KKL-JNF and Biodiversity in Israel

 

KKL-JNF is responsible for all of Israel's forested areas – both planted and native woodlands – and is a major contributor to protecting and maintaining Israel's biodiversity. We fund a variety of ecological studies related to preserving and managing open landscapes, restoring disturbed habitats and afforestation. We also know that cultural diversity is closely linked to biological diversity and no less significant. Protecting soil and water resources is essential for preserving biodiversity. KKL-JNF plays a major role in this field:

  Controlling erosion and preventing desertification. Projects No 8851, 5444

  Protecting existing water sources and creating alternative: spring and river rehabilitation (Projects No 4138, 4683, 5791, 5784) and floodwater and recycled water reservoirs (Projects No 7037, 8124).

Many of the research projects funded by KKL-JNF are directly and indirectly related to biodiversity and preserving Israel's natural and cultural heritage. KKL-JNF projects related to preserving biodiversity in Israel:

Ensuring statutory protection for Israel's forests and woodlands by preparing plans to protect forests and other open spaces in Israel (NMP 22).

Conducting landscape surveys and surveys of natural and cultural values and applying results for planning open spaces. Project No 7939

Planning and managing planted forests with a focus on increasing and maintaining landscape, biological and cultural diversity. Projects No 8306, 5279, 7193, 7472

Creating "genetic banks" of local species by planting native plants in KKL-JNF nurseries and in special groves. Projects No 6397, 7642

Using biological warfare to fight pests in forest trees and environmentally-friendly herbicides.

Using controlled grazing to prevent fires and preserve understory diversity in forests and woodlands.

Restoring and rehabilitating areas disturbed by human activity including wildfires, most of which are of human origin in Israel. Projects No 8037, 8500, 5379

Restoring and rehabilitating desert areas using advance desert afforestation (savannization) methods. Project No 8851

Re-flooding the Hula Valley and creating Lake Agmon and its surroundings to attract hundreds of thousands of migrating birds, many of which stay over the winter.  Projects No 7745, 7767, 7756, 7836

Conducting and funding a variety of research projects relating to preserving Israel's biological and cultural diversity: integrated pest management, invasive species and native woodland management. Projects No 7014, 8844

Funding a network of agricultural R&D stations in peripheral areas in Israel that focus on environmentally-friendly solutions in agriculture. Projects No 5365,7926

Educating and creating environmental awareness in the public at large: guided excursions to sites of natural and cultural interest, community forestry and various planting activities involving the public. Projects No 7472, 8640