As part of its ongoing mission to expand Lebanon’s nationwide Hima network and strengthen partnerships with local authorities, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) paid a courtesy visit to the Municipality of Choueifat, where an SPNL delegation met with Mayor Mr. Nidal Al Jurdi to introduce the Hima approach and discuss opportunities for future collaboration in biodiversity conservation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable local development.
The SPNL delegation included Mr. Hamadeh Malaaeb, Manager of the Hima Trails Programme, and Mr. Rami Kadro, Manager of the Mount Lebanon Hima Center. During the meeting, the delegation presented SPNL’s vision for expanding the Hima network across Lebanon and strengthening partnerships with municipalities as key stakeholders in protecting natural resources, conserving biodiversity, and advancing sustainable environmental development.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted SPNL’s vision of the Hybrid Hima System, which integrates biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable livelihoods, cultural heritage preservation, climate resilience, and environmental education. The approach empowers local communities to become active custodians of their natural resources while creating opportunities for eco-tourism, green jobs, and local economic development.
The discussion also showcased SPNL’s experience in establishing and supporting dozens of Hima sites across Lebanon. These community-managed conservation areas have become successful examples of collaboration between municipalities, civil society, academic institutions, and international partners, contributing to the protection of migratory birds, safeguarding critical habitats, and promoting sustainable development rooted in local participation.
Particular attention was given to the environmental and natural assets of Choueifat, as both parties explored the potential for establishing Hima Choueifat as a model that would protect the municipality’s natural heritage while supporting sustainable tourism, strengthening ecological resilience, and enhancing the quality of life for local communities.
Mayor Nidal Al Jurdi welcomed the initiative and expressed strong interest in the Hima approach, reaffirming the municipality’s commitment to environmental protection and its readiness to cooperate with SPNL in developing practical conservation initiatives that serve both nature and the community.
As a key outcome of the meeting, both parties agreed to organize a joint field assessment to identify potential Hima sites within the municipality and evaluate their ecological, cultural, and socio-economic significance. The visit will lay the groundwork for a long-term partnership aimed at establishing Hima Choueifat as part of Lebanon’s growing national Hima network.
Concluding the meeting, SPNL reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside municipalities throughout Lebanon to revive the Hima tradition as a forward-looking model for conservation and sustainable development. By combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation science, the Hima approach continues to demonstrate that protecting nature and empowering communities are mutually reinforcing goals, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future for Lebanon.
