In a country where environmental challenges are increasingly intertwined with economic and social pressures, a new movement is emerging, not only in forests and protected areas, but also in newsrooms, studios, and digital platforms.
Lebanon’s environmental media landscape is entering a new phase of impact and professionalism, marked by the launch of HIMA ECO MEDIA and The Earthbound 30×30 environmental podcast, two initiatives designed to strengthen scientific communication, promote biodiversity conservation, and elevate environmental journalism nationwide.
A Meeting that Signals Momentum
The shift was underscored during a high-level meeting with Minister of Information Dr. Paul Morcos, where Mr. Fadi Ghanem, President of the Ghadi Association and Chairman of the Environmental Media Group, outlined a forward-looking vision for environmental media in Lebanon.
He described a moment of transition, from scattered coverage of environmental issues to the creation of specialized platforms capable of producing credible, science-based, and documentary-driven content that supports national conservation policies.
But beyond media strategy, the meeting reflected a broader alliance between journalism, civil society, and conservation practitioners.
SPNL at the Heart of the Narrative
Representing the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon, Mr. Assaad Serhal, Director General of SPNL, joined the delegation alongside key program leaders who embody the field-based dimension of environmental action.
Mr. André Beshara, Director of the Hima Guardians Program, brought forward the human story of community stewardship, where local residents act as guardians of shared natural resources.
Mr. Hammadeh Malaeb, Director of the Hima Trails Program, highlighted how eco-tourism and carefully designed trails can serve as bridges between conservation and sustainable rural livelihoods.
Together, they presented SPNL’s media work to the Ministry, including the long-standing publication Hima Magazine, which has documented Lebanon’s biodiversity, community conservation efforts, and the revival of the Hima model as a national approach to protected area governance.
Their presence signaled an essential message: environmental media must be rooted in lived experience. Stories of biodiversity and sustainability gain power when they are connected to forests, springs, villages, and the people who protect them.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Somia Ayadi, President of the Association for Community and Environment (ACE); Attorney Theodore Demar Youssef, Secretary of the Ghadi Association; Mr. André Khalil, member of the Association’s Administrative Board; Ms. Nahida Youssef Raslan, Vice President of the Upper Metn Association for Environment and Sustainable Development; Mr. Rafic Makarem, Manager of Hima Ras El Matn; and Mr. Jawad Noueihd, Director of the Ecotourism Program at Hima Ras El Matn.
Launching HIMA ECO MEDIA
At the center of this transformation is the launch of HIMA ECO MEDIA, a specialized environmental media platform dedicated to producing high-quality scientific and documentary content.
The platform aims to serve as a professional hub for environmental journalism in Lebanon and the region, bridging scientific research, fieldwork, and public awareness. In a time of misinformation and fragmented narratives, its mission is clear, to deliver credible, accessible, and impactful environmental storytelling.
The Earthbound 30×30: A Podcast for Biodiversity
Complementing the platform is The Earthbound 30×30 environmental podcast, launched in partnership with SPNL.
The title itself reflects a global ambition, protecting 30 percent of land and sea by 2030, while grounding the conversation in local realities. Through documentary-style audio storytelling, the podcast will explore biodiversity, sustainability, and the Hima model as a community-based framework for managing natural resources.
By translating complex environmental concepts into compelling narratives, the podcast aims to reach wider audiences, from policymakers to students, from conservationists to everyday citizens.
Media as a Conservation Tool
The delegation also briefed the Minister on upcoming agreements with strategic partners, as well as cooperation with the IUCN Members Network to strengthen media’s role in supporting biodiversity conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Minister Morcos expressed full support for these initiatives, recognizing that specialized environmental media is no longer a luxury but a necessity in shaping responsible public discourse.
An invitation was extended to him to attend the upcoming Hima Guardians Forum and to visit Hima Ras El Matn, a living example of community-led conservation. He expressed his readiness to participate.
Beyond Platforms, Toward Cultural Change
As the meeting concluded, Mr. Ghanem presented a commemorative shield to Minister Morcos, symbolizing appreciation for institutional support. Yet the true significance of the moment lies beyond ceremonial gestures.
HIMA ECO MEDIA and The Earthbound 30×30 are not merely communication tools. They represent a strategic shift, from reporting on environmental decline to actively shaping solutions.
In Lebanon, where biodiversity is both fragile and extraordinary, strengthening environmental media may well be one of the most powerful conservation strategies of all.
