Bridging Nature and People: Advancing Conservation and Water Security in the MENA Region

Under the leadership of Stephanie Ferando, Project Manager, the past month has been marked by significant progress in conservation and sustainability efforts. Through the Nature Conservation Department, multiple projects have advanced their mission of integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), biodiversity protection, and community engagement in the MENA region.

Water Security and Nature-Based Solutions with Al Murunah

The Al Murunah project, funded by the FCDO (British Embassy), is working to improve water security and agricultural water management using Nature-Based Solutions. The initiative is also strengthening national capacities and prioritizing the inclusion of marginalized communities, particularly women and youth.

Key Achievements:

•  Led a preparatory meeting with IUCN and IWMI, aligning stakeholders on upcoming activities.
• Successfully participated in a three-day annual regional workshop (February 9-11), fostering regional cooperation on NbS implementation.

Biodiversity Protection through BioConnect

The EU-funded BioConnect project is dedicated to enhancing the governance of ecologically critical areas in southern Lebanon while advocating for the establishment of new protected areas (PAs).

Progress Highlights:

• Finalized and submitted the QR12 technical report, covering conservation efforts from November 2024 to January 2025.
• Led preparations for the BioConnect financial report, ensuring smooth administrative processes.
• Participated in the Working Group III webinar, focusing on effective protected area (PA) management strategies.

Innovative Collaboration for Bird Conservation (IKB Project)

Education remains central to conservation. This month, the Illegal Killing of Birds (IKB) project advanced new partnerships to promote environmental awareness:

• Coordinated with College Notre Dame de Louaize (NDL) to explore collaboration opportunities under the SNOW program.
• Held a strategic meeting on February 20th, setting the stage for future educational initiatives.

Amplifying Conservation on a Global Stage

As SPNL’s representative and Secretary of the IUCN National Committee in Lebanon, Ferando played a pivotal role in shaping discussions for the upcoming IUCN Congress in Dubai (September 2025).

Two proposals were submitted:

1. “Linking Culture to Nature” – Highlighting the connection between cultural heritage and conservation.
2. “Hima Eco-Media” – Promoting innovative storytelling approaches to engage communities in biodiversity protection.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Greater Impact

The upcoming month will focus on continued project development, new stakeholder engagements, and participation in key regional dialogues. The Nature Conservation Department’s commitment remains steadfast—driving sustainability, biodiversity protection, and community empowerment in the region.