Assad SERHAL

Early Life & Education

• Born in the village of Keyfoun, nestled in the foothills of Mount Lebanon. His childhood was shaped by close contact with nature, including frequent hunting trips with his father
• During a brief visit to London in 1976, the onset of the Lebanese civil war stranded him there for a year—a formative experience that deeply influenced his worldview and strengthened his bond with nature.
• He pursued higher education in the United States, earning degrees in ecology and wildlife management from Oklahoma State University.

Founding SPNL & Advancing Conservation

• In 1983–1984, he co-founded the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), which would later become Lebanon’s national partner of BirdLife International.
• The organization focused early efforts on habitat protection, bird sanctuary creation, and raising awareness around biodiversity.

Establishing Protected Areas & Reviving the Hima

• In 1993, working with the IUCN, the Lebanese Ministry of Environment, UNDP, and others, he initiated Lebanon’s first Protected Areas Project
• In 2004, Serhal spearheaded the revival of the Hima—an ancient, community-based system of sustainable land management. The first modern Hima was established in Ebel es-Saqi in southern Lebanon
• By 2018, 21–25 such Himas had been established, covering terrestrial, wetland, and marine ecosystems. These have successfully protected wildlife habitat, grazing lands, precious water resources, and empowered local communities.

Leadership Roles & Advocacy

• Serhal served three times as a BirdLife International Global Councillor, representing the Middle East region.
• He also chaired the BirdLife Middle East Partnership Committee and helped establish the Hima Fund, aiming to support conservation using this traditional model

Honors & Awards

• Winner of the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity (2018)—a prestigious international recognition honoring his impactful work in conservation.
• Awarded the Silver Lebanese Order of Merit Medal (2019) by the President of Lebanon for his environmental contributions
• Honored with IUCN Honorary Membership and named a BirdLife International Member of Honour (2022).

Summary

Assad Serhal’s journey—from a nature-loving youth to a globally recognized conservation leader—epitomizes a life dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity through locally rooted, culturally resonant frameworks. By reviving the Hima system and leading national and regional conservation efforts, he has left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire nature stewardship across Lebanon and the wider Middle East.