The “Along the Trails of Ras El Matn” project was launched on 6 November 2026 under the memorandum of understanding signed between ALBA and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), in cooperation with the Matn Al Aala for Environment and Sustainable Development (MESD) and Ras El Matn Municipality. The project aims to document the cultural, religious and archaeological heritage of the town and its surroundings, linking its preservation with nature conservation, sustainable tourism and local economic development.
The initiative reflects SPNL’s vision of advancing the Hima approach as a model for community management of natural and cultural resources. This approach brings together biodiversity conservation, the preservation of historical heritage and traditional knowledge, and meaningful community participation in protecting and sustainably managing local resources.
The project also contributes to developing an integrated vision for a natural park rooted in the area’s environmental, cultural and historical assets. By connecting local landmarks and trails, it seeks to strengthen Ras El Matn’s appeal as a destination for ecotourism and cultural and heritage tourism.
The first phase began with a meeting at Ras El Matn Municipality, where project lead Elie Abi Nassif presented the initiative’s background, objectives and implementation stages. He highlighted the importance of research and fieldwork in discovering, documenting and communicating the value of local heritage.
The meeting was followed by a field visit involving ALBA students to heritage and historical sites in Ras El Matn and its surroundings. These included Saraya Al Maan, Ain El Marj, the Saloua Raouda Choucair Museum, the Adel Salha Museum, the Church of the Annunciation, Khalwat Al Chqif, the ancient sarcophagi in Btaaline, the church in Darkouna, Sitt Sara Cave, and the museum and handicraft workshop of the Ras El Matn Women’s Association.
These visits provide a foundation for specialised studies documenting the area’s historical and cultural richness, highlighting its local identity, and exploring ways to support local development, sustainable tourism, traditional crafts and knowledge.
SPNL plays a central role in the project, drawing on its experience in reviving and developing the Hima model in Lebanon and the wider region. This approach recognises nature and heritage as interconnected elements of a place’s identity and collective memory, while involving local communities in setting conservation and development priorities.
“Along the Trails of Ras El Matn” represents a step towards making the area’s natural and cultural wealth a foundation for sustainable local development. Through cooperation among academic institutions, environmental organisations, the municipality and the local community, the project seeks to protect resources, preserve heritage and create economic opportunities linked to ecotourism and cultural tourism.
