Israel has no need — ecologically or otherwise — for more industrially planted forests in our open spaces. These trees actually harm Israel’s scrubland ecosystem. Instead, tree planting in Israel must be mindful and appropriate for the habitat. With your help, we will hand-plant specially selected trees in Israeli habitats over the next year.

In Jerusalem, we operate two very special urban nature sites. At the Nili and David Jerusalem Bird Observatory, we plant olive, oak, and fruit trees to attract birds and insects and provide shade for our visitors. At the Gazelle Valley Park, we plant apple, cherry, and plum trees to continue restoring this special valley once known as the “breadbasket of Jerusalem.” Volunteers will plant these trees as part of our community educational programs.

In the Jordan Valley, at Kibbutz Kfar Ruppin, we are creating wetland nature reserves out of failed fish farms in an ambitious project to restore safe and critical feeding stopover sites for migrating birds. To this end, we plant trees such as poplars, plums, pomegranates and acacia throughout these nascent reserves to provide nesting habitats, attract wildlife, and restore the ecosystem for generations to come.

On the campuses of SPNI’s iconic Field Schools, we operate centers of nature protection and education in varied habitats throughout the country. We will plant trees for shade, landscaping, and wildlife feeding in the Galilee, along the Mediterranean coast, the Ein Gedi, the Negev, the Arava and Eilat.

If you would like to sponsor a mindfully planted tree planted by SPNI, we suggest making a gift of $118 to cover the costs of planting and nurturing one tree, $360 for three trees or $1000 for ten trees.

Your support will ensure that:

• Every tree will be the right tree in the right habitat contributing to the healthy functioning of the native ecosystem
• Every tree will be part of an ecological and community-based conservation project
• Every tree Will be planted and lovingly cared for in perpetuity by our staff and volunteers

Donate now to plant a tree in Israel with SPNI. Mindfully.

If you would like to make this gift in honor or memory of someone, please make a notation when prompted while donating, and we will send them a personalized certificate.

THIS TU B’SHEVAT, AND ALWAYS,  THANK YOU FOR MINDFUL TREE-PLANTING.