the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association launched its ambitious national "Environmental Protection" program at King Salman National Park in the Banban area, north of Riyadh. This initiative comes in response to national goals aimed at increasing green spaces and combating desertification, with broad participation from various governmental and community sectors.
Field mobilization to support the Saudi Green Initiative
The association launched a comprehensive package of fieldwork that transformed the Banban area into a major environmental workshop. Activities included intensive tree planting, thorough cleaning of natural sites, and the sowing and scattering of seeds to ensure the sustainability of native plants. The field witnessed active participation from scout troops, rovers, and scout leaders, who embodied the spirit of volunteerism in its finest form.
This step is of particular importance as it directly aligns with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the “Green Saudi Arabia” initiative, which aims to improve the quality of life and protect future generations from the effects of climate change, as King Salman Wilderness Park is one of the most important natural havens for the residents of Riyadh, and preserving it is an urgent environmental necessity.
Strategic alliance and institutional integration
This initiative was not a solitary effort, but rather the fruit of a strategic alliance between several vital entities. The Ministries of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Education participated, along with the Riyadh Region Municipality, the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation. This integration reflects an institutional awareness of the importance of concerted efforts to protect natural resources.
In this context, the Secretary-General of the Association, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mudaires, stressed that protecting the environment is not just a passing activity, but rather a fundamental pillar in the scouting curriculum, and a practical embodiment of the Scout Law, which urges respect for nature and service to the community.
Instilling educational values in the hearts of young people
For his part, the Assistant Secretary-General for Technical Affairs, Dr. Majid Al-Manea, explained that the program transcends its immediate environmental objectives to achieve lofty educational goals. Fieldwork in the wilderness serves as a living school for instilling environmental awareness in young people, transforming theoretical concepts of environmental conservation into positive and sustainable daily behaviors.
The event concluded with the honoring of the distinguished partners and scouting units, in the presence of the leaders of King Salman Wilderness Park, which confirms the association’s determination to make environmental care a constant and sustainable focus in all its future programs, so that the Kingdom remains green and prosperous through the efforts of its people.
