Dibeen Forest Reserve

Dibeen protects a stand of Aleppo pine and evergreen oak on the hills south of Jerash, one of the southernmost pine forests of its kind, and the reserve was declared in 2004 after the area was threatened with development. The Persian squirrel lives here at the southern limit of its range. Marked trails run through the woods and picnic areas fill with Jordanian families at weekends, which is what the reserve is mostly used for. The reserve covers only around eight square kilometres, which makes it one of the smallest protected areas in the country and one of the most heavily used.

Background

The reserve covers 8.5 square kilometres of rolling hills in north-west Jordan, rising from 500m to 1000m above sea level, and the area is described as holding the largest Aleppo pines and one of the oldest naturally grown habitats in the country. A 1998 review of protected areas named it a conservation priority, and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature had it declared a reserve in 2004. From 2004 to 2007 a UNDP project worked with the municipalities of Jerash, Al Meirad and Burma to support the new reserve. At least 17 endangered species live here, among them the Persian red squirrel, grey wolves, striped hyenas and four kinds of bats.

Source: Wikipedia, "Dibbeen Forest Reserve"

The landscape

• The Aleppo pine - one of the southernmost stands of the species anywhere.
• The Persian squirrel - the animal at the southern edge of its range here.
• The marked trails - walking routes through the pine and oak woodland.
• The picnic areas - the ground used by Jordanian families at weekends.

When to go

March to May and September to November are the best months. Spring brings wild flowers and orchids. Weekends are crowded.

Practical notes

Weekends bring heavy use and litter is a problem. The reserve is small and trails are short. Facilities are basic.

Nearby

Jerash is north, and Ajloun is northwest.

Key facts