Guardians of Hima: Youth Leading Lebanon’s Environmental Future

Through its BioConnect Aside Event project, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), in collaboration with the Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS) – BrainCamp, organized a special environmental awareness activity under the theme: “Guardians of Hima.”

This initiative highlighted the importance of promoting environmental culture among youth and students, recognizing them as the cornerstone of building a future in harmony with nature. The event featured a series of lectures and interactive workshops covering:

  • Environmental awareness and the importance of conserving biodiversity as both a natural heritage and a national wealth.

  • Raising alerts about environmental risks threatening villages and communities, and the need to develop plans to mitigate them.

  • First aid training as part of individual responsibility and readiness to respond to emergencies during environmental and sports activities.

Beyond theory, participating students moved from the SPNL center to Baysour Hima – Tallet Trail, where they engaged in a hands-on field experience amidst nature. There, they explored the “Hima Trails” project, designed to connect various Hima sites across Lebanon, strengthening environmental and cultural ties between villages while fostering a sustainable network for nature protection and eco-tourism.

Students also took part in the “SNOW” program, which encourages outdoor learning beyond traditional classrooms, offering direct interaction with wildlife and biodiversity. This blend of academic learning and field experience added a practical dimension to their knowledge and deepened their awareness of the vital role youth can play in protecting the environment.

The event, combining both theoretical and field components, created a space for interaction, dialogue, and the exchange of experiences—emphasizing that nature protection is not solely the responsibility of institutions, but a shared culture and duty that begins with individual awareness and grows through collective action.

Through this collaboration with academic and community partners, SPNL demonstrates that Hima is not merely a protected geographical area but a way of life and a sustainable culture, reflecting the authenticity of the bond between people and their land.

Al Hima Magazine 5th Issue

This edition of Al Hima magazine weaves together inspiring stories of nature conservation and community resilience, highlighting how Lebanon is being stitched back to life—one Hima at a time. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) continues its mission to preserve the country’s natural heritage by empowering local communities. A cornerstone of this effort is the BioConnect project, funded by the European Union, which has achieved three national firsts: Lebanon’s first natural park (Upper Matn), first geological park (Shouf-Jezzine), and first endowment Hima (Btekhnay).

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