NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI uses on-device Edge AI models and LoRaWAN communication to process data locally and transmit alerts even in low-connectivity regions. This low-power, scalable network allows instant wildfire detection, animal tracking, and real-time environmental monitoring.

NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI integrates bio-acoustic microphones, air quality sensors (CO, VOC), and hyperlocal climate monitors to detect wildlife movement, forest fires, and ecological disturbances. This system enables real-time environmental intelligence for conservation, climate resilience, and human-wildlife conflict prevention.

The purpose of interinstitutional articulation is to involve all the
actors with relevant competencies to coordinate actions that
allow effective management of the ZEPA and to address the
impacts of industrial fishing in the area. The creation of the
Expanded Interinstitutional Roundtable made it possible to
manage this effectively.

The legal accompaniment was aimed at guaranteeing a fair
defense of the fishers's rights that were being violated, as well as
promoting the extension of the ZEPA figure. Thanks to this
support, the filing of the legal action was initiated in 2012,
leading to a favorable ruling in 2019 and, subsequently, a final
decision in second instance in 2020.

Building local and regional expertise in DNA barcoding and metabarcoding is vital for sustainable biodiversity conservation. Supported by BBI-CBD funding, our training programs target conservation practitioners from Lebanon, Tunisia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Jordan, including those without prior molecular biology experience. These hands-on workshops cover sample collection, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and interpretation, empowering participants to independently apply molecular tools in their contexts. Capacity building democratizes access to innovative technologies, fosters regional collaboration, and ensures continuity beyond the project lifecycle.

Meaningful engagement with Lebanese Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, local NGOs, practitioners, and communities ensured that scientific insights informed policy and restoration practices. By communicating findings clearly and collaboratively, we helped integrate molecular data into the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Awareness campaigns targeted schools, universities, farmers, and land managers, raising understanding of the ecological roles animals play in forest regeneration. This knowledge mobilization builds local ownership, promotes evidence-based decision-making, and bridges science with societal needs for long-term ecosystem resilience.

Partnerships with the Smithsonian Institution, iBOL, and Saint Joseph University have been central to our project’s success. The Smithsonian provided advanced expertise in metabarcoding methodology and quality assurance, enabling rigorous application of DNA analysis. iBOL supports the expansion of barcoding efforts, particularly for insects, linking our regional data to global biodiversity initiatives. Saint Joseph University leads research implementation and capacity building, ensuring regional ownership and continuity. These collaborations combine global knowledge with local ecological and institutional context, enabling innovation and scalability.

The creation of a comprehensive, open-access DNA reference library of native plant and animal species was foundational to our solution. Recognizing that global databases lacked coverage for many Eastern Mediterranean species, we built the first Lebanese library encompassing plants, mammals, and now expanding to insects, birds, and fungi. This reference database improves the accuracy of DNA sequence matching and enables precise identification of species present in environmental samples. It also fills a critical regional data gap and facilitates ecological studies, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation planning. By publishing the library openly, we promote transparency, collaboration, and the potential for adaptation in similar biodiversity hotspots.

DNA barcoding and metabarcoding are cutting-edge molecular techniques that allow precise identification of species from small biological samples such as animal scats. Barcoding targets a single species by sequencing a standard gene region, while metabarcoding amplifies multiple DNA markers simultaneously, enabling comprehensive analysis of complex mixtures. These methods provide detailed insights into animal diets, predator-prey relationships, and seed dispersal patterns without invasive sampling. In our solution, these techniques were adapted to the Lebanese ecological context, enabling high-throughput biodiversity assessment and revealing key interactions between fauna and flora. This approach overcomes limitations of traditional ecological surveys and opens new possibilities for monitoring biodiversity changes, especially in regions with scarce baseline data.

This building block focuses on cultivating place attachment—an emotional, cultural, and cognitive bond between youth and Komodo National Park. Through storytelling, field immersion, and reflective learning, students begin to see the park not just as a tourist destination, but as a vital part of their identity and future. The program employs experiential tools such as ranger-led nature walks, local legends, visual storytelling, and ecological mapping to foster deeper connections with the landscape and its inhabitants. These experiences help reposition the park from a backdrop of economic activity into a living, shared heritage. As students develop a sense of belonging and pride, their motivation to protect and advocate for the environment increases. This shift is crucial in transforming passive knowledge into active stewardship, inspiring long-term behavioral change and conservation leadership. Building place attachment ensures that youth understand both the ecological and emotional value of the park, anchoring their sense of responsibility in a place they call home.