Seeds of Hope Trees for Tomorrow
Our donors made it possible! On March 21st and 22nd, 2008, over fifty students and faculty joined IBSAR to help set up AUB’s Native Trees Nursery at the University Farm (AREC). This was the official launching of the campaign Seeds of Hope – Trees for Tomorrow, organized on a Spring Equinox Mother’s Day, to celebrate Mother Earth. During the first afternoon of the workshop we discussed the importance of maintaining the diverse richness of Lebanon’s forests and woodlands by planting various native tree and shrub species in combinations that are similar to those present in the wild. We explain the potential role of communities and the importance to decentralize the source of seed material for future reforestation efforts. A project summary, planting manual, and composting leaflet were distributed to all participants. Furthermore, we spent an inspiring full moon evening lying on the lawn listening to the beautiful voice of singer May Nasr, who volunteered a solo guitar concert to connect us to our traditional Arabic songs. The next day we planted more than a thousand tree seeds and set up a shade tent to protect the growing seedlings from too much sun. We used recycled organic matter, simply referred to as compost, in our planting mix. With the help of graphic design students and their instructor, the participants produced banners commemorating the event and headed to Beirut. The campaign has been launched and the process has started. In three years we hope to plant 50,000 one-year-old trees from more than 20 native Lebanese tree and shrub species throughout towns and villages. These communities and their members will become the guardians of Lebanon’s source for native seeds of trees and shrubs as they mature to their seed bearing stage. “Nice bunch of people, nice to be out, nice to care!” commented one of our participants, Tara Mahfoud, AUB senior, sociology We will produce a biannual news update to keep you informed of our progress. Please spread the news! Encourage your colleagues, friends, and family to support this campaign. As a research center at one of the most recognized academies of the region, we are highly committed making this a successful campaign; and our aim is long-term sustainability for communities guarding the trees of tomorrow. Our formula is simple – 6 USD will cover the production cost and planting of a one -year-old tree; 150 USD will support the production of 25 trees; and 300 USD will support 50 trees. In addition, we also invite organizations, businesses and institutions to support activities associated with the campaign. We have deve- loped sponsorship packages developed for this purpose. Below is our list of donors, would like to take this opportunity to thank them and hope that AUB community and friends will help us keep this list growing. Sincerely,
Salma N. Talhouk, IBSAR Director