As part of the project “Beirut River Valley: Towards Establishing Lebanon’s First Natural Park”, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) has stepped up its community outreach by meeting with the newly elected municipal leaders and environmental committees in the Upper Beirut River Valley.
The SPNL team recently visited the municipalities of Btakhnaï, Hammana, and Ras el Matn, among other villages that together form the 17-community mosaic of the envisioned Natural Park. The purpose of the meetings was to ensure that local authorities and residents remain central partners in shaping this pioneering conservation initiative—one that aims to balance biodiversity protection with community well-being.
During the discussions, SPNL presented the progress achieved so far and outlined upcoming activities focused on sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation. Local officials warmly welcomed the initiative, with mayors and council members expressing their commitment to supporting the Natural Park. They highlighted their enthusiasm for practical activities such as environmental awareness programs, training opportunities, and tree-planting campaigns, all of which combine ecological protection with tangible benefits for local communities.
This outreach marks a significant step forward in building momentum for Lebanon’s first Natural Park, ensuring that the people of the Beirut River Valley are not just beneficiaries but active stewards of the landscapes and ecosystems that sustain them.
