In 1943, ley
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In 1951, JNF embarked on its largest-ever public development project: draining the marshes of the Hula Valley to reclaim the sludgy soil for agricultural use. A small section of the swamp was set aside as Israel’s first nature reserve while the rest was converted into more than 10,000 acres of arable land, expanding the sources of income for thousands of residents of kibbutzim and moshavim in the region. An important national achievement that suited the young country’s needs at the time, the project unforesee-
B e it Es hel no w Restor a t io n o f b e it e s hel, 2009
ably caused numerous environmental problems and the need to restore the original ecosystem became evident. In the early 1990’s JNF spearheaded the reflooding and rehabilitation of the valley, which improved soil conditions for agriculture, prevented the flow of pollutants into the Sea of Galilee, and restored local flora and fauna. Today, millions of migrating cranes once again stop at Hula Lake Park each winter on their way to Southern Africa, making it one of the most impor-
, e it e s h e l k ib b u t z b ed by e s t a b l is h 43 19 in jn f
15 www.jnf.org
tant bird-watching sites in the world and an international tourist destination. In
l then B e it Es h e
addition to bird watching at the Crane Lookout, visitors can bike through the park on JNF’s cycling routes or view the birds on a camouflaged tractor that pulls right up to the feeding sites. An educational center offers videos and information about the history of the Hula Valley and the many kinds of wildlife that inhabit it.
en R iv e rs t h
In 1965 JNF began
planting the Yatir Forest in the northern Negev, a dry area
of loved ones. One hundred years and 240 million trees later, JNF has transformed a once-
deemed unsuitable for afforestation by experts, with less than 200 millimeters of rainfall
desolate landscape—described by Mark Twain in 1867 as a “silent, mournful expanse”—into
a year. Today, it is the world’s largest desert forest—and Israel’s largest forest overall—and
more than 250,000 acres of green. Initially, planting forests met immediate needs like
is home to a research station for the study of trees’ role in the absorption of greenhouse
laying claim to the land and creating jobs for immigrants. Today, trees are used to serve
gases. Tree planting, one of JNF’s most well-known activities, began in the early 1900’s
as “green lungs” in urban areas, halt desertification, prevent soil erosion, and protect wa-
when the fledgling organization turned its attention to cultivating the land it was purchas-
tersheds. JNF foresters have developed expertise in arid land management that is shared
ing. The first forest was a 62-acre olive grove planted in memory of Theodor Herzl, which
with countries throughout the world.
the D r e d g in g er, iv r k is h o n 7 19 2
R iv e rs
established the time-honored tradition of planting trees in Israel in honor and in memory
Y a t ir F orest, 2009
Much of the land
Tree Planting Then The Start of Yatir Forest, 1965
now
the ale xander r iv e r a fter restor a t io n , 2003
Tree P l a n ti ng Now
Alexander muss high school in israel
H u l a Va l Now
despite the British Land Edicts prohibiting the purchase of land in the Negev, JNF created three new communities in the region—Gvulot, Beit Eshel, and Revivim—to help ensure the Negev’s inclusion in the future State of Israel and serve as experimental agricultural stations where the soil, water, and climate conditions of the desert could be studied. Beit Eshel, located near Be’er Sheva, was destroyed by the Egyptian army during the War of Independence and abandoned for decades. Its original courtyards and buildings are now being restored by JNF and the Be’er Sheva River Authority as part of the Be’er Sheva River Park in an effort to preserve the history of the site for future generations. Visitors will be able to learn about the agricultural marvels that were achieved at Beit Eshel as well as the battle that took place in 1948.
that JNF purchased in Israel consisted of malaria-ridden swamps that had to be drained and transformed into fertile, arable farmland. This process, conducted throughout the country during much of the early 20th century, involved digging canals, widening riverbeds, and laying pipes to regulate water flow into river channels. JNF’s attention has remained focused on Israel’s waterways but its 21st century work combats a different type of threat: pollution of rivers and streams. In 1993, JNF and Israel’s Ministry of the Environment created the National River Administration, the coordinating body for more than 15 governmental ministries, non-profits, and research organizations
charged with overseeing the restoration of Israel’s rivers. This involves reducing pollution, rehabilitating ecosystems, regulating channels to conduct floodwaters, and promoting river recreation, tourism, education and research. In 2003, JNF was recognized with an international prize from the prestigious Australian River-Price Competition for its collaboration with the Palestinian Authority to restore the Alexander River, a severely polluted 20-mile stream that runs through Jewish and Arab towns. Current projects include the rehabilitation of the Yarkon River, which runs through Israel’s largest population center, Tel Aviv, and the restoration of the Be’er Sheva River as part of the 1,700-acre Be’er Sheva River Park.