Think Environment - Think KKL-JNF

Planting for the Environment

One of KKL-JNF's major achievements is undoubtedly the ratification of the National Master Plan for Forests and Afforestation (NMP/22). Following four years of intensive study and mapping of Israel’s vegetation, KKL-JNF formulated a plan that combines protection and conservation of vegetation, forests and woodlands in Israel withthe maintenance of developed forest areas as infrastructure for public recreation. Ecological considerations play a major role in KKL-JNF’s current afforestation policies, such as:

• Studying natural ecosystems to determine the best type of tree for each habitat, and  using native species used whenever possible

• Savannization: KKL-JNF's unique savannization program focuses on restoring and managing areas that have undergone desertification.

• Perfecting methods of rehabilitating forests following wildfires 

• Developing the concept of community forests to involve people with caring for forests near their home
   
  

Making the Most of the Little We Have

Israel, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, suffers from a serious water deficit. This is aggravated by the pollution of many of our streams and springs. KKL-JNF plays a major role in improving Israel's water situation in the following ways:

• Developing reservoirs to harvest floodwater and enrich groundwater

• Establishing hundreds of water treatment facilities to impound purified wastewater and use it for irrigation

• Leading river rehabilitation in Israel to restore aquatic habitats for plants and animals and create new recreation areas for people such as the Alexander River Demonstration Project and rehabilitating springs

• Implementing advanced environmental water purification techniques such as constructed wetlands and a unique bio-filtration system for urban runoff 

The Variety of Life on Earth

For us at KKL-JNF, biological diversity is a major issue. We have progressed tremendously since our early days, and now use afforestation methods geared at encouraging biodiversity. Many of our other projects (listed below) encourage biodiversity as well:

• Development of sustainable forest parks and biospheric parks.

• Restoring threatened tree species, such as the Tabor oak, to their natural habitat.

• Developing parks and forests to suit a broad variety of plants and animals.

• Preserving native tree species as a gene bank for future generations.

• Protecting seasonal winter pools – an essential habitat for amphibians and various crustaceans and insects.

People's Contribution to the Environment

Cultural diversity needs to be preserved as much as biodiversity. Actually, in many cases the two types of diversity are closely linked. The Land of Israel has been settled by many different peoples, each with their own culture and traditions, and KKL-JNF is active in preserving and restoring many of the remains of ancient and more modern societies. This includes:

• Restoring and preserving the complex system of ancient agricultural terraces and irrigation methods such as is found in Sataf in the Jerusalem Hills. 

• Preserving ancient trees venerated by many different ethnic groups in Israel.

• Integrating local customs in many of our educational activities.

• Preserving archaeological and heritage sites.

Farming for the Future

In Israel, we take great pride in our farming heritage, but at KKL-JNF, we know how easily agriculture can harm the environment. Uncontrolled pesticide use, habitat destruction and farmer-wildlife conflicts are only a few of the fields that we are involved in. KKL-JNF believes that farming can go hand-in-hand successfully with good agricultural practices. We work with farmers on all levels, including:

• Supporting R&D Stations to develop integrated pest management schemes

• Promoting pesticide-free farming schemes such as the Clean Arava Project

• Finding innovative solutions to farmer-environment conflicts, such as the Crane Feeding Project in the Hula Valley

Environmental work sometimes seems endless, almost like trying to stop a flood by sticking a finger into the dam. But at KKL-JNF, we are optimistic – we believe that by working with our environment and improving it, we will have a better world to leave to our children than the one we received from our forefathers.