Stories for Environmental Stewardship
The Quebec-Labrador Foundation Stories for Environmental Stewardship Program—a collaborative effort to address environmental issues and promote mutual understanding through storytelling and environmental education. This groundbreaking Program—the first of its kind in the region—will use traditional stories to connect the social and cultural values of Middle East societies with the urgent need for environmental stewardship and peaceful cooperation in the region. QLF will serve as the principal with Alumni from leading environmental organizations serving as focal points in each country.
- Egypt — Amr Ali: Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association
- Israel — Yael Gavrieli: Nature Campus, Tel Aviv University
—Tammy Keren-Rotem: Israel Nature and Parks Authority
— Ron Elan, Esquire - Jordan — Raed Hayyaneh: The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature;
Save the Children - Lebanon — Mounir Abi Said: Animal Encounter
- Palestine — Imad Atrash & Ibrahim Odeh: Palestine Wildlife Society
Sami Backleh giving a presentation on wildlife to students in the West Bank, as part of an environmental education initiative. Photograph by Sami Backleh
Emerging from Middle East politics is an active and dedicated network of inspiring individuals who are deeply committed to the environment and to working with each other. Against the backdrop of unrest stands a network of conservation leaders making a visible difference by laying an environmental pathway to peace through citizen diplomacy and constructive engagement. As stewards of their environment,QLF’s Middle East Alumni are committed to making this region, and the world, a better place. They are building a civil society.
Despite the differences in politics, faith and culture faced by countries in the Middle East, environmental problems pose the greatest longterm threat to the health and well being of humans and the natural world. Nature knows no boundaries; it needs to be preserved and protected for the benefit of all. This principle is the basis for a consensus that unifies and binds the peoples and cultures of this region.
“Since stories form the intellectual and practical nourishment of oral cultures, and to the extent that our modern literate culture retains oral practices, narrative continues to play a vital role in teaching and learning.”
“The proposed project ‘Stories for Environmental Stewardship’ by QLF is one of the most essential and needed projects that must be considered and executed, if this biodiversity is to be conserved.”
View from Giftun Island, Red Sea, Egypt. Photograph by Elizabeth Alling
“I think this will be a solid base for our generations to support our nature and to reach sustainability. Also, this will be part of Environmental Education programs in Jordan.”
“I believe that this educational program can add a ray of light and hope, for co-operation on common environmental issues.”
Mounir Abi-Said of Animal Encounter teaching a group of stidents about Lebanon's wildlife. Photograph by Larry Morris
Co-Directors of Stories for Environmental Stewardship |
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 Tammy Keren-Rotem and her family. |
TAMMY KEREN-ROTEM is National Director of Environmental Education Programs in the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (NPA), which is in charge of all National Parks and Nature Reserves in Israel. Tammy defines and creates curriculum materials for environmental education issues in Israel's Parks and Reserves, which are conducted for a variety of audiences in Israel. She has worked for more than 15 years leading environmental education tours and activities in Israel for children, students and the public. She holds a BSc in Biology and Science Education from the Haifa University in Israel and an MA in Ecology and Environment, with a specialty in Animal Behavior from Tel Aviv University, where she continues her research in Behavioral Ecology. |
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 Michael Caduto leading an environmental education class. |
MICHAEL J. CADUTO is director of P.E.A.C.E.® — Programs for Environmental Awareness & Cultural Exchange (www.p-e-a-c-e.net). Michael pioneered the use of storytelling, science and the arts for teaching environmental stewardship. He authored Earth Tales from Around the World, A Guide on Environmental Values Education (UNESCO/UNEP) and is creator/coauthor of the award-winning Keepers of the Earth® books. Michael has presented educational programs and workshops to more than 250,000 people of all ages and backgrounds, including indigenous peoples from many countries. He holds a BS in Forestry and Wildlife Management from the University of Rhode Island and an MS in Natural Resources/Environmental Education from the University of Michigan. Michael has taught at numerous colleges and universities. |
Dead Sea view from the West Bank, looking towards Jordan. Photograph by Elizabeth Alling