environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and economic resilience. Mr. Serhal called upon policymakers, donors, and community leaders to invest in Hima networks as a scalable, culturally rooted solution to the interconnected crises of biodiversity loss, land degradation, and climate change.
Speech by Mr. Cyril Dewaleyne
Mr. Cyril Dewaleyne, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, reaffirmed the EU’s steadfast commitment to supporting nature-based solutions and advancing ecological connectivity across Lebanon. He highlighted the strategic importance of the BIOCONNECT project, an initiative funded by the European Union that fosters environmental resilience by linking biodiversity corridors and enhancing the governance of protected areas. Mr. Dewaleyne emphasized that the strength of the BIOCONNECT approach lies in its inclusive framework—promoting collaboration not only across municipalities but also among local communities, civil society organizations, and public institutions. He commended SPNL and its partners for revitalizing the Hima model and for demonstrating how community-led conservation can become a cornerstone of sustainable territorial planning. Through such partnerships, he noted, Lebanon can progress toward its biodiversity goals while empowering communities to become active stewards of their natural heritage.
Speech by Dr. Carla Khater
Representing Her Excellency, Dr. Tamara El Zein, Minister of Environment
“It is with great pleasure that I speak on behalf of Her Excellency, Dr. Tamara El Zein, to affirm the Ministry of Environment’s full support for this remarkable initiative led by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon.
The vision of ‘Stitching Lebanon’s First Natural Park, One Hima at a Time’ reflects the very essence of environmental governance—where nature protection is not only a national responsibility but a shared, participatory process. This initiative showcases how local communities, municipalities, and civil society can come together to co-create a future grounded in ecological balance and sustainability.
The Ministry firmly believes that Lebanon’s future lies in community-rooted conservation models that value traditional knowledge, restore ecological corridors, and protect biodiversity. The revival of the Hima approach is not merely symbolic—it is strategic. It reconnects people to the land, culture to conservation, and decision-making to the grassroots.
On behalf of the Ministry of Environment, I extend deep appreciation to the Municipality of Abadiyeh and to SPNL for their pioneering efforts. This collaboration is a model for how we can collectively build a network of natural parks that respect our landscapes, engage our people, and meet our commitments to national and global environmental goals.”
Speech by Mr. Ali Ramadan
President of the Higher Council for Urban Planning, representing the Minister of Public Works and Transport
“It is a great honor to join you today on behalf of His Excellency Minister Fayyaz Rasamni, to witness this inspiring initiative led by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon. The exhibition ‘Stitching Lebanon’s First Natural Park, One Hima at a Time’ is more than a celebration of conservation—it is a blueprint for sustainable urban-rural integration.
As the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, we recognize the vital role that urban planning plays in preserving our country’s natural and cultural landscapes. Initiatives such as this strengthen our commitment to a development model that respects biodiversity, empowers local communities, and aligns with Lebanon’s ecological heritage.
The Hima model represents a return to community-based stewardship—an approach that echoes with history and resonates with our future. We commend the Municipality of Abadiyeh and all the partners involved for championing this cause. Together, through planning, protection, and participation, we can chart a more sustainable and inclusive path for Lebanon’s urban and natural environments.”
Showcasing Partnership and Progress
The exhibition also featured presentations from core BIOCONNECT project partners, showcasing community-driven efforts to strengthen ecological corridors across Lebanon:
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Dr Soumaya Ayadi President of ACE – Association for Community and Environment
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Kamal Abou Assi Project Manager at ACS – Al Shouf Cedar Society
- Lara Kanso Project Manager at ACS – Al Shouf Cedar Society
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Bassima Khatib Project Manager at SPNL – Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon
In a dedicated session, partners of the Hima Ras El Matn initiative shared their experiences in linking traditional conservation practices with municipal action.
Speakers included:
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Mr. Raja Bou Reslan, Mayor of Ras El Matn
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Mrs. Ghada Ghazal, President of the MESD (Municipality, Environment and Sustainable Development)
Towards Lebanon’s First Natural Park
The exhibition’s title reflects a bold vision: connecting Lebanon’s diverse landscapes and communities into a unified National Park framework using the Hima model—a time-honored Arab conservation system revived by SPNL to promote locally managed protected areas. Through this approach, Lebanon is taking steps to meet international biodiversity targets while honoring its cultural and natural heritage.
