Hibr

Bringing Nature into the Classroom

With forests and woodlands covering 13% of the country (United Nations Environment Program, 2007), Lebanon is one of the greenest countries in the region. Yet, many young people, especially those living in the coastal cities, rarely have the opportunity to experience nature directly. However, a few organizations are attempting to change this, starting with the ‘grassroots’ of society: the youth.

The ‘Outdoor Education and Nature Center’, launched recently by the American Community School (ACS) in the Chouf, aims to create “environmentally aware global citizens,” says ACS’s Outdoor Coordinator, Andre Bechara. Meanwhile, through tree planting expeditions, the restoration of nature trails and other community-focused nature activities, the Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures (ibsar) at the American University of Beirut (AUB), aims to make nature part of everyone’s lifestyle. “Every village should know how to collect, how to plant [and] have their own [tree] nursery,” says Dr. Salma Talhouk, who manages ibsar’s outreach projects.

Announcing the opening of their Outdoor Education Center, the ACS said students needed “to re-connect with nature”. This is echoed by Dr. Talhouk. “There is a definite lack of connection with nature with today’s generation,” she says. The biggest challenge, in her opinion, is counteracting the “National Geographic sensationalism” of nature.

Both ACS and ibsar see the answer in making nature a ‘hands-on’ experience. At the Outdoor Education Center, students “will always sleep in tents so they can experience the real outdoors,” says Bechara. Not only will students have the chance to try out astronomy, archery, rappelling or snow-shoeing; they will also receive training in basic fire prevention, recycling and basic agriculture. The ACS website says students will even enjoy “experiential-based lessons that enhance students' abilities to understand the topics being presented.” Meanwhile, Dr. Talhouk believes that “nature is not only the wild birds; nature is the manoushé you eat; the za’atar you collect; the olives that we grow.”

While the Outdoor Education Center is currently a privilege only available to ACS students, ibsar has worked with over 20 schools and 50 municipalities around Lebanon to make nature conservation relevant to all people, wherever they live in the country. Ibsar carries out training in potting, planting and tree conservation all over Lebanon, often taking with them volunteers who have never ventured beyond their own region. Indeed, promoting social cohesion between young people from different socioeconomic backgrounds is one of the goals of ibsar’s ‘ConVerSation’ project. “Nature is a very good venue [in which] to have a conversation; [a place] for children to realize they have a common heritage,” states Dr. Talhouk.

So, whether taking part in an expedition to plant baby pines, junipers or one of the other 30-plus species of trees native to Lebanon, or receiving literature lessons in the shade of a deep-rooted Cedrus Libani, there are many ways for young people to “reconnect with nature”. Either way, as Dr. Talhouk notes, “in the long run, it’s the people who are going to decide whether we have forests or not.”