The Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve was created under Law No.9 on February 25, 1999. The reserve is managed by the Tannourine Cedars Forest Nature Reserve Committee in cooperation with the Lebanese Ministry of the Environment.

The Reserve encompasses 200 hectares and protects one of the largest and densest cedar forests in Lebanon. Ninety percent of the trees in the forest are cedars. The unique geography and topography of the forest has sheltered the area from excessive tourist activity. There are hiking trails in the rocky terrain of the mountains that are not for the faint of heart. In the stunning mountainous landscape, cedars seemingly defy gravity and grow on extremely vertical slopes. Visitors to the reserve will also enjoy the opportunity to discover rock-cut or naturally occurring grottos, as well as rare flowers particular the high altitude terrain, like the mountain tulip or Lebanese prickly thrift.

Tree species in the reserve include a variety of cedars and oaks, animal species include wild animals such as hyenas, boars, squirrels, snakes and bats and various types of birds: eagles, owls, robins.

In 1996, three years before the Reserve was established, a new insect species was discovered that was causing serious damage to the forest. With financial support from FAO-UN, UNEP/GEF, and the Lebanese Ministry of Environment, researchers from the American University of Beirut were able to identify and manage the web-spinning sawfly, Cephalcia tannourinensis Chevin.

Reference: http://www.arztannourine.org/en/main.php