Sustainable Agriculture in Qob Elias
Participate in Sustainable Agriculture
Reconnecting to Nature's Cycles!
The way we eat impacts both us and our environment: We pollute the ground in order to produce food in large quantities, we package our food with disposable and harmful single use plastic, we transport it over long distances… and finally dump on average almost half of it!
This has several negative impacts on our health, on nature and generally the environment. With the growing distance between food producers and consumers, we have totally lost contact with nature and how it feeds us, for the worst. While eating remains one of the basic needs, a majority of children do not know the origin of the food they have in their plates everyday.
We offer a field trip to a farm that tries as much as possible to reconnect us to nature's cycles, while focusing on the importance of the link between producers and consumers, locally. Students and participants will walk around and touch upon a number of topics related to food in an engaging tour. They will then get to do hands-on activities where they will actually contribute to the farm's functioning, and take with them some of their works result (seedlings, composting pot, seeds... depending on the activity), in order to go ahead and contribute to a greener Lebanon from home.
The way we eat impacts both us and our environment: We pollute the ground in order to produce food in large quantities, we package our food with disposable and harmful single use plastic, we transport it over long distances… and finally dump on average almost half of it!
This has several negative impacts on our health, on nature and generally the environment. With the growing distance between food producers and consumers, we have totally lost contact with nature and how it feeds us, for the worst. While eating remains one of the basic needs, a majority of children do not know the origin of the food they have in their plates everyday.
We offer a field trip to a farm that tries as much as possible to reconnect us to nature's cycles, while focusing on the importance of the link between producers and consumers, locally. Students and participants will walk around and touch upon a number of topics related to food in an engaging tour. They will then get to do hands-on activities where they will actually contribute to the farm's functioning, and take with them some of their works result (seedlings, composting pot, seeds... depending on the activity), in order to go ahead and contribute to a greener Lebanon from home.
Details:
- Location: Qob Elias, in the Bekaa, just before Chtaura when coming from Beirut.
- Travel time: 40mins from Hazmieh
- Age: All. We adapt the language and the difficulty of the activities
- No. of participants: Min 10 and max 50
- Note: Toilets are available onsite
Topics:
- Permaculture, including companion planting
- Soil management: Accompany nature's cycles
- Basic soil biology: How to enrich the soil, mulching
- Worms composting, spontaneous composting
- Local and seasonal food production
Hands on Activities:
Participants will perform two out of the following activities (depending both on availability and their choice):
Participants will perform two out of the following activities (depending both on availability and their choice):
Activity 1:
Planting - seed starting.
We will need to manipulate soil and plant seeds.
Planting - seed starting.
We will need to manipulate soil and plant seeds.
Activity 2:
Fruit harvesting
Depending on the season, we might harvest fruits.
Fruit harvesting
Depending on the season, we might harvest fruits.
Activity 3:
Composting
Cleaning (extracting non-biodegradable waste) & Screening
Composting
Cleaning (extracting non-biodegradable waste) & Screening
Activity 4:
Basic farm routing
- Feeding chicken
- Picking eggs
- Weeding
Basic farm routing
- Feeding chicken
- Picking eggs
- Weeding
Activity 5:
Make fermented food liquid - Kombucha
Make fermented food liquid - Kombucha
Alternative Walking Tour in Beirut
The 4-hour walking tour is a fascinating journey from East to West Beirut, un-layering 4 different neighborhoods. It recounts stories of various themes from the civil war, July 2006 war, gentrification, political-socio-economic developments, graffiti, among others. In doing so, the tour explores the depth of both Beirut’s past and present. The tour stops at various alternative and authentic spots for refreshments and snacks.
The students will enjoy team-building games spread all along the tour.
The students will enjoy team-building games spread all along the tour.
Details:
- Location: Loop in Gemmayze (Start: Top of St. Nicolas Staircase).
- Duration: 4h
- Age: Grade 6 and above (Complexity will be adjusted to the age)
- No. of participants: Min 10 and max 30, higher number are possible by the division in several itineraries
- Price: 20'000LL/student.
- Remarks: Fruits are included. Students are advised to bring their refillable water bottles.
Topics:
- Urban planning and the importance of public space.
- Citizens' duties and rights towards the city
- Public libraries and parks discovery
- History of Beirut: Ottomans, French, Modern times
- Street art
Discovery of an old Beiruti House and Public Space
Once upon a time an old palace in Zoqaq El Blatt, Mansion is now a community managed co-working space, with a lot of room left to spontaneity and non-commercial aspects.
Besides promoting community life, Mansion promotes as well circularity: Reused materials, urban nature, Recycling, visitors can see an organization that minimizes waste.... Besides a beautiful testimony of Beirut's wonderful architectural heritage.
Students do a tour, followed by an upcycling activity and, depending on their age, an environmental audit of the building.
Besides promoting community life, Mansion promotes as well circularity: Reused materials, urban nature, Recycling, visitors can see an organization that minimizes waste.... Besides a beautiful testimony of Beirut's wonderful architectural heritage.
Students do a tour, followed by an upcycling activity and, depending on their age, an environmental audit of the building.
Details
- Location: Mansion in Zoqaq El Blat
- Age: all
- No. of participants: Min 10 and max 30. They will be divided in 2 groups.
- Price: 20'000LL/student, including a snack from a local traditional Armenian man'oushe and water.
Topics:
- Urban planning
- Beirut urban history
- The concepts of renovation and rehabilitation
- Auditing a building
- Upcycling
Alternative Learning Tour in Tyre/Sour
The tour will take you through the ancient history timeline all the way up to modern events. We will explore the alternative parts but also the enchanting roman cities moving from east to west and from one coast to the other. The tour will uncover hidden gems of Tyre while exploring cultural and socio-economic issues, art, graffiti and everything interesting in between.
The students will enjoy team-building games spread all along the tour. After lunch, students will go to the countryside of Tyre, they will have the chance to see and interact with horses.
The students will enjoy team-building games spread all along the tour. After lunch, students will go to the countryside of Tyre, they will have the chance to see and interact with horses.
Details
- Location: Tyre
- Duration: 6h, including lunch, excluding transportation
- Age: 13y old/Grade 8 and above
- No. of participants: No. of participants: Min 10 and max 70
- Price: 45'000LL/student including lunch.
Topics:
- Urban planning & importance of public space
- Phoenicians history & ruins
- Aqueducts & water managements
- Theatre history
- Current contemporary art
- Interaction with animals
A Green Tour through Beirut
Social and environmental justice through a walk in the city!
Students will get to see Beirut through completely different eyes. They will see public spaces, they will witness the existence of forgotten water fountains, they will notice public transportation. They will meet some of the players that make the city and its living heritage: From Moune to various craftsmanship.
Details:
- Location: Horsh Beirut - Furn El Chebbek - Badaro
- Duration: 2.30h
- Age: Grade 6 and above (Complexity will be adjusted to the age)
- No. of participants: Min 10 and max 30
- Price: 20'000LL/student
- Remarks: Fruits are included. Students are advised to bring their refillable water bottles
Topics:
- Humane urban planning
- Composting
- Separation of Garbage
- Enhanced Sustainable Consuming
- Green Spaces in Beirut
- Green Beirut Heritage
- What is Sustainability
- Street Auditing (Optional)
Heritage and Team Building in Rechmaya
Rechmaya is a historical town on the Lebanese mountains above Beirut. It gathers a mix of architecture, history and natural sites, creating a platform for discussion and development of ideas between human-nature cohabitations.
Eedama team developed a day full of historical discussions, nature and heritage discovery, as well as team-bonding activities and debates in nature.
Eedama team developed a day full of historical discussions, nature and heritage discovery, as well as team-bonding activities and debates in nature.
Details:
- Location: Rechmaya
- Duration: 6h including lunch
- Age: All (Complexity will be adjusted to the age)
- No. of participants: Min 10 and max 70
- Price: 45'000LL/student
- Remarks: Lunch and drinks included. Students are advised to bring their refillable water bottles.
Topics:
- Lebanese historical architecture
- Heritage discovery
- History through live stories
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
- Trust
- Creative Thinking
Forest Garden in Samen Eco Gardens
Discover a Jungle in the City!
A collaboration between Samen Eco Gardens & Jibal-Eedama
Sustainable Nature Management Inside the City
With 80% of Lebanon’s population residing in urban areas, one tends to forget that more than most of the earth's surface is not built. Unfortunately, it does not mean that it is not impacted by human activity! Man actually impacts every square meter of the planet's surface, most often negatively.
There are, however, ways that allow nature to develop in harmony with the city. The Samen Eco Gardens in Fanar are a living example of this possible harmony. As a botanical forest garden, they showcase a mix of trees, medium and smaller plants, various animals, and built structures such as animal dens and guesthouses. The energy of the sun is used in various ways, rainwater is collected, roofs are greened with plants, and various methods of composting are applied.
We at Eedama offer an engaging and active walk through the Samen Eco Gardens to introduce the participants to the various technologies used and show them how different spaces are used and organised. During the walk, participants will be guided to take an active role in contributing to the existing harmony of the place.
Sustainable Nature Management Inside the City
With 80% of Lebanon’s population residing in urban areas, one tends to forget that more than most of the earth's surface is not built. Unfortunately, it does not mean that it is not impacted by human activity! Man actually impacts every square meter of the planet's surface, most often negatively.
There are, however, ways that allow nature to develop in harmony with the city. The Samen Eco Gardens in Fanar are a living example of this possible harmony. As a botanical forest garden, they showcase a mix of trees, medium and smaller plants, various animals, and built structures such as animal dens and guesthouses. The energy of the sun is used in various ways, rainwater is collected, roofs are greened with plants, and various methods of composting are applied.
We at Eedama offer an engaging and active walk through the Samen Eco Gardens to introduce the participants to the various technologies used and show them how different spaces are used and organised. During the walk, participants will be guided to take an active role in contributing to the existing harmony of the place.
Details:
- Location: Fanar, 30 min travel time from Beirut
- Age: All ages, including teens and adults.
- No. of participants: Minimum 10, maximum 30 (one class)
- Note: Visits: Tuesdays and Fridays. Two groups possible in a day (9-11.30 and 12-2.30)
- Since there are no public toilets on site, it is recommended to plan for a bus with toilets on board.
Topics:
- Living Green Roofs
- Solar energy & it's uses
- Gardening experience
- Different potting mixtures
- Permaculture & the multidimensional use of space
- Worm Composting
- Rainwater Collection
Hands on Activities:
Gardening Experience:
- What to plant and where?
- Different potting mixtures
- Select a plant species, prepare the soil and plant into a pot to take home.
For the youngest:
- A memory game about companion planting (one of the tools of permaculture)
Gardening Experience:
- What to plant and where?
- Different potting mixtures
- Select a plant species, prepare the soil and plant into a pot to take home.
For the youngest:
- A memory game about companion planting (one of the tools of permaculture)
Follow-up:
We also offer follow-up tours and activities. For example, participants will be asked to take care of the plant they took home, to document its growth on the worksheet they were given, and share their experience during the follow-up tour and activity. The follow-up tour and activity will build on the knowledge and experience of the introductory tour and will delve deeper into the world of permaculture.
We also offer follow-up tours and activities. For example, participants will be asked to take care of the plant they took home, to document its growth on the worksheet they were given, and share their experience during the follow-up tour and activity. The follow-up tour and activity will build on the knowledge and experience of the introductory tour and will delve deeper into the world of permaculture.
Holistic Permaculture in Les Racines du Ciel
Experience permaculture living
A collaboration between Les Racines Du Ciel & Jibal-Eedama
The Roots of the Sky!
Join us in an adventure to the organic farm, “Les Racines du Ciel,” (the roots of the sky), located on a cliff side in the Nahr Ibrahim valley above the city of Jbeil. To welcome you there will be Raed, Joanna and their baby living there all year long. The land consists of both vegetation and animal farming. There grows an apple tree orchard with vegetables, berries and they raise animals like chicken, goose and bees between the trees. After four years they have been slowly creating an equilibrium between trees, plants and animals.
“We consider our attempt at harmony with nature as a long-term challenge, which involves not only a crop change but also a change of perception of the world. It is an endless task aiming at getting closer every day to a little more of what is called permaculture.”
For the children, it is a unique experience to get closer to nature and to understand how consumption can make a positive impact on the future.
Participants will leave with a pot to harvest from.
The Roots of the Sky!
Join us in an adventure to the organic farm, “Les Racines du Ciel,” (the roots of the sky), located on a cliff side in the Nahr Ibrahim valley above the city of Jbeil. To welcome you there will be Raed, Joanna and their baby living there all year long. The land consists of both vegetation and animal farming. There grows an apple tree orchard with vegetables, berries and they raise animals like chicken, goose and bees between the trees. After four years they have been slowly creating an equilibrium between trees, plants and animals.
“We consider our attempt at harmony with nature as a long-term challenge, which involves not only a crop change but also a change of perception of the world. It is an endless task aiming at getting closer every day to a little more of what is called permaculture.”
For the children, it is a unique experience to get closer to nature and to understand how consumption can make a positive impact on the future.
Participants will leave with a pot to harvest from.
Details:
- Location: Lassa, Nahar Ibrahim Valley, 1 hr travel time from Beirut
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours
- Age: 6 -12 years
- Prices: 15,000/child + 10,000 for the lunch
- No. of Participants: Minimum 10, maximum 30 (one class)
- Note: Dry toilets are available on site. An organic picnic with products of the farm (seasonal fruit and vegetables and apple juice) can be offered on demand.
Topics:
- Recognizing trees & bunches
- Outdoor drawing
- Sustainable planting
- Permaculture
- Composting & soil improvement
Recycling Tour in Bikfaya
Tour with us to learn all about recycling!
As the waste crisis is becoming more and more prominent in our everyday lives, people have become motivated to seek solutions.
Lebanon is housing various sorting facilities, one of which lies in the mountains of Bikfaya. BiClean is a sorting facility that enforces the 3Rs in the most practical methods ever seen! Through a tour of their facility students can directly join the sorting process and are shown how the material is reused in creative ways.
Participants will also be introduced to the sorting facilities' collaboration with the municipality and the community to tackle the waste crisis. Afterwards, participants will visit a compound near the sorting facility built in an eco-friendly way and be introduced to the green methods of building and community recycling.
Overall the trip will be an informative and a hands-on fun experience tackling environmental advocacy, waste resolution and community involvement.
Lebanon is housing various sorting facilities, one of which lies in the mountains of Bikfaya. BiClean is a sorting facility that enforces the 3Rs in the most practical methods ever seen! Through a tour of their facility students can directly join the sorting process and are shown how the material is reused in creative ways.
Participants will also be introduced to the sorting facilities' collaboration with the municipality and the community to tackle the waste crisis. Afterwards, participants will visit a compound near the sorting facility built in an eco-friendly way and be introduced to the green methods of building and community recycling.
Overall the trip will be an informative and a hands-on fun experience tackling environmental advocacy, waste resolution and community involvement.
Details
- Location: Bikfaya, 1 hour travel time from Beirut
- Age groups: 10-16 years
- Languages available: English, French, Arabic
- No. of participants: Minimum 10, maximum 30 (one class)
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours
- Price: 10’000LL/child for the activities + 10’000LL for lunch (sandwich + fattouch)
Topics:
- Recycling, reusing, reducing
- Hands-on sorting
- Private-public partnership of environmental advocacy
- Green building
Ras Maska Gardens in Koura, North
Organic farm and natural self-service picking market above the sea!
From a piece of land situated above cliffs directly falling in the sea... A family decided to make an organic productive garden, where anyone can come, pick their own vegetables and buy them. A picnic area with a beautiful view over the sea and sunset completes the gardens.
The garden has paths in order for visitors to walk and see the various types of vegetables. Signage has been set all around. Through this tour, Students will enjoy greenery just above the sea and will get introduced to organic farming through a tour in the large garden. At the end of the tour, they will then pick their own vegetables and take them back home.
After this, an activity teaching about organic farming and permaculture will take place, and students will take a pot with seeds planted in it.
The garden has paths in order for visitors to walk and see the various types of vegetables. Signage has been set all around. Through this tour, Students will enjoy greenery just above the sea and will get introduced to organic farming through a tour in the large garden. At the end of the tour, they will then pick their own vegetables and take them back home.
After this, an activity teaching about organic farming and permaculture will take place, and students will take a pot with seeds planted in it.
Details
- Location: Ras Maska, Koura, North, Lebanon
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Age groups: Suitable for all ages
- Languages available: English, French, Arabic
- Number of participants: Minimum 15
- Price: 15'000LL/participant
- Note: Lunch available upon request
Topics:
- Sustainable development
- Organic farming
- Knowing vegetables, fruits and various plants
- Pollution
- Waste and Recycling
- Water consumption
- Urban planning
Nature’s Exploration through Climbing, Hiking and Yoga
During this full day activity, the participants will enjoy nature’s generosity and wonders in Tannourine by breathing in and out the freshness of the trees and greenery around, stretching their bodies and learning more about our interconnection with nature. The participants will also get hands on experience to mingle, play, and explore with different elements of nature.
Hiking, yoga, survival skillsand climbing engage the physical and mental aspects, and require a deep understanding of the respect concept. Respecting our body, mind, soul, the group, our capacities, and mostly the ultimate provider of the experience, nature.
- Yoga session
- Nature exploration
- Climbing session
- Hike to a spring waterfall
- Nature cleaning
- Survival skills
Hiking, yoga, survival skillsand climbing engage the physical and mental aspects, and require a deep understanding of the respect concept. Respecting our body, mind, soul, the group, our capacities, and mostly the ultimate provider of the experience, nature.
- Yoga session
- Nature exploration
- Climbing session
- Hike to a spring waterfall
- Nature cleaning
- Survival skills
Details
- Location: Afqa
- Duration: Full Day
- Age: Starting from 9 years old.
- Languages available: English, French, Arabic
- Number of participants: Minimum 12, Maximum 100
- Price: 50'000LL/participant including lunch but excluding climbing. (100'000LL including the climbing)
Topics
- The exchange between human beings and nature
- What are we surrounded by.
- The importance of our ecological system
- How can we protect it?
- How can we be active at our own homes (living consciously – reducing waste by staying away as much as possible from harmful waste)
- Having fun while respecting in nature
- Team spirit, team-building and bonding activities