Dibeen Forest Reserve

Dibbeen Forest Reserve
The entrance to Dibbeen Forest Reserve
Map of Jordan
Location	jerash Governorate, Jordan
Nearest city	Jerash
Coordinates	32°14′30″N 35°48′25″E / 32.2417°N 35.807°E / 32.2417; 35.807Coordinates: 32°14′30″N 35°48′25″E / 32.2417°N 35.807°E / 32.2417; 35.807
Area	8.5 square kilometres (3.3 sq mi)
Established	2004
Governing body	Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

Dibbeen Forest Reserve is a nature reserve located in the north-west of Jordan. It is situated just south of the Roman site of Jerash and covers an area of 8.5 square kilometres (3.3 sq mi) of rolling hills covered with pine–oak habitat. This area houses the largest Aleppo Pines one of the oldest and naturally grown habitats in Jordan. It also is the home to 17 endangered species such as the Persian Squirrel.

The area was protected as a nature reserve in 2004 under the initiative of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.

The forest is known as the driest places in the region and ranges over 60 km and is changing in altitude of 500m to 1000m above sea level. The rock within the reserve is a mixture of limestone and chalky limestone, which has been formed into steep slopes. The average rainfall is 710 millimetres (28 in) per year. Within the forest, there is a variety of moisture conditions, with wadis giving different regimes from those found on the steep slopes.

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is a voluntary organization that works to preserve the natural resources of Jordan. It was established in 1966 under the patronage of Queen Noorr and the late King Hussein as Honorary President.

In 1966 their main focus was the decline in animal species due to illegal hunting in the area and the disregard to nature in Jordan. The small group of pioneers worked side by side with the government to make sure that wildlife was kept safe by creating ground rules and hunting laws. As a result, in 1973, the RSCN was given the right to issue hunting licenses and develop hunting patrols to regulate hunting laws in Jordan. Their work flourished and by 1995 they were the first to establish the first Jordanian Environmental Protection Law and an Environmental Police Unit in 2006.

Throughout the years the RSNC has dutifully protected six areas around Jordan (1200 square meters). These areas include Shaumari, Azraq, Dana, Wadi Mujib, Ajloun, and Dibbeen.