UAE residents have a unique chance to explore Wadi Wurayah National Park, the country’s pioneering protected mountain area, and contribute to its conservation efforts. This Fujairah park, recognized globally as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, is currently closed to the public, with access limited to formal delegations and scholars. Residents can join Emirates Nature-WWF’s Leaders of Change program to support research and conservation within the reserve. With over 5,000 members, Leaders of Change is the UAE’s largest civil society movement dedicated to nature.
“Wadi Wurayah National Park, nestled in the picturesque Hajar mountain range in Fujairah, is celebrated for its rare beauty, distinctive biodiversity, and remarkable geological features, including rocky cliffs, rivers, and unique rock formations,” said Dr. Ali Alhamoudi, the park’s manager, in an interview with Khaleej Times. “The park boasts stunning natural landscapes, waterfalls, and a diverse array of wildlife, providing an exceptional experience for nature conservation enthusiasts and tourists,” he added. “Covering 220 square kilometers, the park is home to approximately 1,050 species of flora and fauna, including 208 plant species.”
Dr. Ali highlighted that Wadi Wurayah serves as a sanctuary for rare species such as the Blandford's fox, Gordon's wildcat, hedgehogs, and caracals. “The park is also a haven for ornithologists, with 114 bird species recorded within its boundaries. Recent wildlife surveys indicate that 24 out of the 28 known species of wild dragonflies in the UAE inhabit the park,” explained Dr. Ali. The Fujairah Environment Authority (FEA) has previously utilized citizen science for biodiversity surveys in Wadi Wurayah, leading to significant discoveries, including the rediscovery of the Urothemis thomasi dragonfly, previously thought to be extinct in the UAE.
Wadi Wurayah was designated as the UAE’s first protected mountain area in 2009 and closed to the public in 2013. “As a protected area, trespassing is subject to legal consequences under the law. Signboards are placed around the park to mark its borders and inform the public,” Dr. Ali noted. Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director-General of Emirates Nature-WWF, explained that Leaders of Change will organize “exclusive field trips” within the national park, allowing students and residents to “experience its breathtaking diversity and the remarkable resilience of life.”
The program, open to all UAE residents, involves participants as ‘citizen scientists’—collaborating with conservationists and experts to gather valuable data on the park’s species, including those that are nocturnal. Additionally, citizen scientists collect data on the state of freshwater ecosystems and natural habitats crucial for species survival. Many species in the park are vulnerable to climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and water scarcity. The data collected during these field trips enhances understanding of the park’s biodiversity health, particularly for key species essential to the ecosystem. “This data supports scientific research and informs environmental policies and strategies to improve conservation and guide sustainable management within the national park,” Laila added.
Events at Wadi Wurayah include tracking terrestrial wildlife, native tree reforestation, tree surveys, and exploring hidden oases. According to Laila, in Q2 of 2024 alone, Leaders of Change recorded 5,512 data points across the UAE to support scientific research and inform environmental policies. The community also restored 300 meters of nature trails and removed 750kg of waste from natural environments, protecting ecosystems and species at risk from litter ingestion.
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