Mt. Hermon Management Plan

The proposed Action seeks to address the important socio-economic challenges that jeopardise conservation and sustainable development in Lebanon to the greatest possible extent, in line with the Call’s objectives and priorities through the following overall objectives:

1. Enhancing the management and governance of sites of ecological importance in southern Lebanon
2.  Creation of new Protected Areas and OECMs for broader landscape conservation in southern Lebanon.

It focuses on the following specific objectives:

1. Linked to the Overall objective 1 1.1) Design and implement rigorous, regular and consistent monitoring and evaluation schemes for key biodiversity (endangered species/ecosystems) and pressures; 1.2) Ensure effective, equitable site management, including appropriate management plans/guidelines for the sites; 1.3) Abate the main pressures on key biodiversity; and 1.4) Enhance sites' regulation enforcement.
2. Linked to the Overall objective 2: 2.1) Identify and assess suitable new PAs or OECMs; 2.2) Ensure sound management plans/guidelines for the new sites; and 2.3) Improve landscape connectivity among existing and new PAs/OECMs.

The project activities will be implemented mainly in 10 locations in the Southern part of Lebanon:  

Shouf Biosphere Reserve (Shouf and West Bekaa), Caza of Jezzine, Mount Hermon, Tyre Coast Nature Reserve, and villages in Metn.   

 The lead manager of the project is Al-Shouf Cedar Society in partnership with: ADR (Association for the Development of Rural Capacities); ACE (Association for Community and Environment), and SPNL (The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon). It is supported by the local authorities, and local communities, in addition to the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture.