The Lebanon Mountain Trail is now a reality thanks to the vision, efforts, and support of many people and organizations. While there is not enough space to thank them all here, it is fitting to acknowledge those who made significant contributions to the establishment of Lebanon’s first national long-distance hiking trail.

At USAID, many thanks are due to Raouf Youssef, who as Mission Director of USAID Lebanon encouraged and supported the idea of a national hiking trail. The LMT project was also fortunate to have Ghassan Jamous, Development Management Specialist, and CTO (Cognizant Technical Officer) of the Lebanon Mountain Trail project. Ghassan provided guidance at every stage, stressing the importance for the LMT communities to realize tangible economic benefits from the trail and of establishing the LMT Association as a way to sustainability.

The Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, through its Director General Nada Sardouk and the Director of Research and Studies Joumana Ghanoum, provided the LMT project with official support and full backing. The Ministry of Environment, through its Director General Berj Hatjian, was among the early supporters of the LMT and encouraged the preparation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the LMT project. The Lebanese Army's Directorate of Geographic Affairs, under the command of General Maroun Khreish, facilitated the acquisition, and authorized the use, of important maps. Sincere thanks are also extended to all the elected members of the numerous municipal councils who provided support and resources to the LMT project and for their commitment to protect and maintain the LMT in the long-run.

Among ECODIT's many implementation partners in Lebanon, we wish to recognize Michel Moufarege for taking the lead in delineating the path of the LMT; Members of the Club des Vieux Sentiers, Victor Soma and Captain Aref Kodeih for reviewing and commenting on early delineation paths; nature tour operators (Liban Trek, Esprit Nomade, Cyclamen, Baldati, Ibex, Lebanon Roots, Lebanese Adventure, and Responsible Mobilities) for working to develop, market and promote the LMT; CIFA and Pascal Abdallah for developing the Baskinta Literary Trail as a stand-alone tourism destination; Ghaleb Ghanem, Nadim Naimy, Amin Maalouf, Leila Maalouf and George Aroyan for believing in and supporting the Baskinta Literary Trail, and enlightening the LMT project team about the cultural heritage of the Baskinta region.

ECODIT would also like to thank Al-Shouf Cedar Society, Horsh Ehden Committee, Friends of Tannourine Cedars, and Friends of Bsharre Cedar Forest for welcoming the LMT into their protected areas; Antoine Fischfisch and Antoine Younan from the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik for developing plans for upgrading the Mtein and Hasroun historic town squares; Kamal Azar and Elie Abi Rizk from GIS Transport for the excellent map work; Maya Kotait and Samar Yaghmour from PommeS for their patient graphic design work and meticulous follow-up with the print shop; Ziad Moussa for strategic advice and training on community mobilization; Serge Yazigi for his advice on urban planning issues and trail access points; Housam Shaiban for his detailed description of common plants along the trail; Marc Metni for his excellent study of the Balou Baatara pothole; Joanne Bejjaly for advising on the archeological attractions along the LMT; Nidal Ghorayeb for his guidance on developing the LMT website and Daniel Mozaya for maintaining the website; Andre Beshara and Serge Soued for their expert training of LMT trail guides on eco-guiding; and Vincent Battle for his methodical input on the contents and format of the LMT Guidebook. Our thanks also go to our lawyers Antoine Abboud and Laura Azar for their legal services and ECODIT Liban's Sara Kouzi, Haya Assi and Soraya Moukarzel for their dedicated work on the SEA of the LMT project.

We also wish to recognize the valuable contributions made by dedicated volunteers such as Marwan Khodr, George Zgheib, Roni Choueiri, Zaher Rassi, Carlos Hobeika, Georges Hobeika, Ghada Harfoush and Wael Shmeis who, along with other volunteers, walked, cleared, mobilized local youth, and helped bring life back to ancient trails.

ECODIT's US partners provided practical guidance and invaluable advice. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Dave Startzell, Dave Field and Marianne Skeen advised on the formation of the LMT Association, helped the LMT project team identify priority actions to set the LMT on the right track, and walked parts of the LMT. Through the International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Martha Honey, Scott Wayne and Christina Cavaliere introduced the LMT project team to travel writers and ecotourism conventions, provided advice on the LMT website, and on certification guidelines. The US Forest Service, International Programs, conducted a very successful Trail Development and Maintenance workshop in Lebanon, with sustained input and contributions from Jennifer Peterson, Melissa Othman, Chris Soriano, Lyle Laverty and Kim Frederick. ANERA’s Rob Mosri and Martine Btaich organized a successful training program for guesthouses on the LMT. Coverdale's Cathryn Goddard facilitated a productive Team Building Workshop at the outset of the LMT project.

Both the Lebanese and international media provided excellent coverage of the LMT goals, progress made on the LMT project, as well as various events and activities along the LMT. In Lebanon, we would like to thank the following media powerhouses: An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, The Daily Star, L’Orient le Jour, Al Akhbar, Assafir, Addiyar, Al Anwar, Albalad, Aliwaa, Al Hayat, Attadamon, and Lubnan El Hurr Radio as well as LBC and Heya TVs. Internationally, special thanks to National Public Radio in the US, the Reuters News Service, the BBC World Service, France 24 TV and the UK Geographical Magazine.

The Lebanon Mountain Trail Association

Special thanks are due to an important group of volunteers, namely the founding members of the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association: Michel Moufarege, Raghida Haddad, Asaad Najm, Tarek El-Halabi, Fouad Charara, Aref Kodeih, Ghassan Jaradi, Nada Zaarour, Pascal Abdallah and Serge Yazigi.

The ECODIT LMT Project Team

Faisal Abu-Izzeddin, Chief of Party
Karim El-Jisr, Deputy Chief of Party
Michelle Bachir, Trail Development and Promotion Coordinator
Rima Gabriel, Website and Guidebook Coordinator
Louis Rahal, Engineer/Architect
Jad Abou Arrage, Lodging and Training Coordinator
Sevag Fernezian, Finance Officer
Paula Irani, Office Manager
Chadi Ghajar, Field Coordinator (for North Lebanon)
Gilbert Moukheiber, Field Coordinator (for North Mount Lebanon)
Nizar Hani, Field Coordinator (for South Mount Lebanon)
Ramiz Dalli, Field Coordinator (for South Lebanon)
Walaa Mallak, Administrative Assistant
Milad Butros, Driver
Ghassan Abdelnour, Driver
Joseph Karam, President of ECODIT and Project Director.

Their hard work, dedication, knowledge, teamwork, sense of humor, and bravery during adverse times made the LMT project a success.