The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) is honored to welcome Dr. Mazin Butros Qumsiyeh — renowned Palestinian scientist, author, and founder of the Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability — on a landmark solidarity visit to Lebanon.
Dr. Qumsiyeh, currently nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize by Nobel Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire, will be touring a selection of SPNL’s Hima sites, engaging with local communities, and exploring joint initiatives focused on environmental protection, cultural heritage, and peacebuilding through nature.
The visit marks a powerful moment of convergence between science, faith, and environmental stewardship, as Dr. Qumsiyeh is particularly interested in SPNL’s work on Hima for Peace, Quranic Gardens, and Biblical Botanical Gardens — initiatives that merge ecological restoration with spiritual and interfaith harmony. These concepts are rooted in the region’s sacred traditions and represent a shared vision for peace through the protection of land, biodiversity, and collective memory.
“Dr. Qumsiyeh’s visit is a milestone in our efforts to build bridges across borders through the universal language of nature,” said Assad Serhal, Director General of SPNL and Chairman Birdlife Middle East . “His life’s work in Palestine — rooted in justice, science, and sustainability — mirrors our mission to revive Lebanon’s traditional conservation model of Hima and to connect communities through shared ecological and cultural values.”
Dr. Qumsiyeh will visit key Hima sites including, where he will interact with SPNL’s field teams, youth eco-clubs, and local municipalities. The tour also includes a series of knowledge exchange workshops focusing on biodiversity monitoring, community-led conservation, and linking ecological protection with peace education.
With over 150 scientific publications and multiple books on biodiversity, ecology, and social justice, Dr. Qumsiyeh brings with him decades of interdisciplinary expertise. He is also known for his grassroots activism and his leadership in educational outreach in Palestine, particularly for youth and women in rural areas.
The visit reaffirms the shared environmental and cultural challenges faced by Lebanon and Palestine and highlights the importance of regional solidarity in the face of climate change, conflict, and ecological degradation.
About SPNL:
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon is one of the oldest environmental NGOs in the Arab world and the national partner of BirdLife International. SPNL’s mission is to conserve biodiversity, promote the revival of the ancient Hima system of community-based conservation, and foster harmony between people and nature.
About Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh:
Dr. Qumsiyeh is the founder and director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University. He has taught at major universities including Duke, Yale, and the University of Tennessee and is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in biodiversity, cultural preservation, and peaceful resistance.
