Mekse in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, was once the ‘bread basket’ of the Eastern Roman Empire. Now, mountains lack their natural tree cover and erosion is increasing. Many Syrian refugees have settled there. The Qab Elias Environmental Project in the Bekaa has been designed with the local residents. It provides a beautiful, shady place where children and adults can enjoy a picnic, play and learn about wildlife. The valley is on one of the world’s most important migratory bird flyways, so it is vital to have woodland where migrating birds can feed and roost.

Mekse Nature Park is being created on a three-hectare plot of land, made available by the Municipality of Mekse. Already, A Rocha Lebanon has planted 70% of the site with native trees and shrubs and is creating a pond, footpaths and a labyrinth (made from 200 lavender bushes), which will benefit both wildlife and visitors. As a result, wildlife is returning and much-needed open green spaces are serving the village of Mekse and its surrounding refugee communities. There are also plans for a community garden and beekeeping to help with sustainability and income generation.

The team are developing partnerships, both locally and regionally, to enable them to produce Arabic creation care resources for churches, but are very aware that Lebanon is in the midst of a political and economic crisis. ‘This is causing great hardship for many,’ says Colin Gibson, the National Director, ‘and we are very mindful of this as we engage communities in nature conservation.’

We also hope to produce some resources for churches on creation care in Arabic and we are currently trying to develop partnerships, both locally and regionally, to take this work forward.