r3.0 Bioregional Open Dialogue 16: Hima Revival

Bioregioning is a relatively new practice that has deep roots in traditional ecological and cultural practices throughout the world. This month's r3.0 Bioregional Open Dialogue focuses on one such tradition that is being revitalized in alignment with the bioregional context. 

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) is reviving the ancient Arab Hima system, a community-based approach to conservation rooted in traditional knowledge and collective responsibility for natural resources. Revitalized since 2004, Hima—meaning protected land—balances biodiversity conservation with sustainable resource use, local livelihoods and cultural heritage. In Lebanon, it is now legally recognized as one of four categories of protected areas. Today, SPNL’s Hima network spans more than 60 sites, covering approximately 7% of the country and helping connect habitats, protected areas and migratory bird flyways.

Homat Al Hima (Guardians of the Hima) serve as local champions for conservation and sustainable development. Local communities, particularly youth, women and volunteers, are mobilized as active stewards of nature through training, bird monitoring, habitat restoration, environmental education and community initiatives. This strengthens environmental awareness, leadership and civic participation, ensuring that conservation is locally owned and sustained.

Building on the success of community-based conservation, SPNL expanded the Hima concept to address social cohesion and conflict prevention through the Hima for Peace initiative: Protecting nature from people and for people, nature, and biodiversity. Recognizing that competition over water, forests, grazing lands and other natural resources can fuel tensions, it encourages communities to manage shared resources equitably through dialogue, cooperation, science and inclusive local governance.

Together, these three pillars (Hima, Homat Al Hima and Hima for Peace) offer a model in which protecting nature, empowering people and building peace are mutually reinforcing goals, with potential for wider application across the Arab region and beyond.

This Bioregional Open Dialogue will feature the following speakers covering the diverse aspects of the Hima Revival: 

• Assad Serhal: History of Hima revival in Lebanon and recent global interest in Hima
• Rami Kadro: Luc Hoffman Hima Home for education, innovation and knowledge sharing
• Andre Bechara: Homat Al-Hima Program for developing the next generation of Hima Guardians
• Raghida Haddad: The bi-annual Al Hima Magazine

The session will take place on the r3.0 Zoom line: 

https://zoom.us/j/4785801785?pwd=RU50bUFWSG5wUnBBc21JMFUyaEhyUT09  
Meeting ID: 478 580 1785
Passcode: 902564