The Rene Moawad Foundation has inaugurated the Green Shell ecopark at Bentael reserve as part of the Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment (BALADI) program, a five-year initiative funded by the the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Lebanon.

USAID deputy Assistant Administrator for the Middle East Mona Yacoubian , USAID Mission Director for Lebanon Carolyn Bryan and former Social Affairs Minister Nayla Moawad attended the inauguration ceremony along with representative of the Interior Ministry and local municipal officials.

USAID contributed $159,000 to fund the development of the ecopark within the Bentael reserve, which will generate income to more than 45 households living in surrounding villages.

6,500 tourists are expected to visit the ecopark annually and the proceeds will be used to fund development projects in neighboring villages.