ACS students visited Hima Hammana .. A journey of knowledge to conserve the future

What do Forest fire prevention, drip irrigation, an Egyptian Vulture and bird protection have in common? The HIMA – “protected areas”, in Arabic. Through the Hima, SPNL works towards a sustainable Lebanon where people and nature live in harmony. To spread stop Nature’s Bankruptcy and create Peace, SPNL invited students, aged 13 to 17, to our Hima Farm in Hammana. A day, dedicated to appreciate Lebanon’s natural resources and how to conserve those resources for future generations.
In the framework for nature conservation through education, SPNL provided an outdoor education day for school students from the American Community School (ACS), of ages between 12 and 17, at Hima Hammana. This group of children represented their local school environmental club. During that day, SPNL has capacitated these children with the basic concepts of the hima approach, sustainable farming, and bird protection.

Nature conservation through education
School students from the American Community School (ACS), were acquainted with the basic concepts of the Hima approach, sustainable farming, and bird protection. More importantly, the students discovered the added value of bird conservation, and how they can contribute to reduce illegal killing of Birds within their community. Along the way, they learned about the basic principles of forest fire preventions to better understand the catastrophic impact of forest fires on the ecosystem.

Bird Protection without Borders
Furthermore, SPNL has shared the incredible story of Anahita, an Egyptian Vulture shot by Lebanese poachers in 2020, and rescued by SPNL. Since then, she has been treated and regained strength in our Bird Rescue Center; waiting to be transported back to Bulgaria, to our counterpart, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), and carrying with it, lovely memories from Lebanon.

Knowledge acquired and ready to be spread
In the afternoon, the students walked around the Hima farm, where they witnessed how sustainable farming is done, such as drip irrigation, permaculture, and terracing. The tour was completed by some cherry picking. DELICIOUS!
Talking without acting is not in our DNA, so our youth supported the municipality in maintaining the Air France Park, by removing the weeds and cleaning under the trees. To close this amazing day, a brainstorming session was set in place: how can they act? They established ideas on how to spread the acquired knowledge among their fellow peers and how to roll out fundraising campaigns to enhance the park.
When asked about their day, they replied it was a great experience that helped them develop the critical thinking they need to understand some of the complexities of environmental problems. Through this educational journey, SPNL encouraged them to act on their own to conserve natural resources and use them in a responsible manner.

 

This activity was conducted under with the support of Egyptian Vulture New LIFE project