06 Oct Over a Million Dunams Protected: A Landmark Victory for Israeli Wildlife and Treasured Landscapes
In one of the most significant conservation victories in recent years, the National Outline Plan for Ecological Corridors in the Southern District has officially been approved. Spanning 60% of Israel’s total land area, this plan permanently safeguards over one million dunams (approx. 250,000 acres) of nature reserves, national parks, and open forest lands.
This historical landmark comes 26 years after the concept of an “ecological corridor” was first introduced in Israel, transforming decades of scientific advocacy into nationwide statutory protection.
What This Approval Means for Israel’s Nature
Cliff of Tamrur. Photo by Ein Gedi Field School
The newly approved plan gives vital living room back to Israel’s native flora and fauna:
- Upgraded Legal Protection (4.5% of National Land)
Existing reserves, national parks, and forests—previously guarded only by local or regional regulations—have been elevated to the highest level of national statutory protection. - New Protected Territory (350,000 Dunams)
An additional 350,000 dunams (1.5% of Israel’s total landmass) have been newly designated for national protection to expand nature reserves and maintain continuous open spaces.
Why Ecological Corridors Are Essential for Survival
A wolf surveying the desert. Photo by Yuval Dax
Nature reserves cannot safeguard biodiversity if they exist as isolated islands cut off by highways, urban sprawl, or industrial development.
An ecological corridor is a continuous strip of natural land that connects distinct habitats. This uninterrupted connectivity is essential because it allows wildlife to:
- Migrate and roam safely: Animals like gazelles, wolves, and desert mammals can move freely across regions to find food, water, and shelter.
- Maintain genetic diversity: Unrestricted movement allows different populations to meet and breed, exchanging genetic material necessary to resist diseases and adapt to climate change.
- Recover from environmental crises: When extreme weather or natural disasters strike isolated pockets, connected corridors allow species to repopulate affected areas.
A Quarter-Century in the Making
Passing this plan required 26 years of persistent work by environmental leaders, scientific experts, and dedicated advocates. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) worked alongside key partners to achieve this milestone, including:
- The Planning Administration
- The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA)
- KKL-JNK
- The Ministry of Environmental Protection
- Partner Environmental NGOs
Looking Ahead
While securing over a million dunams in the South is a monumental success, SPNI’s Nature Conservation Division remains focused on expanding ecological corridor protections to central and northern Israel, ensuring that nature across the entire country remains connected and resilient for generations to come.