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This unique environmental education program developed by SPNI, involving at-risk populations in Israel, including, Orthodox Jews, Arab-Israeli and Jewish youths. This program importance of preserving nature in Israel in emphasizing the social impact that it has on the most vulnerable part of society.
Research has shown that activities that involve time and connection with nature have a very significant effect on health and well-being. Children with ADHD and other learning disabilities are able to concentrate better after only a short time outside each day. Being in nature increases our sense of well-being and happiness. Many educators have seen first-hand the benefit nature has on children and teens with special needs. In Israel, it is increasingly difficult for special education classes to experience nature.
The core of the activities is the bird banding station. This is the main attraction for groups coming from Jerusalem and its surroundings. The funding for this project will subsidize activities for special education classrooms in the Jerusalem area, allowing them to partake in a series of educational and scientific research activities.
The project started this spring of 2024 and is planned to continue throughout the year, and for the next 3 years.
The project will include three phases:
Phase 1: Training and Outreach
Training of JBO (Jerusalem Birding Observatory) educational staff on the best practices of environmental education with children, teens and young adults with special needs
Outreach to special education classrooms and programs in the Jerusalem area
Development of appropriate materials and programs to meet the needs of all the groups
Recruitment of guides representing the Ultra-Orthodox and Arabic-speaking communities
Phase 2: Visits to the JBO
On-site visits to the Jerusalem Bird Observatory where students will have the opportunity to interact with nature and learn about the research being conducted. Where possible, they will also participate in hands-on conservation and public science activities.
Phase 3: Volunteer Opportunities for Teens and Young Adults
The JBO has been working with volunteers from Shekel (a work experience program for young adults with special needs) and Shikum Noar (a high school program for teens with special needs) for about 15 years without cost to the schools. This project will enable us to continue to provide staff to work with these groups through the next 3 years. These groups are paired up with National Service Volunteers working with the JBO and together, they help to manage the site for wildlife, to monitor the gazelles, birds and plants, and to learn about their natural environment.
The program will attract thousands of unprivileged young people from all backgrounds. Children will learn about the importance of preservation of nature, climate change, sustainability, and coexistence between all aspects of society. These issues will be a monumental basis for future peace by sharing similar goals.
One small country.
A global responsibility.
We are actively reclaiming former commercial fish ponds throughout northern and central Israel and rewilding them into wetland sanctuaries that will protect a globally critical migration fly route forever.
SPNI is combining the country’s innovative spirit and decades of conservation success to not only secure
the flyway for these hundreds of millions of birds, but open this natural treasure to the public like never before, and create a revolutionary, replicable model for nature restoration and sustainable development
everywhere.
Start-Up Nature is the brainchild of SPNI’s CEO Dan Alon, the visionary behind the restored Hula Lake Park. The site serves as a second home to millions of migratory birds and is Northern Israel’s leading tourist destination, generating up to $27M with over 400,000
visitors annually.
The Hula Lake Park took the first step toward
securing the international flyway, and Dan Alon
and the SPNI team are drawing on his experience
and research to finish the job. Read more...
A major capital project to re-imagine and renovate SPNI’s network of Field Schools and bring nature
education into the 21st Century.
SPNI’s Field Schools are at the heart of the organization’s activities. The vision behind their
establishment was to create a place where unique and meaningful encounters between humans and
nature could take place. Today these facilities are SPNI's main activity centres. They offer experiential educational programming, guided tours and comfortable, while tastefully rustic lodging, in immediate
proximity to Israel's nature and hiking trails.
Beyond their role as educational centres, the field schools remain a critical source of income for SPNI,
helping maintain the organization’s financial independence with the profits strengthening the
conservation and nature protection projects. SPNI's network of field schools was built in the 1950’s and
'60s. They have begun to physically deteriorate. They are in urgent need of renovation. This project is to
raise the funds needed for the physical renovations of these centres in order to carry out a full
educational program regarding the flora and fauna protection.
How do the activities help achieve the charities stated purpose?
SPNI’s Field Schools are one of the most important early nature experiences for children and youth from
all backgrounds. Nearly every Israeli has stayed at and enjoyed the Field Schools at some time during their youth. Normally on a family vacation or during an overnight school trip. They are the first
introductions for many Israelis to this country’s vibrant nature. These experiences help build
environmental awareness among young people and inspire them to become more environmentally
aware, active and involved.
The addition of cutting edge features to provide a seamless user experience for SeaWatch reporters and first responders.
The SeaWatch application was launched due to challenges enforcing violations in the sea and nature reserves. This led to increasing pollution and the death of endangered species. The app allows citizens to report incidents in real-time and receive updates on the progress of the response.
Enhancing the app will improve the protection of the sea.
SPNI intends to establish a group of professional volunteers that will lead in-field operations such as abandoned gear and debris removal / disposal, tracking suspected illegal fishing activity, etc.
Your generous donation today will help protect Israel's rich yet fragile biodiversity.
With your help, we will protect millions of birds, thousands of species of flowers, and endangered animals such as the Israeli Gazelle. Your investment is critical to protecting and preserving Israel's nature for years to come.
Nature Israel (CSPNI) stands with Israel during this difficult time. We hope for everybody's safety as we extend our hearts from Canada, where we are following the events closely. Sending love to our loved ones, families, friends and all the citizens of Israel.
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