Joelle Salameh is a Natural Resources Management Specialist with extensive expertise in environmental conservation, sustainable land management, and ecotourism development. She holds a master’s degree in Biodiversity and has dedicated over eight years to advancing forest management and restoration practices.
In her current role as Program Manager at the International Association for Mediterranean Forests (AIFM) in France, Joelle oversees a range of initiatives focused on restoring and enhancing forest ecosystems across the Mediterranean region. Her work emphasizes adaptive forest management and resilience-building as critical strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Her portfolio includes coordinating restoration projects, advancing forest resilience frameworks, and fostering cross-border collaborations to promote sustainable forestry practices.
Prior to her work at AIFM, Joelle served as Project Manager with the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative (LRI) for six years, where she lead transformative projects in forest conservation and community-driven ecotourism. Among her notable achievements is the establishment of the Anjar Eco Park, Lebanon’s first national forestry park. This pioneering initiative has become a benchmark for sustainable rural development, integrating forest conservation with ecotourism while actively engaging local communities in environmental stewardship and sustainable livelihoods.
Joelle’s multifaceted expertise encompasses reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and capacity-building programs. She has played a key role in designing and implementing training initiatives that empower local stakeholders, foster environmental awareness, and promote participatory approaches to natural resource management.