Wings & Waves Newsletter | January - February 2019 | Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon

Wings & Waves Newsletter | January – February 2019

Please welcome SPNL’s 23rd Hima at Hammana

14 November 2018 was an important day for SPNL welcoming Hammana’s municipal council decree to declare the village as Hima. The municipal council, led by Mr. Bachir Farhat, was proactive in declaring part of the municipal land as Hima for sustainable use such as ecotourism, responsible grazing, and responsible hunting.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun awards Assad Serhal Silver Lebanese Order of Merit Medal in recognition of his contributions to Environment in Lebanon

Former Minister of Environment Tariq Al Khatib honored Assad Serhal, the Director General of Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon – SPNL (Birdlife Lebanon), on behalf of President Michel Aoun for being named one of the winners of the 2018 MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity. At the awarding ceremony, held by the Lebanese Environment Forum (LEF) at Coral Beach Hotel in Beirut, Assad Serhal was given the Silver Lebanese Order of Merit Medal from the President.

SPNL is on the short-listed nominations for the #LushSpringPrize 2019

We are proud to announce that SPNL has been shortlisted for the INFLUENCE award by Lush Spring Prize. Amazing to be striding side by side so many other amazing organizations working towards regeneration in all its forms.

Lebanon’s National Key Biodiversity Areas Coordination Group: towards the development of a coherent list of KBAs in each country

The Minister of Environment, Tarek El-Khatib appointed Ms. Lara Semaha to represent MOE in the National KBA Coordination Groups.SPNL is happy, to be a key partner in this precious movement.

Flight for Survival – Spring Migration 2019

This spring, BirdLife is telling the spectacular migratory stories of seven iconic birds – exposing the illegal threats they face along the African-Eurasian flyway. Are you ready to embark on nature’s most incredible journey? Join us as we follow our magnificent seven on their epic ‘Flight for Survival’.

Biodiversity monitoring training in in Hima Kherbet Kanafar

SPNL organized the second round of biodiversity monitoring training in West Bekaa Country Club- WBCC in Hima Kherbet Kanafar. The training is part of the “Shouf Landscape” pilot project funded by MAVA and implemented in partnership with ACS.

Water resources Protection in West Baalbeck region through Hima Approach

SPNL team visited West Baalbeck on Feb.11.2019. The meeting was heading Dr. Ibrahim nassar, president of the Municipality of West Baalbeck Union, Mr. Rida Dirani, Mayor of Qsarnaba Municipality, and Mr. Hussein Janbien, Mayor of Tamnine Al Fawqa Municipality.

Japan is willing to support Hima wildlife Rescue Center at Hima Ras El Matn

Assad Serhal, SPNL Director-General, and winner of the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2018 met today with H.E. Matahiro Yamaguchi Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Lebanon.
He invited SPNL to apply for the grant to establish a Hima wildlife Rescue Center at Hima Ras El Matn.

We are Rooted Everyday : Many Paths, One Mediterranean

Being part of #RootedEveryday is saying ‘YES’ to caring for the earth and being fair to the people whose direct livelihoods depend on it. Find out more about our mission to reverse the loss of biodiversity that occurs when Mediterranean cultural practices that have existed for generations stop.

Web of Life The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity

Overcoming a prolonged state of conflict, Mr. Assad Serhal of Lebanon restored the ways of the indigenous people of coexisting with nature to achieve outstanding results.
Source: https://www.jibtv.com/programs/web_of_life/

Partnership agreement between SPNL and LRA

A partnership agreement between the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon – SPNL and the Litani River Authority – LRA was established on the 31^st of December 2018.

SPNL team field visit with Litani River Authority

As a follow up to the agreement signed between SPNL and Litani River Authority on 31 December 2018, a field visit was organized today to the West Bekaa region. The aim of the field visit is to develop an action plan with SPNL starting with bird observatory at Kherbet Qanafar, and water & soil laboratory. Litani River Authority provided SPNL with the needed facilities and agricultural land for conservation and development. This collaboration would strengthen the Homat Al Hima programme for youth empowerment, and the Hima Farm for the benefit of nature, migratory soaring birds-MSBs, and the local community.