At the crossroads of three continents, Israel’s natural features are remarkable. Despite its small landmass, high population density and the scarcity of water and other natural resources, the country is replete with unique ecosystems, making it a biodiversity ‘hotspot’. But development needs are often at odds with environmental concerns and this has resulted in the degraded and fragile state of many ecosystems that underpin Israelis’ well-being.
The Environment Programme at Yad Hanadiv was established just over a decade ago with the aim of improving the resilience and health of Israel’s natural, agricultural and urban ecosystems. Early efforts were geared towards generating scientific knowledge and infrastructures in the service of informed policy making. These included establishment of the Water Research Institute at the Technion, better understanding and planning of open landscape and land use (the Deshe Institute), supporting research and practice at the intersection of agriculture and environment (Nekudat Hen), systematic biodiversity monitoring by Hamaarag, the Israel Taxonomy Initiative, and science-to-policy fellowship programmes (Mimshak). In 2007 Yad Hanadiv established the Environment and Health Fund (EHF), which now emphasizes reducing exposure of the public to harmful chemicals.
Current strategies are working to establish a network of Marine Protected Areas and to rehabilitate Israel’s rivers and streams through integrated river basin management. We recognize the essential need for collaboration with government agencies and NGOs, while emphasizing professional knowledge, science-based policy and long-term planning.
Major Initiatives
Yad Hanadiv's core strategies and major areas of focus
Nekudat Hen
Nekudat Hen was established by Yad Hanadiv in 1999, and has been operating in conjunction with the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences since 2017. Advancing projects at the intersection between agriculture and environmental concerns, the programme aims to build professional and interdisciplinary knowledge infrastructure for multi-functional agriculture in Israel, based on the premise that intelligently managed agriculture can be an important source of food and livelihood, while protecting the environment and preserving human culture and heritage.
Nekudat Hen provides opportunities for researchers in agriculture, biology, and environmental studies; agronomists; farmers; activists in environmental protection organisations and policy makers in relevant fields to meet, study and exchange ideas. The projects it advances contribute to the creation of a common language and stimulate knowledge-based dialogue among stakeholders and practitioners in the agricultural arena.
Nekudat Hen Website
Resources
Resources
Yad Hanadiv's own publications and media, materials produced by our grantees, and other items we have found useful in our work
Integrated River Basin Approach: Policy Paper and Roadmap
Zippori Stream Map
