In the heart of Lebanon’s breathtaking landscapes, where cedar forests, wetlands, and migratory bird paths intertwine, a new digital tool is making its mark in conservation efforts. Quick Track, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon’s (SPNL) pioneering mobile application, is now available for download on the Google Play Store. Designed for nature enthusiasts, researchers, and environmental activists, this innovative app allows users to record biodiversity sightings and report environmental violations with just a few taps.
A Digital Tool for Conservation
Currently in its pilot phase, Quick Track is an initiative aimed at harnessing the power of citizen science to enhance biodiversity monitoring and environmental law enforcement. The app enables users to document wildlife observations, from rare bird species to endemic flora, contributing to a growing database of Lebanon’s rich biodiversity. Additionally, it provides a platform for concerned citizens to report illegal hunting, pollution, habitat destruction, and other environmental violations in real time.
How to Get Started
Though Quick Track is freely available on the Google Play Store, users must request login credentials from SPNL to begin using its features. This additional step ensures that data collection remains reliable and secure, preventing misuse and maintaining the integrity of reports submitted through the platform.
To start navigating the app:
- Download the app from the Google Play Store.
- Request a username and password from SPNL via this form.
- Log in and explore the app’s intuitive interface.
- Record biodiversity sightings by taking photos, entering species details, and adding location data.
- Report environmental violations, helping authorities and conservationists take prompt action.
A Mobile Application for Citizen Science and Biodiversity Monitoring
This mobile application is designed for scientists, environmental organizations, universities, practitioners, and researchers, providing an interactive platform to engage with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon’s (SPNL) efforts to cultivate a culture of citizen science in the country.
The application facilitates the integration of citizen science and biodiversity monitoring to generate ecological and social benefits while strengthening Lebanon’s biodiversity data. By involving communities in knowledge production, and data collection, this approach ensures a more inclusive and participatory environmental management process.
With a focus on Himas—Lebanon’s mixed-use protected landscapes—the app enables research on critical environmental questions while fostering community engagement in conservation efforts. The data collected through the app informs local decision-making, ensuring that environmental governance aligns with the needs and priorities of local communities.
The Power of Citizen Science
By bridging technology with environmental conservation, Quick Track empowers users to become active participants in Lebanon’s ecological preservation. Every sighting recorded and every violation reported contributes to a broader understanding of Lebanon’s ecosystems, supporting both scientific research and advocacy efforts.
With Lebanon facing increasing environmental pressures—from illegal hunting to deforestation—Quick Track is not just an app; it is a movement towards a more informed and engaged community working together to protect nature.
As SPNL continues to refine the app based on user feedback, the goal remains clear: to develop a robust, user-friendly tool that aids in safeguarding Lebanon’s natural heritage for generations to come.
Citizen Science Biodiversity Monitoring Manual
Involving local communities and stakeholders in biodiversity conservation and environmental management is essential for the success of protected areas. However, Lebanon lacks large-scale biodiversity monitoring, and society remains largely disconnected from conservation efforts.
To address this gap, we developed a Citizen Science Biodiversity Monitoring Manual tailored for Hima—Lebanon’s mixed-use protected areas. While the manual focuses on Himas in Lebanon, its principles and methodologies are widely applicable.
This manual integrates both environmental and social objectives, positioning citizen science as a tool for democratic innovation in rural areas. It represents a pioneering effort in Lebanon and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, offering a structured approach to formal citizen science in biodiversity monitoring.
We hope this manual serves as a foundation for similar initiatives across Lebanon and beyond, fostering greater community engagement in conservation efforts.
#EUBioConnect4Lebanon
The European Union supports Lebanon’s stability, independence and sovereignty, its prosperity and democratic order. It strives also to help protect its environment and natural resources by supporting sustainable enterprise and development.
Find out more about the EU’s work in Lebanon or follow it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EUinLebanon
BioConnect Fund
This mobile application was developed under the project “BioConnect”, funded by the European Union, as part of a broader effort to enhance citizen science, biodiversity monitoring, and community-led conservation in Lebanon. The application serves as an interactive platform for scientists, environmental organizations, universities, practitioners, and researchers, allowing them to engage with and contribute to the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon’s (SPNL) mission of fostering a citizen science culture in Lebanon.
About BioConnect: Partners and Objectives
BioConnect is a collaborative initiative aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research, environmental policy, and community engagement. The project brings together a diverse consortium of partners, including:
- Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) – Project lead, focusing on conservation and Hima-based participatory management.
- Regional and international research institutions – Providing scientific guidance and biodiversity monitoring expertise.
- Local universities and academic partners – Integrating citizen science methodologies into environmental education and research.
- Municipalities and local communities – Ensuring grassroots involvement and real-world application of conservation strategies.
- European and Mediterranean conservation networks – Facilitating knowledge exchange and best practices in biodiversity monitoring.
Deliverables and Impact
The BioConnect mobile application is a key deliverable of the project, designed to democratize biodiversity data collection and environmental governance. Key features and expected impacts include:
✅ Community-Driven Biodiversity Monitoring – Enabling local stakeholders to actively participate in data collection, making biodiversity information more comprehensive, dynamic, and accessible.
✅ Decision-Support Tool – Using real-time data to inform land-use planning, conservation policies, and sustainable management of protected areas, especially Himas (Lebanon’s traditional community-managed protected landscapes).
✅ Scientific Research & Citizen Engagement – Bridging academia and local knowledge, allowing researchers and citizens to collaborate on critical environmental issues affecting their communities.
✅ Digital Access to Conservation Efforts – Providing interactive maps, species identification tools, and reporting mechanisms that make conservation more inclusive and participatory.
✅ Capacity Building & Awareness – Training local communities, conservation practitioners, and decision-makers in the use of citizen science for ecological and social benefits.
As the first mobile application in Lebanon dedicated to citizen science and biodiversity monitoring across multiple habitats, BioConnect is a pioneering initiative in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The SPNL and project partners welcome engagement from all sectors of society, with the goal of continuously enhancing the application based on stakeholder feedback, user experience, and further research.
Through BioConnect, we aim to empower rural communities as environmental stewards, ensuring Lebanon’s biodiversity is protected for generations to come.
Join the movement. Download Quick Track today and take part in preserving Lebanon’s biodiversity!
