Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية

Partnership between @AUBNCC and @Sarelwa2et
Community-born & expert-supported movement tackling urgent environmental breakdown.

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

The Baalechmay solar water pumping system is officially running! What joy we felt seeing water spilling out of the pipe, powered only by the sun! Congratulations to the EA Cycle 2 local community team and all the stakeholders who made it happen!

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

A holiday message from us to you 💚

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

On Sunday, 60 students from Akkar el Atiqa helped plant 220 trees, as part of our efforts to revive the native "shouh" tree's endangered population (Cilician fir). A round of applause to Akkar el Atiqa and their proactive passion for the majestic “shouh"!

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

Preparations are underway for the reforestation activity happening next Sunday, November 19th! This would not be possible without the support of the Van Tienhoven Foundation.

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

The land in Baalechmay is ready for the solar water pumping system! Now, the concrete base and structure is being built for the 270 panels. This project will provide water security to the village despite Lebanon’s energy crisis.

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

After a dry summer, the risk of forest fires is high. The Btekhnay team is preparing equipment. They will be able to intervene independently in the case of a small-scale forest fire in their pine tree forest, and provide the Civil Defense with water in case of a larger fire.

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

@aubncc

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

The community of Al Bouaida in South Lebanon has been tirelessly working to create a reed bed system that requires no energy and minimal maintenance to process wastewater — a model solution for our financially and politically troubled country. #environment #lebanon

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

Progress is underway in Barja, where the local community team is designing a green space for inhabitants to enjoy and catch a break from pollution. Last week, the Barja team met up with the supplier for the stone wall and worked on finalizing the design for the softscape.

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

The Bkerkasha local community team held a workshop explaining the importance of composting, how this simple daily practice can reduce 60% of the waste stream, and common mistakes and how to avoid them. They then distributed the locally manufactured bins. Congrats!

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

Work has started in Baalechmay! The land is being prepared for the installation of the solar water pumping system. This could not happen without the local community team’s extremely hard work, the constant support of the municipality, and the Japanese Embassy’s financial support.

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

Materials for wall construction have arrived to the site in Barja, where the community team is building an accessible park that will allow people to enjoy a green space. This is exciting as Lebanon is a country that does not usually integrate green spaces into urban planning.

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

Something’s cooking in the beautiful village of Bkerkasha, where the community team is diligently working on a village-wide composting project that could significantly reduce volumes of waste. Stay tuned! #lebanon #environment #compost #nature #waste #wastemanagement

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

School sessions are on! The Akkar el Atiqa community team is exchanging with students on the topic of forests and ecosystems. Young people are best positioned to build collective sentiment on the intrinsic value of the forest — they are our planet’s best defenders.

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

The bins are ready! A local maker in Bkerkasha has custom produced 110 compost bins for the village. Household composting will reduce 60% of the waste stream for participating households and provide organic fertilizer for gardens. #environment #compost #lebanon

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

On Saturday, agriculture engineer Nivine Nasrallah interviewed shepherds from Akkar el Atiqa who graze their herds daily through the Qammoua forest. They are bringing their deep knowledge to our community-based ecosystem management plan. #environment #lebanon #forest #shepherds

[Nature Conservation Center at AUB @aubncc]

We were delighted to host members of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and UNDP at our office today for the Fire Prevention workshop, which is part of the World Bank project aimed at promoting sustainable forest management to address forest fires in Lebanon.

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

The beauty of community-based initiatives is in coming together. This meeting in Akkar el Atiqa brought together the EA local team, the civil defense, and the forest guards to discuss best practices as we co-develop an ecosystem management plan. #environment #lebanon #akkar

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

The Btekhnay community team received their forest fire prevention equipment! With this equipment (which includes brush cutters, trimming scissors, shovels, chainsaws, and machetes) the trimming and clearing of flammable underbrush will start. #forestfire #lebanon #environment

[Environment Academy - الأكاديمية البيئية @EnvironmentAcad]

Closing ceremony in Rmaych with the local team, municipal representatives, and community members. Cleanings & trainings are finished, and the 20-page integrated forest fire management plan by EA and LRI has been handed off to the community! The Al Waraa forest is in good hands.