- 1980 - Development of the firefighting system, including watchtowers
- 2011 - Rehabilitation by means of natural regeneration: After the devastating 2010 Carmel Forest fires, KKL-JNF takes a different approach and encourages the forest's natural regeneration. Today, the region is blooming and green.
- 2011 - National Outline Plan for Forestry and Afforestation: This plan,termed NOP 22 in short, is a landmark review and afforestation program drawn up by KKL-JNF and the Israeli government which effected essential change in the management of Israel's open spaces. It reviews all national forestry plans used until today, and advocates for sustainable afforestation that fits in with the character and topographical attributes in each area, and that contributes to its surroundings.
And today?
For many years, KKL-JNF was synonymous with planted pine forests in Israel. As awareness on the importance of biodiversity grew, our approach to forestry changed. Today’s forests barely resemble those of the past.
KKL-JNF's afforestation work operates according to the following principles of sustainability:
- Works with natural systems and not against them.
- Considers the needs of the public by opening its forests for their enjoyment.
- Protects its forests and other open spaces against encroachment by uncontrolled development.
- Manages its forests to encourage habitat, plant and animal diversity.
- Promotes natural regeneration following wildfires.
- Encourages the public to respect, appreciate and love the forest environment.
- Opens its forests to people for recreation in nature and public events.
KKL-JNF forests today are varied and open, a mix of conifers and native broadleafed species, each planted and managed to suit the topographical attributes and character of each region. The lush, green forests of the Galilee, for example, differ greatly from the Savvanah-like forests of the Negev, whose trees are spread more widely apart, and are planted to take full advantage of harvested floodwaters using a system of limans and shikhim (raised ridges along rows of planted trees, to trap floodwaters).