KKL-JNF Forestry

There is no better way to show KKL-JNF's impact on the land of Israel than through these photographs. They are the most articulate expressions of KKL-JNF's stewardship and development activities throughout the years, befitting the country and all its people.

*Use of the photos are for KKL-JNF productions/purposes only and requires giving credit to the photographer and KKL Photo Archive, Jerusalem. Any other use can lead to legal action.

Green Galilee

1953. The Galilee hills await planting. Photographer: Photo Erda

2008. Biriya Forest, the largest planted forest in the Galilee extends over the slopes between Tsfat and the Hula Valley. Photographer: Avi Hirscheld

Fighting Fire

2006. Biriya Forest has suffered from wars, fires and snow over the years. Photographer: Albatross Aerial Photography Ltd.

2014. Rehabilitating a forest takes years. Eight years after a war and wildfire, green dominates the once-damaged area and the forest is open to visitors. Photographer: MorDagan Aerial Photography

The Forest of the National Homeland

1928. The early settlers at Kibbutz Genigar made a living from planting the Balfour Forest. The forest was planted in honor of Lord Arthur James Balfour, the British Prime Minister who authored the Balfour Declaration that supported creating a national homeland for the Jewish People in Palestine. Photographer: Yosef Shmuel Schweig

2013. Balfour Forest, with its many recreation areas and bicycle paths, is the main recreation and leisure focus for the people of Migdal HaEmek. Photographer: Jinipix

Blessing the Mountain

1962. "Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain upon you", David cursed Mt. Gilboa following the death of King Saul and his sons in the battle against the Philistines. KKL-JNF foresters work to alleviate David’s curse. Photographer: David Hirshfeld

2009. Gilboa Scenic Lookout – From a bald mountain to one covered with green. Today it serves as a major leisure and recreation site for the northern region. Photographer: Ilan Lorenzo

For the first time in Zion.

1926. KKL-JNF’s first attempt at large scale afforestation was in the Ben Shemen Forest. Photographer: Yosef Shmuel Schweig

2014. Passover in the Ben Shemen Forest. Approximately 90 years later, the forest bursts with life all year round. The Ben Shemen Forest is the largest "green lung" in Central Israel, covering some 2,200 hectares. Photographer: Avigail Uzi.

This is where it all grows from.

1951. New immigrants prepare plots at the KKL-JNF Eshtaol Tree Nursery for seedings. The resulting seedlings will grow into saplings. These saplings were the source for the forest trees that now cover the Jerusalem Hills. Photographer: KKL-JNF Photo Archive

2014. Seedlings being prepared at the new, modern tree nursery at Eshtaol for planting in the heart of the country. Photographer: Haim Sahar

On the way to the city

1961. An exposed slope in the Jerusalem Hills. Since then KKL-JNF has painted the hills green. Photographer: Alex Strajmaister

2009. Green forests welcome the travelers at Sha’ar HaGai, on the highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Photographer: Yossi Zamir

Angels Forest at Shahariya

1967. Unemployed provided planting work in the forest Photographer: David Hirshfeld.

2015. The Shahariya Forest invites the public to enjoy its picnic and leisure sites, play sculptures, and walking and cycling trails, all developed by KKL-JNF over the years. Photographer: Edi Israel

Switzerland at Lake Kinneret

1987. The steep slopes west of the Kinneret were in danger of collapsing on the road south of Tiberias. The Switzerland Forest was planted to stabilize the slope. Photographer: Joe Malcolm

2015. KKL-JNF seized the opportunity and overcame the difficult topography, paving the way and opening up the spectacular views of the Sea of Galilee (the Kinneret) and the Golan Heights for all to enjoy. Photographer: Albatross Aerial Photography Ltd.

A forest in the desert

1965. The Yatir Forest was planted at the edge of the desert “against all odds”. KKL-JNF foresters have become internationally famous for desert afforestation. Photographer: Yehuda Hanegbi

2003. The trees at Yatir Forest surround the reservoir built by KKL-JNF. The water in the reservoir is used to irrigate orchards and groves belonging to nearby communities. Photographer: Mordagan Aerial Photography

Martyrs' Forest — A Living Memorial in the Jerusalem Hills.

1952. Diaspora communities planted six million trees in the Martyrs' Forest in the Jerusalem Hills; one tree for every person who perished in the Holocaust. Photographer: Avraham Malavski

2012. Norwegian delegation at the Martyrs' Forest on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Memorial ceremonies are held annually at the site. Photographer: Yoav Dvir

1948. Sickle and Sword. Working in the vegetable garden at Kibbutz Be'eri, near the Gaza Strip, is safer under the watchful eye of a guard. Photographer: Lasar Dunner

2013. Be’eri Forest – a dream come true! The amazing anemones flowering in the forest in winter draw thousands of visitors to the famous “Red South” Festival. Photographer: Avi Hirschfield