Between 23 July 2024 and 23 August 2025, SPNL’s Nature Conservation Department, led by Bassima Khatib, demonstrated once again the breadth and depth of its work in protecting Lebanon’s biodiversity. From wetlands restoration to tackling river pollution, from Hima governance to renewable energy concept notes, Bassima’s leadership kept multiple conservation initiatives moving forward, bridging science, policy, and community engagement.
Strengthening Climate Resilience through Muruna
The Muruna and Muruna+ projects continued to make progress this month despite contractual delays with IUCN. Bassima attended several Zoom meetings, reviewed consultant comments on Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and prepared for the upcoming IUCN mission to Lebanon at the end of August. Muruna+ also advanced with training evaluations and meetings, ensuring that both the water security and women’s empowerment dimensions remain central.
Wetlands, Himas, and Mentorship
Under ProZHUM, Bassima visited a new municipality to ensure its endorsement and involvement in the project, while also initiating a mentorship program with Kon Fares, designed to strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations in wetland conservation.
She also coordinated with the BirdLife team on the Illegal Killing of Birds (IKBs) project, reviewing progress and ensuring alignment with the APU team’s field implementation.
BioConnect: Linking Science and Community
The BioConnect project remains a cornerstone of SPNL’s efforts to connect biodiversity corridors and Hima communities. Bassima prepared the Quarterly 14 technical and financial reports, collated invoices and proof of payments, and oversaw the production of a short video to highlight achievements.
She also coordinated a Hima Management Plan training delivered by Elie Haddad, followed up on delayed EU approvals, and monitored the need for project extensions. In addition, Bassima led follow-ups for signage development on the “Darb Talle” trail in Baysour, reinforcing SPNL’s commitment to eco-tourism and public awareness.
Tackling River Pollution: DIMFE and the Litani Basin
Bassima dedicated significant attention to the DIMFE project, conducting field visits to West Bekaa municipalities to investigate pollution from dairy industries. She met with Bassam Sabbag at the Ministry of Environment, who facilitated connections with the Ministry of Industry, and obtained industry maps from Bilal at LRA. While the data was outdated (2019), efforts are underway to secure updated files for evidence-based action.
Building Lebanon’s First Natural Park
Under the Swiss-funded SDC initiative, Bassima led internal meetings on the development of the Natural Park charter in line with Ministry of Environment feedback. She followed up with Hussein and Chadi on the biodiversity report for the proposed Upper Beirut River Valley Natural Park, a landmark project for Lebanon.
Renewable Energy, Wetlands, and Land Degradation
At the policy level, Bassima contributed to refining concept notes (CNs) on renewable energy and biodiversity with ESCWA. Her work included adjustments to proposals on wind farms and migratory species (MSBs), budgeting, and technical specifications. She also provided inputs for a wetlands CN.
In preparation for the ESCWA Conference on Land Degradation (17–18 September 2025), Bassima led preparations for a pitch presentation to fundraise for SPNL’s developed concept notes.
Outreach and Team Management
Bassima oversaw the Ninth Travelling Exhibition in Souk Ghareb (25 July 2025), coordinating with the EU and project partners to ensure their participation. She also developed an Excel file mapping staff salaries across projects, highlighting potential risks for team sustainability.
Through her coordination, SPNL remains at the forefront of conservation in Lebanon—balancing technical precision, community partnerships, and policy engagement to safeguard nature for future generations.
