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Lebanon
Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL)
Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) is the BirdLife Partner
Founded in: 1984Members: 135
Staff: 7
Address: Awad Bldg, 6th Floor, Abdel Aziz Street, P.O.Box: 11-5665, Beirut, Lebanon
Email: spnlorg@cyberia.net.lb
Web: http://www.spnl.org
Mission of the organisation
SPNL is an a-political organisation, working at the national level in a collaborative and transparent manner. SPNL bases its work on sound science and passionate commitment, which through transparent and democratic processes, leads to a well-informed public.
SPNL strives to conserve biodiversity for the provision of a better quality of life through sustaining sites, habitats, species and people.
Key Activities
- Produced three new video films (10 minutes each) and created six TV spots to promote the conservation of four protected IBAs (Arz Al Chouf, Horj Ehden, Aammiq swamps and Palm Islands Reserve) and one protected area (Tyre Reserve)
- Assists the Ministry of Environment in the preparation of the Ramsar Information sheets (RIS) for three Wetland Sites: Palm Islands, Tyre beach and Aammiq wetlands
- Assists the Ministry of Environment in the preparation of the list of Lebanon’s Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI)
- On the occasion of the Earth Day SPNL organised a field trip to Qammouha (forests of fir, Juniperus and oak trees) in north Lebanon at an altitude of 1850 m. 43 participated in of experts and university students in sensitising the local community through bird-watching and cleaning the area
- The BirdLife coordinator of SPNL met with the Head of the Lebanese Army to thank him for all he has done to enforce the law on hunting in Lebanon
- Organized several environmental awareness campaigns and conducted training courses on environmental education through the SPNL’s Environment Information Center (EIC)
- Produced over 50 press releases promoting the conservation of birds and giving news on BirdLife activities and meetings
- Participated in two television debates on hunting at Télé Lumière (July) and Télé Liban (September)
- Contributed technically and scientifically to the production of a poster for three IBAs in Lebanon (one poster for each)
- Contributed with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment drafting a new national law for hunting
- In cooperation with Green Line NGO, the SPNL prepared a manual for monitoring biodiversity (including birds) in the Protected Areas of Lebanon
- In cooperation with Green Line NGO, the SPNL conducted 3 workshops on monitoring birds in 3 IBAs
- The SPNL conducted field bird studies in 3 new Protected Areas (Tannourine, Yammouneh and Bentael)
- SPNL, in cooperation with NCSR (National Council for Scientific Research), developed lists of priority key bird species in 5 Protected Areas (Palm Islands, Horj Ehden, Arz Shouf, Aammiq Swamps and Tyre Beach Reserves)
- SPNL organized a bird watching campaign for migratory raptors and soaring birds on the east-west transect in Northern Lebanon
- SPNL coordinated its efforts with the LEF( Lebanese Environmental Forum) in order to update and enforce the law on hunting
- SPNL participated in the first Arabian Ornithological Conservation Conference held in Bharain following an invitation from H.H. Prince of Bahrain. It also included a visit to the Hawar Islands where breeding Socotra Cormorant and Sooty Falcon were recorded with sightings of other birds
- SPNL met with the Head of the Lebanese Army, General Michel Sleiman, to thank him once again for his support in enforcing the law on hunting, and for stopping the poaching on the bird population in Lebanon. The General showed his support nature and birds for a better future
- The EIC of SPNL launched a project called "Awareness Campaign for Four Protected Areas"
Recent Achievements
- Produced three TV programmes and three video films to promote the conservation of the following Protected Areas: Arz Al Chouf, Horj Ehden and Palm Islands Reserve
- With the assistance of Dr Ghassan Jaradi, advocated in parliament for the accession of Lebanon to both the Ramsar and CMS Conventions
- Organised several environmental awareness campaigns and conducted training courses on environmental education through the SPNL Environment Information Centre Campaigned to minimise the accidental catching of seabirds and sea turtles by fishermen
- Finalised a biodiversity study for the protection and management of wildlife reserves
- Produced three video films on IBAs and a conservation awareness film for television
- An action plan for habitats and species was adopted
- Organised an environmental course, through the Ministry of the Environment, for university students included conservation which issues related to birds and habitats