Grow Forests, Change Lives by the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative (LRI)
LRI is committed to expand, manage and protect Lebanon’s forests and landscapes through a community-based approach. We work on building resilience to environmental threats, increasing environmental awareness, advocating for forest conservation, and advancing research in the forestry field.
Description
The Lebanon Reforestation Initiative’s vision is to have communities in Lebanon sustainably managing their forests & landscapes for the benefit of the environment and their wellbeing.
Lebanon is expected to face an increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation because of climate change; these shifts are expected to inflict notable costs on the Lebanese economy by, among others, modifying the availability and quality of freely available ecosystem services such as clean air and water. In addition, Lebanese communities have been impoverished throughout the years due to various stresses; the least fortunate households are known to suffer the most from an increased probability and intensity of natural hazards such as floods, droughts and wildfires.
Specifically, we work towards achieving the following objectives:
• Support municipalities and local community members to develop and implement forest management plans in their village.
• Bring diverse communities together and support them to advocate for improved forest management policies.
• Encourage the private sector in adopting mid and long-term CSR strategies aimed at conserving and expanding Lebanon's Forests.
• Provide technical assistance to relevant local stakeholders.
To achieve these objectives, we implement a number of programs including: Integrated landscape management; climate change resilience; environmental education, awareness and capacity development; environmental advocacy & lobbying; and research & development. With a community-based approach, each program has sub-programs and specific projects.
Did the Sendai Framework change or contribute to changes in your activities/organization? If so, how?
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction promoted a shift from managing disasters to managing risks. Our work is aligned with this shift as we contribute with a community-based approach to building resilience to environmental threats. Furthermore, the Sendai Framework stated that many disasters are exacerbated by climate change, associated to natural events that are increasing in frequency and intensity. Communities need to expand, manage and protect Lebanon’s forests and landscapes as they can reduce the effects of climate change and enable progress towards sustainable development.
What led you to make this commitment/initiative?
What was your position before making this Voluntary Commitment / prior to the Sendai Framework?
We are motivated to improve the management of Lebanon’s landscapes, while building the capacities of the local communities to preserve their surrounding ecosystems, address the ecological challenges faced in their villages, and lead to prosperous and sustainable livelihoods.
LRI seeks to achieve community-based landscape restoration and management through the introduction of innovative environmental techniques and new economic opportunities through forestry that will further boost rural development and encourage youth to stay in their towns.
Deliverables and Progress report
Deliverables
Deliverables are the end-products of the initiative/commitment, which can include issuance of publications or knowledge products, outcomes of workshops, training programs, videos, links, photographs, etc.
LRI implements a number of programs including: Integrated landscape management; climate change resilience; environmental education, awareness and capacity development; environmental advocacy & lobbying; and research & development.
LRI has been executing several projects. More details in previous and ongoing projects can be found in the link below.
LRI produces knowledge products including guidelines, manuals, assessment reports, etc.
For more information, please kindly see the link below.
Porgress report
LRI has completed during the past 6 months the following:
- one advocacy project on forest fire prevention in Lebanon involving local advocates in more than 50 municipalities.
- Planting more than 47,000 seedlings during the past season despite the COVID19 imposed challenges
-Supporting livelihoods of more than 3,000 families through forestry-related seasonal work.
- Raising awareness through online awareness sessions for school students and for the lebanese red cross youth centers
-Launching the Fire Patrol phone application to help in fire detection and early warning on forest fires
LRI planted in the last 6 month 47,452 seedlings, reaching a total of 1,313,813 seedlings planted so far across different sites on the forest connectivity corridor. Planting, forest management and fire prevention activities reached more than 150 communities, supporting 3,000 families with paid work (reaching a total of 12,000 families supported so far) and a total of 3,057.29 Ha of natural land managed through reducing land degradation, reforestation, agroforestry or sustainable forest management.
LRI produced during these 6 months guidelines for riparian restoration and is working on identifying and improving the habitat for wildlife in three key areas of Lebanon.
Organizations and focal points
Implementing Organization(s)
Focal points
Partners
