A growing movement towards conservation and sustainable living is taking root across the kingdom, driven by an expanding calendar of nature workshops, community clean-up campaigns and eco-friendly initiatives.
Environmental advocates say that in an increasingly digital world, where technology and artificial intelligence play a key role in daily life, it is more important than ever for people to reconnect with nature by learning practical skills such as growing their own food and reducing waste.
This comes as countries mark World Environment Day today, a global observance aimed at raising awareness of pressing environmental challenges, including plastic pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.
Among those leading this movement is Bahraini entrepreneur Reem Yateem, 33, founder of Learn to Grow, an eco-friendly educational farm established in 2021 that offers hands-on programmes and workshops focused on sustainable living, gardening and permaculture.
Speaking to the GDN, Ms Yateem said interest in the farm has grown steadily over the years, particularly among adults eager to learn more about cultivating food and adopting environmentally conscious practices, as well as schools that regularly organise field trips.
“In the beginning, we were mainly focused on providing programmes for children aged three to 11, but we quickly noticed that many adults were interested in attending workshops as well,” she said.
“Since then, we have expanded our offerings to include workshops for all ages, designed to help people connect with the land and learn what grows well in Bahrain.”
The farm offers a wide range of workshops, including Be a Farmer for a Day, Terrarium workshop, Yoga, Introduction to Permaculture, Pigment Workshop and Weaving Workshop.
Ms Yateem highlighted that Learn to Grow does not use any chemicals on the farm, instead adopting a permaculture-based approach.
Permaculture, short for permanent agriculture, is the idea of working with, rather than against, nature. It integrates land, resources, people and the environment through mutually beneficial synergies and is a practical method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems, while also reusing waste as a fertiliser.
One of those methods involves creating layered plating systems that mimic natural forest ecosystems. Trees and plants are arranged according to their ecological roles, allowing them to support one another while improving biodiversity.
“We have a canopy layer where tall trees provide shade and shelter, a mid-layer consisting of fruit-bearing and multipurpose trees that support wildlife and shrub layers made up of smaller plants that attract pollinators and enrich the soil,” she said.
Among the species cultivated at the farm are moringa, bambar, curry and mango trees, alongside dozens of fruits, vegetables, herbs and native plants. The site has also become a thriving habitat for wildlife.
To better understand the farm’s ecosystem, Ms Yateem enlisted biologist Mominah Sharif to document plant and animal species found on the property. Since February, Ms Sharif has been building a biodiversity database, recording observations on insects, birds and reptiles.
“It is important to document the wildlife on the farm so we can better understand seasonal patterns, species interactions and their relationships with plants,” she said. Among her most notable discoveries have been brown widow spiders and skinks, a type of lizard.
“People are often afraid of brown widows, but they actually play an important ecological role by acting as natural pest controllers,” Ms Sharif explained. “They also help suppress black widow populations, which can pose a greater risk to humans.”
Meanwhile, community group OneHeartBahrain is marking World Environment Day with a clean-up campaign at Buhair Valley today from 5pm to 7pm. The initiative comes amid growing concerns over littering and environmental damage at the protected wetland area.
During a recent GDN visit, rubbish was found scattered across the site, while some visitors were seen feeding fish, trampling fragile wetlands and climbing protected rock formations.
“Set within one of the kingdom’s few remaining natural wetlands and green spaces, this initiative aims to protect a fragile ecosystem of environmental, geological and cultural significance,” OHB volunteer Amal Ishaq told the GDN.
“With the support of Urbaser, collected waste will be responsibly managed, sorted and recycled wherever possible, reinforcing awareness around sustainable waste practices and environmental protection.”
Participants will collect plastic waste, cigarette litter, recyclable materials, glass, metal, paper and cardboard. The event will also include educational activities on waste sorting and reducing single-use plastics.
Elsewhere, the Muharraq Municipality, in collaboration with MetLife Gulf, recently organised a beach clean-up campaign at Al Sayah in Busaiteen as part of efforts to strengthen community partnerships and support environmental conservation.
“The campaign brought together volunteers and company employees with the aim of cleaning up the coastline, reducing environmental pollutants, and raising awareness about the importance of community partnership in protecting the marine environment and promoting environmental stability,” the municipality said.
For those looking to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle or try their hand at gardening, experts say that choosing the right plants and watering techniques can make all the difference in Bahrain’s hot climate.
Water wisely
With strong sunshine and high temperatures for much of the year, keeping plants hydrated can be a challenge. Gardeners can help conserve water by:
l Using the bottom-watering method, where plant pots are partially submerged in a tub or bucket of water until the soil surface feels moist.
l Adding a layer of pebbles when bottom watering to help regulate water absorption and create a protective barrier.
l Using the inverse bottle method, a simple drip-irrigation technique that slowly releases water into the soil over time.
Easy plants for beginners
Low-maintenance plants that grow well in Bahrain include:
l Snake plant
l Aloe vera
l Jasmine sambac
Flowering plants suited to Bahrain
Several ornamental plants thrive in the kingdom’s climate, including:
• Bougainvillea
• Desert rose
• Jasmine
• Hibiscus
• Frangipani
• Marigolds
Best vegetables to grow
The cooler months provide ideal conditions for growing a range of crops, including:
• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Peppers
• Various herbs
Seasonal favourite
Mulberries typically grow best in Bahrain between April and May, making them a popular seasonal crop for home gardeners.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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