environment Environment

Improving the health and resilience of ecological systems in natural, agricultural and urban areas, to benefit people and nature

Yad Hanadiv works to strengthen Israel’s ecosystems through spatial planning; promoting policies that protect open spaces; habitat restoration; regenerative agriculture; embedding green and blue infrastructure in urban areas; and deepening the connection between people and nature. The Environment Programme advances practical terrestrial and marine initiatives. These include a network of marine reserves in the Mediterranean, integrated river basin restoration, and increased natural shading in urban spaces. The Programme is also working to rehabilitate the Zipori River and promote regenerative agriculture for soil restoration. Parallel efforts to advance open spaces in Arab municipalities are taking root. Our work encourages public engagement by strengthening the connection between people and nature, and by fostering shared responsibility for the environment.
31 Urban forestry initiatives
20km Zipori River trail
8% Marine Protected Areas
50 River stewardship groups

Major Initiatives

07
Initiative

Marine Protected Areas

Advancing the resilience of marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean

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2023
Initiative

River and Watershed Rehabilitation

Supporting an integrated approach to managing natural resources and ecosystems for river rehabilitation in Israel

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Initiative

Zipori River Park

Rehabilitation to provide social and ecological benefits and inspire future initiatives

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Initiative

Urban Forestry and Shading

Addressing climate change through forestation

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Initiative

Open Spaces in Arab Municipalities

Promoting green open spaces in Arab local authorities via community-driven planning

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Initiative

Regenerative Agriculture

Bringing farmers and researchers together to drive innovation that improves soil health, ecosystems and climate resilience

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Project

Ramat Hanadiv – Human and Nature Park

Deepening the connection between people and nature

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Our team

Hanoch Ilsar

Programme Director, Environment

Since joining Yad Hanadiv in 2016, Hanoch has led the Environment Programme with a focus on establishing Marine Protected Areas to improve Mediterranean ecosystems, alongside advancing river rehabilitation. He previously served as CEO of the Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, where he advanced a wide range of initiatives, including the Mimshak Science to Policy Fellows programme, the Hebrew-language journal Ecology and Environment, and Zavit – a news agency for Science and the Environment. Prior to that, he served as Head of the Energy and Air Pollution Department at the Israel Union for Environmental Defense (Adam Teva V’Din), where he led the enactment of the ‘Clean Air for Israel’ Act. Hanoch holds an LLB in Law and Philosophy from The Hebrew University and an MSc in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford.
Since joining Yad Hanadiv in 2016, Hanoch has led the Environment Programme with a focus on establishing Marine Protected Areas to improve Mediterranean ecosystems, alongside advancing river rehabilitation. He previously served as CEO of the Israel Society for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, where he advanced a wide range of initiatives, including the Mimshak Science to Policy Fellows programme, the Hebrew-language journal Ecology and Environment, and Zavit – a news agency for Science and the Environment. Prior to that, he served as Head of the Energy and Air Pollution Department at the Israel Union for Environmental Defense (Adam Teva V’Din), where he led the enactment of the ‘Clean Air for Israel’ Act. Hanoch holds an LLB in Law and Philosophy from The Hebrew University and an MSc in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford.

Rammy Sheinfeld

Senior Programme Officer, Environment

As Senior Programme Officer, Rammy advances strategic initiatives within the Environment Programme. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, he was Senior Adviser to the Director of the Courts Administration in Israel, dealing with the design and implementation of policy. He was also involved in multi-year strategic planning and innovative projects, including a digital transformation of the courts system. Rammy previously was a Criminal Prosecutor for the Central District. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy, both from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is also a licensed tour guide, having completed studies at Yad Ben Zvi. Rammy joined Yad Hanadiv in 2023.
As Senior Programme Officer, Rammy advances strategic initiatives within the Environment Programme. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, he was Senior Adviser to the Director of the Courts Administration in Israel, dealing with the design and implementation of policy. He was also involved in multi-year strategic planning and innovative projects, including a digital transformation of the courts system. Rammy previously was a Criminal Prosecutor for the Central District. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy, both from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is also a licensed tour guide, having completed studies at Yad Ben Zvi. Rammy joined Yad Hanadiv in 2023.

Shiri Heffer

Senior Programme Officer, Environment

Shiri is Senior Programme Officer in the Environment Programme. She has extensive experience in overseeing environmental, innovation, and climate policy strategies, integrating economic and financial analysis. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, Shiri served as the Sustainability and Food Security Senior Manager at GFI Israel, where she promoted alternative proteins and developed strategic partnerships with climate investors and key stakeholders. In the past, she managed the energy and waste management division at Ernst & Young, and also served as a senior economic adviser to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and to local authorities. Shiri holds a BA in Economics and Accounting from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an MA in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Haifa. She is a certified public accountant and a graduate of the Milken Institute Leadership Programme. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2026.
Shiri is Senior Programme Officer in the Environment Programme. She has extensive experience in overseeing environmental, innovation, and climate policy strategies, integrating economic and financial analysis. Prior to joining Yad Hanadiv, Shiri served as the Sustainability and Food Security Senior Manager at GFI Israel, where she promoted alternative proteins and developed strategic partnerships with climate investors and key stakeholders. In the past, she managed the energy and waste management division at Ernst & Young, and also served as a senior economic adviser to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and to local authorities. Shiri holds a BA in Economics and Accounting from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an MA in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Haifa. She is a certified public accountant and a graduate of the Milken Institute Leadership Programme. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2026.

Ahlam Switat

Programme Officer, Environmental Affairs in Arab Community

As Programme Officer for Environmental Affairs in Arab Community, Ahlam promotes and develops environmental initiatives dedicated to preserving and improving natural open spaces in Arab local authorities. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2022. Prior to that, she worked as a civil attorney and subsequently in management, strategic planning and economic development in local Arab authorities. She holds an LLB in Law and an MA in Public Policy from the University of Haifa, and an MA in Geography and Urban Planning, with a specialization in Environment from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
As Programme Officer for Environmental Affairs in Arab Community, Ahlam promotes and develops environmental initiatives dedicated to preserving and improving natural open spaces in Arab local authorities. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2022. Prior to that, she worked as a civil attorney and subsequently in management, strategic planning and economic development in local Arab authorities. She holds an LLB in Law and an MA in Public Policy from the University of Haifa, and an MA in Geography and Urban Planning, with a specialization in Environment from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Naama Mor

Environment Programme Coordinator

Naama coordinates the activity of the Environment Programme team in support of the Environment portfolio. Before joining Yad Hanadiv, Naama was Director of Human Resources at Rafa Laboratories for 23 years and was Office Manager at Jerusalem Venture Partners – a Venture Capital firm located in Jerusalem. Naama has a BA in Social Sciences from the Open University of Israel. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2018.
Naama coordinates the activity of the Environment Programme team in support of the Environment portfolio. Before joining Yad Hanadiv, Naama was Director of Human Resources at Rafa Laboratories for 23 years and was Office Manager at Jerusalem Venture Partners – a Venture Capital firm located in Jerusalem. Naama has a BA in Social Sciences from the Open University of Israel. She joined Yad Hanadiv in 2018.

Michal Magora

Grant Ops Coordinator, Education & Environment

Michal is responsible for administering, monitoring and coordinating operational aspects of grant making for the Environment and Education programmes. She assists programme staff on workflow, due diligence and regulatory compliance. She has been employed at Yad Hanadiv since 1988.
Michal is responsible for administering, monitoring and coordinating operational aspects of grant making for the Environment and Education programmes. She assists programme staff on workflow, due diligence and regulatory compliance. She has been employed at Yad Hanadiv since 1988.

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