For nearly four decades, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) has been at the forefront of conservation efforts in Lebanon. Now, as 2025 approaches, SPNL is setting its sights on an ambitious vision: to expand its impact through the revival of the Hima system, ensuring harmony between people and nature while fostering sustainable development.
A Legacy of Conservation and a Bold Future
Partnering with BirdLife International, SPNL operates from its headquarters in Keyfoun, Mount Lebanon, with a dedicated team of 43 employees spread across the country. Their mission? To tackle critical environmental challenges such as pollution, habitat degradation, overfishing, water scarcity, and the pressures of rapid urbanization while advancing their 2025 goals:
- Establish Lebanon’s First Natural Park: This milestone project will connect fragmented ecosystems and communities through a network of Himas, promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
- Expand the Hima Network: By creating new Himas, SPNL aims to establish ecological corridors and buffer zones across Lebanon, with potential replications throughout the Middle East.
- Create a Biodiversity Hub: The Luc Hoffmann Hima Home will be transformed into a green building, serving as an awareness hub and reducing SPNL’s environmental footprint.
Empowering Communities and Nature
SPNL’s vision for 2025 builds on its legacy of integrating conservation with community development. Key initiatives include:
- Hima Guardians: Training and empowering over 166 young community members to lead conservation efforts and inspire sustainable practices.
- Women’s Empowerment: Expanding programs like Souk Hima to support more women in rural areas by linking their livelihoods to conservation and cultural heritage.
- Eco-tourism Growth: Enhancing Hima trails like Droub el Hima, which drew over 6,700 visitors this year, to generate income while showcasing Lebanon’s natural and cultural treasures.
- Environmental Education: Scaling up the School with No Walls (SNOW) program to educate more children and prepare future guardians of Lebanon’s natural heritage.
Success Stories Driving the Vision
SPNL’s achievements in 2024 set the stage for its 2025 goals:
- Hima Hammana: A model for sustainable eco-tourism, with local residents managing conservation activities and offering guest accommodations.
- Hima Anjar & Kfarzabad: The restoration of critical wetland habitats has supported endangered bird species and created alternative incomes for locals.
- Reforestation Efforts: Planting 2,500 fruit trees in Anjar and Hammana has revitalized ecosystems and benefited wildlife and local farmers alike.
A Global Example of Sustainability
SPNL’s work continues to gain international recognition, including accolades such as the AEON Midori Prize in 2018 and the inclusion of Himas in the 2024 UNDP-protected areas map. These honors underscore the global significance of SPNL’s efforts and its role as a leader in conservation.
Join the Vision for 2025
With its innovative blend of traditional wisdom and modern science, SPNL’s 2025 vision is not just about conservation—it’s about building a sustainable future where communities and nature thrive together.
