The Power of Planting Initiative was launched by AUB-IBSAR Nature Conservation Center for Sustainable Futures. The program aims to promote tree planting by involving rural communities and propagating tree species native to Lebanon.

The project is planned in three phases, beginning with the current Phase I entitled, ‘Seeds of Hope, Trees for Tomorrow’ (2007-2010) establishes nationwide Community Forest Field Banks (CFFBs) that aim to establish native trees and shrubs for the production of seeds that are accessible to local communities for future decentralized, small-scale, long-term reforestation. The target is to plant 50,000 trees from 20 native species in villages and towns by the end of 2010, designated as International Biodiversity Year by UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity (www.cbd.int).

Drawing on the ‘Noah’s Ark’ analogy, Salma Talhouk, IBSAR Director, likens towns and villages targeted by the project to sanctuaries that ensure the safekeeping of Lebanese native trees and shrubs from the flood of human destruction and impoverishment. In Phase II the program prioritizes on people by providing alternative livelihoods while actively engaging local communities in a nationwide campaign for small-scale native tree nurseries.

 Partnering with municipalities and village societies, IBSAR undertakes the dissemination of know-how for sustainable tree production, with a target of 200 community-operated and managed native tree nurseries throughout Lebanon.

 Planting in the village, as opposed to reforesting degraded hinterland, had a better chance of engaging local communities as active partners in biodiversity conservation. Opting for school yards, village square and road verges, native trees will not only green our villages, but just as importantly serves as a reminder of Lebanon’s natural heritage brought by IBSAR to their doorsteps.

Phase III is celebratory and long-term, the aim to establish and revive older traditions for annual Tree Planting Festivals (TPF). The festivals take place every November promoting rural activities, marketing agricultural and natural produce, foods and drinks as well as providing venues for exhibiting arts and crafts, organizing music festivals, vernacular poetry recital and traditional folkloric events that are rooted in Lebanese Mediterranean culture. The objective is to connect people with and preserve the cultural and natural heritage of Lebanon.

Through prioritizing equally on people and nature, IBSAR’s Power of Planting Initiative complements and bridges state initiatives for large-scale reforestation with that of biodiversity conservation. By physically anchoring biodiversity conservation in the Lebanese village, the project returns to Lebanese village communities’ custody of the landscape they managed prudently and knowingly over centuries.

It takes visionary philanthropists to recognize the pioneering conception and long-term impact of IBSAR’s Power of Planting Program. Sheikh Khaldoun Barakat, Chairman of Arab Re-insurance Company, is an exceptionally a visionary figure who was ready to adopt the program at its onslaught. Sheikh Barakat is not new to philanthropic projects, however supporting projects that aim to conserve biodiversity and protect the natural heritage, is another matter. The challenge of helping nature help itself, which is an aspect of IBSAR’s mission, is not only a matter of science but just as importantly it requires strategic planning, innovation and the collaboration of economists, agriculturists, anthropologists and landscape designers. Nature healing is a long-term process, the outcome hard to quantify and measure. It takes foresight and wisdom to support initiatives such as the Power of Planting. 

A reception was held at the AUB Development Office in honor of Sheikh Barakat, attended by Dr. Riad Baalbaki and Ms. Salma Oueida of the Development Office, Ms. Basma Barakat, who was instrumental in facilitating the donation, and Mr. Arbi Sarkissian from IBSAR, a co-founder of the program.

 Dr. Jala Makhzoumi presented the honorary certificate to Sheikh Khaldoun, expressing IBSAR’s gratitude. Responding, Sheikh Barakat voiced his commitment to recovery, equally for the wellbeing of the Lebanese people and their exceptional landscape.

The second half of the visit was held in the Chouf region. Fifteen villages in the vicinity of the Chouf Cedar Reserve were selected for beginning the Seeds of Hope tree planting activity. The US$25,000 donated by Sheikh Barakat will cover the production cost and planting of 3,000 thousand trees, 200 planted in each village in addition to the organization of a seed planting workshop and the production and dissemination of a seed planting manual.

The reception was held in the Mukhtara. Assembled in the public school hall were representatives of the Power of Planting stakeholders; Mr. Ghaleb Farhat, mayor of Niha Municipality and Vice President of the Higher Chouf Municipalities Union gave a welcome speech thanking Mr. Khaldoun Barakat for his generous donation, and to IBSAR for their commitment to beautify and to protect the natural beauty of Lebanon. Mr. Munir Mghabghab a member of the Chouf Reserve Administration expressed that the community tree planting program is considered important core activity of the Reserve, and his team is willing to help and participate in any way needed.

Mr. Roger Asheh, also from the Chouf Union of Municipalities, Mr. Charles Noujaim of the Chouf Nature Reserve, Mr. Khaled Slim IBSAR’s Field Coordinator, and local NGOs and community members were also present. There were words of welcome and commitment to the program, a response from Jala Makhzoumi, reaffirming IBSAR’s commitment, and Sheikh Barakat’s eloquent response. Commemorating launching of the ‘Seeds of Hope, Trees for Tomorrow’ phase of the program was the planting of a Judas tree, Cercis siliquastrum, by Sheikh Barakat and representatives of the local community.