Community Forests

Until recently, forests were widely exploited for new construction or treated as garbage dumps. KKL-JNF now works together with communities to turn neglected areas into green local jewels, encouraging country-wide forest care as part of its efforts to conserve ecological and environmental assets.

  • What are Community Forests?

    The community forest is a powerful tool that promotes the connection between local residents and nature. Any wooded area near a community, big or small, is a natural candidate for a community forest.

  • Why are Community Forests Important?

    The importance of community forests is reflected in environmental, social, educational and economic assets that draw city-dwellers close to nature and their local heritage, and encourage identification with conservation.

  • Care and Maintenance

    In time, once the forest becomes a site of community enjoyment and recreation, and the number of users grows, it becomes necessary to expand care and maintenance.

  • Community Empowerment

    Since community forests are small, it is important to expand the forest and its beneficial potential. Community plantings are held around Tu Bishvat, the New Year of the Trees, forging the residents’ bond to the forest.

  • A Bond with Environment

    The signing of a public covenant to conserve and care for the forest is an important stage in developing a community forest. The covenant represents the importance of the community forest and the signatories are community residents, the Local Authority and KKL-JNF forest managers.

  • Where Nature and Leisure Meet

    Every community forest has its own beauty and character, natural treasures, landscape gems, and heritage sites. All together create an attractive image, help brand and market the forest, and are a drawing card for the community and source of pride and identification.