The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) continues to make strides in biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability. The latest technical report from Husein Ali Zorkot, Field Biologist, Scientific Researcher, and Wildlife Artist, highlights remarkable progress in SPNL’s ongoing initiatives, particularly within the framework of the SPNL Scientific Objective 2020-2030 and the Biodiversity and Biomes Program.
Key Highlights from December 25, 2024 – January 23, 2025
- Biomonitoring Program for Beirut Valley
- SPNL initiated a biomonitoring program across 10 strategic locations in the Beirut Valley, focusing on plant biodiversity in the Upper Matn area.
- Fieldwork included biomonitoring activities in Kherbet Qanafar and Ain Zebdeh, with plans extending into Shemlan and surrounding areas.
- Scientific Documentation and Research
- The development of comprehensive pictorial volumes on Lebanese animals and plants is underway, with over 2,900 species already illustrated. These efforts aim to promote awareness and documentation of Lebanon’s rich biodiversity.
- Butterfly Conservation at HHI Park
- The butterfly garden at HHI Park in West Bekaa is being managed to create a haven for local Lepidoptera species.
- Hima Gardens Management
- Efforts to manage Hima gardens in Mount Lebanon continue, fostering sustainable land management practices and community engagement.
- Workshops and Collaboration
- Meetings and workshops held on January 16 and planned for January 24 have facilitated the exchange of ideas and refinement of biomonitoring methodologies.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming months will see SPNL expand its biomonitoring efforts to additional locations, print the much-anticipated pictorial volume on Lebanese animals, and further develop fieldwork techniques and conservation strategies. These efforts contribute directly to Bioconnect, SPNL’s flagship biodiversity program, running until 2025.
About SPNL
Founded in 1984, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon is dedicated to preserving Lebanon’s natural heritage and promoting sustainable development. SPNL’s conservation model is rooted in the Hima approach, a traditional community-based system that harmonizes nature conservation with human livelihoods.
For more information about SPNL’s biodiversity initiatives and to explore the Butterfly Garden at HHI Park, visit butterflies.spnl.org.
Overview of the BioConnect Project
The BioConnect Project, funded by the European Union, aims to enhance the management and governance of environmentally significant sites in southern Lebanon and establish new protected areas to preserve natural landscapes and biodiversity on a broader scale in the region.
#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
