WHAT’S NEW – Events and Activities
Spring 2010 - B
USFS Lebanese Reforestation Study Tour The United States Forest Service (USFS) has been actively pursuing collaborations with Lebanon’s reforestation objectives through its International Programs department. USFS Coordinator of the MENA region, Ms. Jennifer Peterson and her associate, Mr. Drew Gower, invited two of Ibsar’s staff for a study tour in the US in May. Khaled Slim and Arbi Sarkissian were joined by four additional guests of the tour, two each from the Ministry of Environment’s National Reforestation Plan (NRF) and the Association of Forest Development and Conservation (AFDC). The tour was not only an opportunity for Ibsar’s POP specialists to observe tree nurseries and reforestation sites in the Western US, but also an opportunity of the three institutions to meet and discuss potential collaboration efforts here in Lebanon; something that Ibsar is highly looking forward to. The second phase of the collaborations between the four organizations will be the invitation of consultants and specialists from the US to Lebanon for a tour of current reforestation projects taking place.
Mother Earth Seed Planting Event at AREC - 2010 This spring marked Ibsar’s 3rd annual Mother Earth Seed Planting Event, held every Mother’s Day/Spring Equinox at AREC. Although there was limited participation and substantially lower than the last 2 years (namely due to AUB mid-terms), it was an incredibly productive day at the nursery. The volunteers participated in at least two planting events and have already gained experience about the POP program, its objectives and could even identify the kinds of native trees being produced and planted by Ibsar. They helped to weed seedlings in bags, transplanted seedlings into larger containers, and helped to clean and organize the nursery grounds for this season’s production. This was quite impressive given that the activities the night before ranged from a costume party, dancing, and even a bit of capoeira (a Brazilian martial art), and a late night bonfire sing-along and story-telling session. Ibsar thanks all the participants for making such a memorable event possible.
WHAT’S NEXT •
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As the new municipal administrations take office in June, Ibsar, with the help of the Ministry of Interiors & Municipalities, is preparing to solicit its program to get new and former planting partners on-board. After two seasons of brokering partnerships with local authorities (i.e. municipalities) and gaining experience on public relations, Ibsar is developing new guidelines and incentives for partnering with the selected municipalities. This is to ensure that the process of collecting, growing and planting seedlings sponsored by the donors is a fruitful one. Ibsar is also developing new transportation methods to ensure that seedlings arrive to the planting sites in a healthy state that will bolster survival rates in the field. The goal this season is to oversee that the trees are planted with quality care and with provisions for their follow-up met diligently by our planting partners (municipalities, local associations, residents and volunteers).
A New Era for BioKids: Nature ConVerSation Ibsar welcomes aboard a new project coordinator, Ms. Miriam Mattouk, and outreach field coordinator, Mr. Wassim Kays, to head a new era of biodiversity conservation for the youth. Ms. Mattouk, with her background in child psychology, is a perfect candidate for a new research project whose objective is to provide field activities and social cohesion exercises for various schools throughout Lebanon. Mr. Kays, with his extensive background in youth activities through ACS, will be developing nature-based art projects. The objective of Nature ConVerSation is to encourage students, who live in semi-closed sectarian communities to get to know the “other,” and possibly form lasting ties in each others’ communities within the format of environment-friendly activities that increase exposure to nature.