American University of Beirut

About us
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​"It may be possible to forget a great many things about our years at AUB, but I doubt that anyone could ever forget the beautiful garden that was our campus." - Anonymous

 




    Our Mission

    The AUB Botanic Garden has a three-p​ronged mission that will guide its work for the coming years.

     

    First, it is committed to the conservation of the living environment that makes up a large proportion of the AUB campus.

     

    Second, it seeks to educate members of the community, both within and outside of AUB, about the natural environment with which we co-exist and the importance of preserving this environment for future generations.

     

    Third, it aims to increase the appreciation of the campus as a sanctuary for living things and to serve as a model for a sustainable relationship between people and nature.

    Our Vision

    • Less water demand
    • Natural green
    • Accessiblity to the public
    • Wide range of learning opportunities
    • All season garden
    • Sustainable Green Campus
    • Passages
    • Increased green areas and green roofs
    • Administrative regulations for campus growth and participatory involvement in any future development
    • Establish AUB campus as a botanic garden


    Our History

    Botanic Garden History_page-0001.jpg 

    Botanic Garden History_page-0002.jpg


    Our Director



    Dr. Salma Talhouk
    Dr Salma Talhouk
    ​AUBotanic Chairperson
    Dr. Salma N. Talhouk is a tenured full professor in the department of landscape design and ecos​ystem management in the faculty of agricultural and food sciences at the American University of Beirut. She is the founding Chairperson of the AUB Botanic Garden (AUBotanic). Her focus is on advancing community stewardship of natural resources, exploring dig​​ital technologies for nature conservation, shedding light on cultural ecosystem services, and investigating the use of native and ecologically adapted plants for roofs and green walls. 

    Professor Talhouk was the founding Director of AUB’s Nature Conservation Center; she has served as the chairperson of the Department of Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management and as the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. She is currently a founding member of the AUB Sustainability Committee, a member of the steering committee of the ecosystem services partnership, and the IUCN Arabian Plant specialist group.​​​




    Our Team


    Vitaly Aoun
    Coordinator - AUB Botanic Garden (AUBotanic)





    ​Mr Vitaly Elias Aoun is the current coordinator of the AUB Botanic Garden (AUBotanic). He has a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy and a Masters degree in Environmental Engineering with a specialization in Forestry both from the Lebanese University. He has an eclectic background working in multiple domains including a stint in Armenia.


     

    Aya Khouzami AUBotanic.JPEG 
    Aya Khouzami
    Student Coordinator - AUB Botanic Garden (AUBotanic)






    ​Aya Khouzami is the current student coordinator of the AUB Botanic Garden. She is pursuing her bachelor's degree in biology at the American University of Beirut. Aya has diverse experience, actively participating in various wildlife and domestic animal rescue initiatives in Lebanon.






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