Blog

Ask me (almost) anything, June 2023

Jun 19, 2023

On June 17, we celebrated World Day of Drought and Desertification.

In celebration of this day, we asked Mark to please share his experience and knowledge on desertification and drought, and being in the desert.

Mark tells us that he did do some work in Libya and the Middle East; Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq.

“Libya was interesting. I was there in 1979, just when the US Embassy hostages were taken in Tehran. I was inspecting a site that had been developed just after WWII. It was 100 hectares of Australian Gumtree forest, and it was planted by Australians after the war. The gum trees in Libya loved the environment and did very well. It looked like Australia’s inland country!

This whole site was enclosed by high brick walls, mainly to stop people from taking the trees for firewood. This is a common situation in Arab / Bedouin cultures because for surviving in the desert, they need firewood to cook.

In fact, this is typical of the whole of North Africa and the Middle East, but we must respect the cultures and their hopes for a better life and environment. And, we can encourage and support them to be the best custodians that they can be.” Mark says.

One of the desert sites Mark worked at.

Concerning drought, Mark suggests that the starting point should involve water conservation, in relation to the local climate and weather conditions.

Make sure that available water is used wisely, by:
– preventing water run-off and evaporation,
– enabling water soaking and retention in the soil,
– and ensuring that the water catchments are well protected.

The most efficient way to manage water is through underground storage. Protection of these underground facilities is essential to prevent animals from spoiling precious water supplies.

Thank you for these tips and for sharing your experience in Libya, Mark. We appreciate the opportunity to learn from you!

Below, a few photos Mark shares from his time in the desert:

 

Please share this. Thank you!

1 Comment

  1. Anrich Bester

    Nice to see your photos and a younger version of you, Mark!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Other blog posts

The Ancient Dragon Tree of Tenerife: A Living Symbol of Biodiversity

With its thick trunk, twisting branches, and giant umbrella-shaped crown, the Dragon Tree almost looks like something from a fantasy story. But beyond its magical appearance, this remarkable tree tells a deeper story about biodiversity, resilience, history, and the close relationship between people and nature.

World Migratory Bird Day 2026: Every Bird Counts

Every year, millions of migratory birds travel across countries, oceans, forests, and wetlands. These incredible journeys connect different parts of the world and remind us that nature does not follow human borders.

Happy Earth-Day To You!

Rose tells us that “Every piece of land and person has a different story – and I’m here to listen first. I don’t offer packages. I offer support.

New Year, New Hope – A Celebration From Our Community In Bali

Chelsea Detari, the Associate Director / Education Team Leader at SEE Learning Indonesia, tells us about their recent celebrations.

International Day of Zero Waste – A Story From MAYA, Zimbabwe

Jussa, our regional coordinator in Zimbabwe and Director of our partner, Manica Youth Assembly (MAYA), tells us about their hands-on approach for the Day of Zero Waste. 

World Wildlife Day: Inspired by Bijaya Kumar Dash from India

In light of this international day, we are delighted to share this inspiring story from Odisha, India. Bijaya Kumar Dash tells us about how he became inspired by wildlife.

World Wetlands Day: 2 February

Wetlands are natural areas where water plays the main role in shaping the environment and supporting plants and animals.

A reflection on International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, 28 January

This International Day reminds us of something very important. It is a reminder and an encouragement to learn how to live peacefully with each other.

Human Rights Day: Growing Dignity, Hope, and Care for Our Planet

We may feel or think that there is very little we can do to help others or protect human rights. However, if we think about our attitude toward the natural environment, we may see that we can, in fact, make a difference! See, a clean and healthy environment is not a luxury, but a basic human need.

Celebrating Mountains and Trees on International Mountain Day

Mountains are more than majestic landscapes. They are true lifelines. They supply fresh water to billions of people worldwide, feeding rivers and streams that sustain farms, forests, towns, and cities.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our newsletter. Stay tuned to all our news. There is more to come.

You have Successfully Subscribed!