Lead Partner: COOPERATIVA SOCIALE NATURALIA (Museum of Natural History of Salento – Calimera – LE)

Other partners: Municipality of Tyre (Lebanon), Tyre Coast Nature Reserve – TCNR (Lebanon), CTM – Cooperation in World Territories

Funding by: Apulia Region

Object of the initiative: Research and monitoring on the state of the environment and social agriculture in Lebanon with the introduction of innovative systems of biological control and contrast to invasive species (soil, flora and fauna). The aim of the initiative is to help protect, restore and promote the sustainable use and management of terrestrial ecosystems, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss in South Lebanon. Specifically, the initiative aims to integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local development planning and to undertake pilot actions to reduce the degradation of natural environments, halt the destruction of biodiversity and protect endangered species.

Activities:

A.1.1 – Mapping and participatory environmental monitoring of the protected area and the TCNR

Lebanese experts are equipped with the necessary skills and equipment to methodically and scientifically collect samples of fauna and flora in order to be able to detect important aspects of the state of the local habitat as a function of the interventions of natural revitalization of the soil and in favor of an agricultural activity and coastal use that are increasingly resilient and able to provide healthy and safe food products.

A.1.2 – Training in Italy and Tutoring of Italian Experts

A training plan for the local community consisting of a remote training part and a training visit to Italy of lebanese experts/stakeholders able to acquire the skills and tools to autonomously carry out training sessions for the local community and activities on site environmental monitoring. The trainings cover natural farming techniques, green maintenance, recognition and removal of invasive species, reactivation of the biodynamic balance and soil decontamination through nitrogen techniques and the reintroduction of native organisms and microorganisms.

A.2.1 – Pilot initiative for biological control and control of invasive species (soil, insects, flora)

The current crisis situation on the Blue Line, close to the city of Tyre, has created an emergency of displaced people living near the front (about 25,000 in the district of Tyre alone) who have fled their homes to be housed in the city’s public facilities (schools, offices…) until the tension is definitively resolved. This emergency has made it particularly necessary to strengthen the support program for vulnerable workers who will activate an environmental initiative to support local needs, and to mitigate the social and psychophysical consequences of the recent crisis on the temporary refugee community that at this time survives only thanks to the help of public bodies and local and international organizations.

This activity involves the involvement of the local community in the experiences of agriculture and biological control with the participation of vulnerable subjects including women, engaged in the activities of biological control / removal of invasive species, maintenance of green areas and small agriculture also in the hope of a future return to their land that will be decontaminated (from bombings and fires) and reactivated from a production uses.