Supporting the Migration Flyway
Supporting half a billion birds on the world’s most important migration fly route.
Due to its unique location at the juncture of three continents, Israel is a major landing spot for these birds coming and going from nesting locations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They stop to eat and refuel or stay for the winter. Israel’s wetlands, plants, and insects are critical to sustaining this migration. SPNI is creating critical new habitats as feeding sites to ensure the birds can have a successful journey.
Supporting the Migration Flyway
Supporting half a billion birds on the world’s most important migration fly route.
Due to its unique location at the juncture of three continents, Israel is a major landing spot for these birds coming and going from nesting locations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They stop to eat and refuel or stay for the winter. Israel’s wetlands, plants, and insects are critical to sustaining this migration. SPNI is creating critical new habitats as feeding sites to ensure the birds can have a successful journey.
Rewilding Fish Ponds
Rewilding former fishponds into wetland nature reserves to reverse biodiversity loss.
Israel’s wetlands, plants, and insects are critical to sustaining the migration of birds flying over Israel to the Eurasian landmass. To recreate lost wetlands, Nature Israel re-wilds former fishponds into wetland nature reserves that provide safe nesting places for these birds on their migration. Our Start-Up Nature project will ensure the long-term viability of these wetlands by creating a permanent endowment for the two sites already acquired. This is the first step in creating a network of world-class wildlife sanctuaries around Israel. These sanctuaries, with visitors’ centers and accessible trails, will allow more than 150,000 local and international visitors each year to have personal encounters with 300 species of birds.
Rewilding Fish Ponds
Rewilding former fishponds into wetland nature reserves to reverse biodiversity loss.
Israel’s wetlands, plants, and insects are critical to sustaining the migration of birds flying over Israel to the Eurasian landmass. To recreate lost wetlands, Nature Israel re-wilds former fishponds into wetland nature reserves that provide safe nesting places for these birds on their migration. Our Start-Up Nature project will ensure the long-term viability of these wetlands by creating a permanent endowment for the two sites already acquired. This is the first step in creating a network of world-class wildlife sanctuaries around Israel. These sanctuaries, with visitors’ centers and accessible trails, will allow more than 150,000 local and international visitors each year to have personal encounters with 300 species of birds.
Sharing Solutions Regionally
Advancing environmental solutions cooperatively with our Middle East neighbors.
SPNI has developed an array of educational programs that bring together Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians, including our shared avifauna, “Birds Know No Borders.” The cross-border pest control project introduces carnivorous barn owls to the fields to control rodent populations as an alternative to pesticides. Helping Jordanians and Palestinians overcome their cultural fear of barn owls who traditionally are seen as harbingers of evil spirits, brings farmers from across the border together.
Sharing Solutions Regionally
Advancing environmental solutions cooperatively with our Middle East neighbors.
SPNI has developed an array of educational programs that bring together Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians, including our shared avifauna, “Birds Know No Borders.” The cross-border pest control project introduces carnivorous barn owls to the fields to control rodent populations as an alternative to pesticides. Helping Jordanians and Palestinians overcome their cultural fear of barn owls who traditionally are seen as harbingers of evil spirits, brings farmers from across the border together.
Advancing Solar Energy
Leveraging photovoltaic solar energy.
SPNI believes that the most sustainable method of generating electricity from renewable sources is through solar panels on roofs. We are advocating for solar panels on all rooftops of all public buildings, and incentivizing solar panels on private rooftops. This project aims to upgrade the current ‘Dud Shemesh’ solar hot water heaters, which are ubiquitous across Israel’s 4 million households. Additionally, we are installing (Photo-Voltaic-Thermal) PVT systems in SPNI’s nine field schools. It is estimated that PVT systems would reduce the electricity bill of each field school by 20%.
Advancing Solar Energy
Leveraging photovoltaic solar energy.
SPNI’s professional opinion is that the most sustainable method of generating electricity from renewable sources is by placing solar panels on roofs. This project upgrades the current ‘Dud Shemesh’ solar hot water heaters, which are ubiquitous across Israel’s 4 million households, by installing (Photo-Voltaic-Thermal) PVT systems in SPNI’s nine field schools. It is estimated that PVT systems would reduce the electricity bill of each field school by 20%.
Promoting Urban Nature
Advancing urban nature for people’s health and well-being.
Expected to be the most densely developed country in the OECD, Israel is facing intense pressure to utilize its land reserves to house its increased population. SPNI helps protect against the destruction of Israel’s dwindling, precious open spaces. SPNI’s urban planners work together with national, district, and municipal leaders to create plans to make Israel’s cities better places to live, preserving key open spaces, promoting more efficient public transport, and ensuring the public’s concerns are heard by decision-makers.
Promoting Urban Nature
Advancing urban nature for people’s health and well-being.
Expected to be the most densely developed country in the OECD, Israel is facing intense pressure to utilize its land reserves to house its increased population. SPNI helps protect against the destruction of Israel’s dwindling, precious open spaces. SPNI’s urban planners work together with national, district, and municipal leaders to create plans to make Israel’s cities better places to live, preserving key open spaces, promoting more efficient public transport, and ensuring the public’s concerns are heard by decision-makers.
Protecting the Mediterranean Sea
Creating marine-protected areas, protecting species and habits, regulating fishing, and more.
As the largest natural area in Israel, the Mediterranean Sea provides oxygen for breathing, novel medicines, eco-tourism, and education, as well as being home to unique ecosystems. Our Blue Half project is promoting a comprehensive environmental reform to protect this marine environment including protecting all unique habitats and endangered species in the marine reserves, advocating for sustainable fisheries practices, mainstreaming ecological considerations for development activities, and promoting public participation in marine conservation through our Sea Watch app. Read more on our Blue Half site.
Protecting the Mediterranean Sea
Creating marine-protected areas, protecting species and habits, regulating fishing, and more.
As the largest natural area in Israel, the Mediterranean Sea provides oxygen for breathing, novel medicines, eco-tourism, and education, as well as being home to unique ecosystems. Our Blue Half project is promoting a comprehensive environmental reform to protect this marine environment including protecting all unique habitats and endangered species in the marine reserves, advocating for sustainable fisheries practices, mainstreaming ecological considerations for development activities, and promoting public participation in marine conservation through our Sea Watch app. Read more on our Blue Half site.