PROJECTS
2008
“Towards the Implementation of the Youth Declaration” project, sponsored by USAID’s OTI in Lebanon, involves youth leaders in reforming Lebanon’s environmental policies. This project builds on one of AFDC’s previous activities, The Youth Declaration on Environmental Policies, in which Lebanese youth leaders studied Lebanon’s current environmental policies and made recommendations for reform. Using the ideas and action plan that were developed in the youth declaration, participants will measure air pollution levels in four different Lebanese cities over a period of three and a half months, in cooperation with the chemistry department at the American University of Beirut (AUB). These results will then be used to create a map of personal exposure to air pollution in Lebanon. Youth leaders will simultaneously conduct complementary research to discern the causes of pollution in these four distinct areas. The participants will then use this information to conduct awareness and advocacy activities on their campuses, in their communities and vis-à-vis environmental leaders on the regional and national levels.
2008
As part of the “National Forest Restoration and Conservation Campaign” AFDC and in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment is implementing the "Emergency Reforestation Intervention" project, that is funded by the Italian Cooperation.
The projects outputs include:
· Restoration of 20 ha of burned forests in the North, South and Mount Lebanon
· Establishment of a Tree Nursery with a capacity of 200,000 seedlings of forest and agricultural species.
· Conduction of an assessment about the existing public and private tree nurseries in Lebanon.
2007
"Conserving and Restoring Forests in the South" in cooperation with WWF Italy and funded by the Italian Cooperation targeting Jezzine and Arkoub Regions. The project outputs include:
Restoration of 50 ha in Jezzine and Arkoub regions in the South
Training for 120 of AFDC fire fighters local units
Equipping 60 Civil Defense and Forest Guards Centers with monitoring equipment for forest fire.
Training for 180 Officials from Civil Defense and Forest Guards and Army on forest fire management, forest fires monitoring and restoration projects.
Update the national database and the Forest Fire Risk Map of Lebanon.
Revising the “State of Forest Report in Lebanon”
2007
"Andket Forest Protection Project" implemented with the financial support of the Netherlands Embassy targeting Andkit village in Akkar in North Lebanon. The project outputs are:
Training of 30 volunteers from AFDC local unit in Andkit village.
Provision of manual tools for volunteers to fight forest fires.
2007-2009
"Biodiversity Conservation through Eco-Tourism in the Mashreq Region: Ecotourism development: Economic viability for nature conservation in Lebanon" funded by SDC (Swiss Development Cooperation) through the RSCN (Royal Society for the Protection of Nature in Jordan). The project is implemented by the Consortium of NGOs including AFDC, Al Shouf Cedar Society (ACS), Arocha, and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL). The project major outputs are:
Establish an eco-lodge in Ammiq.
Develop a management plan for Kfarzabad wetland.
Renovate the physical infrastructure of the Mediterranean Forest Development and Conservation Center of Lebanon (AFDC).
2007-2009
"Biodiversity Conservation through Eco-Tourism in the Mashreq Region: Ecotourism development: Economic viability for nature conservation in Lebanon" funded by SDC (Swiss Development Cooperation) through the RSCN (Royal Society for the Protection of Nature in Jordan). The project is implemented by the Consortium of NGOs including AFDC, Al Shouf Cedar Society (ACS), Arocha, and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL). The project major outputs are:
Establish an eco-lodge in Ammiq.
Develop a management plan for Kfarzabad wetland.
Renovate the physical infrastructure of the Mediterranean Forest Development and Conservation Center of Lebanon (AFDC).
2007-2009
"A Sustainable Forest Landscape Restoration Plan for Mount Lebanon: Regaining the ecological integrity needed through supporting rural development initiatives" in cooperation with WWF targeting Ras El Maten, Qornayel and Ramlieh villages in Mount Lebanon. The project outputs are:
Initiate and operate a traditional grape press for the production of molasses in the village of Ramlieh
Establish a rural and forest center in Qornayel to host pine nuts cracking and natural honey production facilities to be run by the local unit in Qornayel
Create new, attractive eco-packaging materials and designs for all the above products, so as to facilitate their distribution, display, and sales
Set up of field pilot ecological reforestation in both sites in collaboration with the municipalities, local associations and NGOs
Build the capacities of local foresters and communities about reforestation
Provide forest fires control equipment and tools
Upgrade the skills of volunteers from both local units about forest fires fighting and prevention
Produce educational and awareness material and disseminate it among the local community
2006-2007
"Support the local community in Jurd-Aley area for sustainable use of forest resources" funded by the World Bank through the Council for Development and Reconstruction targeting eight villages in Jurd Mount Lebanon region. The project outputs are:
- Initiate volunteers units
- Establish fire breaks in forest sensitive areas
- Provide safety uniforms and manual tools for the volunteers to detect and fight forest fires
- Reforest 21 ha of lands in the 8 villages
- Train the volunteers on reforestation, forest fire fighting and eco and rural tourism
- Raise awareness of the local community in general about forestry issues.
2007-2009
" Hewarna Project " funded by EU and managed by OMSAR which aims at creating an environment for constructive dialogue and improving communication between Lebanese youths of different political and religious leanings by arranging dialogue series and equipping them with skills they need to do so successfully. The project major outputs are:
- Three large outdoor ropes and obstacle courses and seven indoor activities installed at MFDCL (the Mediterranean Forest Development and Conservation Center of Lebanon).
- One publicity brochure with 360 copies.
- One poster with 200 copies.
- Hewarna web page
- One “before workshop” survey
- One “after workshop” survey
- Post-workshop booklet
- 10 three-day workshops
2001-2007
"GLOBE Program" funded by Cisco Systems to increase the number of participating schools from Lebanon in the GLOBE Program. The major outputs of GLOBE 2007 are:
- Increase the number of GLOBE schools in Lebanon from 20 to 35.
- Provide GLBOE kits to all participating schools including measurement and chemical tools that can be used by students to study their environment.
- AFDC with the GLOBE Program in Bahrain is translating the GLOBE Teachers Guide to Arabic in order to disseminate it in all Arab Countries. This project funded by the GLOBE Headquarter in the US.
2001-2007
"Environmental Education and Awareness :Schools'' Project" funded by the Hanns Seidel Foundation since 2001. Through this project, AFDC is targeting around 300 private and public schools from allover Lebanon in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The project major outputs:
- More than 750 schoolteachers are trained on the integration of environmental education within the school curriculum by establishing schools eco-clubs.
- More than 15,000 students from different age groups have participated so far in the activities implemented through this project.
- Annual Festivals for Schools Eco-Clubs organized.
- Annual environmental Competition organized for schools involved
- Annual “Rally for Nature” organized at the Al-Shouf Cedar Reserve.
- In 2007, 120 high public schools will participate in the production of Lebanon Environment Problems Map that will be disseminated to other schools through the Ministry of Education.
2007
"Protection of Andkit Forest" funded by the Netherlands Embassy in Lebanon and implemented by AFDC local unit of volunteers in Andkit village in Akkar, North Lebanon. The major project outputs are:
- Train AFDC local unit on forest fire fighting and control
- Provide equipment for volunteers to fight forest fires
2007
"Restoration project in Aiha" funded by the World Bank through the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR). The project major outputs are:
- Reforestation of 25 ha of lands with pine and olive trees
- Establish local unit, train its members and equip them to be able to develop rural and eco-tourism activities in the area
- Support the local women to develop and sell their rural products as natural products
2007
"Wild Plants Center in Rmeish" funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC). The project outputs are:
- Set up a center to dry and package and sell aromatic and medicinal plants by locals in Rmeish village
- Build the capacities of AFDC volunteer unit in Rmeish about eco and rural development projects
2007
Restoration project in Mimess – Hasbaya" funded by the World Bank through the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR). The project major outputs are:
Establish a tree nursery for pine and olive trees.
Organize grazing in the villages in cooperation with the municipality
Develop rural development projects with women in the cluster
Raise awareness of the local community
Establish a youth center affiliated with the tree nursery and funded by ANERA, the youth center consists of:
Computer Lab
Conference room
2007
"Eco-tourism project in Batroun area" funded by the World Bank through the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) and in partnership with BALDATI organization and Nature Care Association (NCA). The project target 8 villages in Batroun and its major outputs are:
- Establish visitor center in Bchaale
- Equip centers for volunteers from the villages in Assia and Chabtine
- Rehabilitate infrastructure for eco-tourism activities such as initiation of hiking trails in the villages and provision of basic equipment for activities.
- Organize eco and rural tourism activities for groups and individuals.
2007
"Product a Common Political Declaration on the Environment" funded by the Lebanon Development Market Place (LDM). The project outputs are:
- Foster youth involvement in environmental policy making through dialogue among youth groups in different Lebanese political parties as a process to put on track a common vision and a political declaration on environment.
- Establish a network of correspondents representing different political youth groups is established.
- Produce a pamphlet about environmental policies and legislations is printed and disseminated to political parties, deputies, ministers and other government officials, NGOs and environmental and youth clubs at universities.
- A common political statement is declared and disseminated by the participating political youth groups.
2007
"Forest Centers in Almat and Dimt" funded by the US Embassy. The centers include lodging facilities as well as services to organize conferences and seminars. Through the centers, AFDC local units of volunteers will be able to develop and implement various projects with the local com
2002-2005
"Towards a Sustainable Mechanism for Fight Forest Fires in Lebanon" funded by the EU. The project aimed at setting a working mechanism to detect, prevent, fight and learning about forest fires risks and behavior through community involvement. The project major outputs were:
- 120 fire fighters were trained about the tools and techniques of forest fires fighting
- Mechanism of cooperation with the Lebanese Civil Defense, the Army and the Ministry of Agriculture was established
- A national database for forest fires was created
- Forest fire risk maps for Lebanon and the project sites were produced
- 20 ha were planted
- 150 schoolteachers trained
- A national media campaign was organized: billboards, posters and brochures were disseminated. A song for fires was produced in addition to a documentary for 45 minutes
- A training portfolio for schoolteachers produced and disseminated among 120 schools allover Lebanon
- Educational game (the Green Quest Game) was created for children from 10 years and above. Also, an activity booklet for students from 6 years and above was produced (The Green Trails Book)
2001-2003
"SMAP Project: Conservation and Management of Biodiversity Hotspots in the Mediterranean " funded by the European Commission through WWF. The project aimed at supporting AFDC Forest Fire Fighting Program, supporting Beekeepers in Mount Lebanon and supporting to Al-Shouf Cedar Reserve. The project outputs were:
- Grazing control around the Reserve, 100 fire fighters were trained and procurement of equipment for them to be able to interfere in forest fire management.
- Awareness and education activities were conducted with schools and a training manual to study land cover was produced and disseminated
- The Beekeepers Cooperative “Aassal” was established. Equipment for natural honey packaging and labeling provided and installed at AFDC center and available for beekeepers
- 40 beekeepers were extensively trained on honey production
- Part time staff in the Reserve was recruited
- Reserve management team was trained
- Fire truck was provided to the Reserve Team
- Eco-tourism facilities (tents) were provided to the Reserve
- A visitor’s center was established at Bmohray entrance
- A grazing plan for the Reserve was developed
- Support provided to shepherds living around the Reserve
- Water network installed near the Reserve to be used by the shepherds