Training Homat Al Hima from Ras El Metn and Hammana

Together we can protect the Upper Beirut River Valley

Training Homat Al Hima from Ras El Metn and Hammana

Promoting Traditional Land-use Practices in the Upper Beirut River Valley, Lebanon

CEPF Project

Rania Khalil- Project Manager

    • Dates: 23 and 24 July 2021
    • Place: Center MESD and Hima Center, Ras El Metn
    • Participants: Local youth from Hammana and Ras El Metn
    • Organized by: SPNL, CEPF Project team
    • With the collaboration of Al Matn Organization for Environment and Sustainable Development – MESD
    • Subjects: Forest management, Herpetofauna, Wild medicinal and edible plants, Bird identification and monitoring, Leadership and team work.
    • Along with interactive gaming, bird sketching, discussions and workshops.
    1. Sama Choucair:

My name is Sama, and I’m studying to become a veterinary doctor, nature, animals, wildlife and preserving them all is my passion.

This workshop opened up my eyes to so many different things that surround us on a daily basis. It helped me understand the beautiful connections that happen between every living organism included in an ecosystem. I understand now the importance of bio diversity and the importance of working together to preserve the little biodiversity and natural ecosystems that we have left.

I was incredibly surprised when we started to learn about the plant diversity in Lebanon, the history of the pine trees was chocking, the different types of classifications for plants and trees was extremely helpful and interesting to know, I’m glad I know more about the plants and lands that I see every day around me, it connected me in a whole different way to my surroundings.

Learning about the effort that is being put in to maintain multiple projects that connect to bird migration and monitoring the population in Lebanon was incredible, it made me really happy to see that there is hope for a better more educated future when it came to the importance of perseverating the different types of birds that are migrating through Lebanon.

Learning about the past and present of different types of animals that are native to Lebanon was my favorite part, since a lot of important notes where made that would help the obscene animal situation in Lebanon, whether the situation is being too many dogs on the road or not enough striped hyenas in the woods.

This workshop was truly my favorite because of the important content, every side and every action is now influenced by this workshop to the point where I pick an apple differently because I know now that the way you pick an apple affects the life of the tree. I realized that I genuinely did not know anything about the country that I live in, and I’m glad that now I know so much more.

    1. Mariam Raad:

I am Mariam Raad:

    • From Chbaniyeh and Hammana 
    • BS in forensic science and an MBA in supply chain management 
    • I am a scout leader, hiking, and nature lover, adventure seeker.
    • In fact, my curiosity to know more about the hidden benefits of plants and natural phenomena allowed me to participate in this training.

In this training, I discovered:

    • The importance of every element and resource present in nature (animals, plants, and water…)
    • The importance of sustainability in preserving the natural life cycle
    • I have acquired knowledge about biodiversity, especially one essential fact: why we shouldn’t change or introduce a new species (plant or animal) that is not present in a specific environment. 
    • Indeed, this training didn’t only allow us to learn about the importance of our surrounding biodiversity and its use but also about the sustainable use of the natural resources we have 

In addition, SPNL team Rania Khalil and Elie El Haddad through their dynamic and interactive approaches allowed us to express ourselves by sharing our knowledge with interactive competitive fun games, team competitions, and questions.

Their sense of humor and approach allowed us to meet and form new friends

Last but not least, from this training I learned but also had some special memories. I look forward to similar training.