Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel

Description

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, known abroad as Nature Israel, is Israel’s oldest and largest nature conservation organization. It was founded in 1953 by teachers, scientists and others who fought to save the Hula Wetlands. It works to protect Israel’s natural resources, biodiversity and landscapes for future generations.

The organization runs a network of field schools offering guided hikes and nature education for Israelis, tourists, school children and immigrants. It led early campaigns to stop wildflower picking through legal and educational means, and it built an environmental education program still active in schools across the country. Its Environmental Protection Division works on rivers, coastal management, the Sea of Galilee, metropolitan parks and legal advocacy, while its Open Landscape Institute works to preserve undeveloped land. Its Birding Division runs ornithological research and conservation centers and maintains thousands of kilometers of hiking trails, including the Israel National Trail.

Tens of thousands of households are members, and hundreds of thousands of people take part in its activities each year, including children in its nature and orienteering courses. The American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, known as Nature Israel, is a nonprofit based in the United States that raises funds to support the organization’s work in Israel. Related fundraising affiliates also operate in Canada, the United Kingdom and France.