AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURE ISRAEL INC
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Mission Statement
SPNI, Israel's oldest and largest environmental NGO, protects Israel's natural resources and dwindling open space from urban sprawl with alternative sustainable development proposals. Focus on nature education for Israeli youth, adults, immigrant groups. Involved in planning decisions on all levels of government. Conservation programs, field schools at scenic locations, bird watching, nature guides.
About This Cause
SPNI is a household name in Israel, beloved and valued for its legacy of advocacy of keeping Israel beautiful. In the United States, we go by Nature Israel (ASPNI). OUR HISTORY: In 1952, the new state of Israel decided to drain the Hula Wetlands for agriculture. Concerned about the adverse impact of this plan, a group of scientists, teachers and nature lovers formed the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI). Their first campaign aimed to prevent drainage of the wetlands, but the plan was approved. This resulted in the wetlands being transformed into a large scale flammable peat bed, with wind erosion blowing off over six feet of soil and creating spontanous wildfires. More than 40 years later, the Israeli government recognized the mistake and re-flooded portions of the Hula. This has enabled the return of birds and other species, some endangered. Today the Hula is a major ecotourism destination with the gradual restoration of flocks of 420 species of birds including the resident and migrating majestic Eurasian cranes. In its 70 years of continuous operation, SPNI has been at the forefront of environmental protection: through public education and campaigns on key issues, nature education and camps for school children, youth orienteering, programs for immigrant groups in their native tongues, recreational family outings, and on every level community and governmental planning boards. SPNI's long-term approach weds people and nature, with the idea that a population that appreciates its resources will be motivated to protect them. OUR PROGRAMS & PRIORITIES: SPNI inventoried the land, identifying and designating areas that have become parks and preserves. SPNI has established a chain of field schools in the country's most scenic areas: Ein Gedi, Mitzpe Ramon, Eilta, Achziv, and Mt. Hermon, from which it provides inexpensive accommodations for SPNI tours for families, young people, community groups, and ecotourists. Of note, its nature education curriculum has been adopted by the Ministry of Education to be used in Israels elementary schools. SPNI campaigns have protected public access to the last remaining Mediterranean coastline. SPNI founded the Israel National Trail which created, marked, and maintains the 627 mile hike from the Lebanese border to Eilat, which National Geographic named in 2012 as one of its "Holy Grails of Hikes." SPNI was also involved in establishing the trail that circles the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), after years of private owndership had blocked access for public usage. A new emphasis is on urban environmentalism in recognition of the increasingly urban population. Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Be'er Sheva have SPNI branch offices where green space within the cities is vigorously defended and used for nature programs and community gardens. There are campaigns to restore polluted riverbeds, anti-littering programs, preservation and expansion of wildlife habitat, reintroduction of threatened species. Most recently, since October 7, 2023, SPNI has run national ecotherapy programs for families, school and community groups, and teens as a form of trauma resilience and recovery. GRATITUDE FOR OUR DONORS & SUPPORTERS: We are immeasurably grateful for the generous support of our donors, who make our work possible. Charity Navigator has awarded Nature Israel/ASPNI its highest 4-star rating for the ninth year, a category only 9% of US nonprofits attain. Please visit our website and social media to learn more about our life-giving work: www.natureisrael.com, https://www.facebook.com/SPNI.EN, https://www.instagram.com/aspni.natureisrael.