KKL-JNF's Aviv Eisenband speaks at the UNFF Roundtable on Forestry and Economic Development

Agronomist Aviv Eisenband, director of KKL-JNF's Forestry and Professional Development Department, spoke at the UNFF Forestry and Economic Development roundtable. The following is an excerpt from his speech:

Israel's policy on forests

In the last hundred years, human activities and overexploitation of natural resources in Israel have produced severe land degradation, erosion and salination. Since its establishment in 1948, the State of Israel has adopted public policies designed to restore, develop and manage its natural resources. Due to these activities, Israel is one of the few countries in the world that has more trees now than it had a century ago. Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF), acts as the Israeli Forest Service, maintains a policy of sustainable forest management, and has planted around 240 million trees and introduced regulations to control grazing and ensure effective water management.

Israel delegation at the 10th UNFF. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive

Israeli forests are multifunctional, providing system services to surrounding communities and ecological systems. Forests offer recreation areas and eco-tourism opportunities and these open spaces provide much needed 'green lungs' for city dwellers. Local communities are involved in the planning and development of parks and forests, ensuring a grassroots connection. All of these vital services are provided free of charge to all of Israel's residents.

How do forests benefit Israel's economy?

Forests in Israel play an important role in the economic development of peripheral areas, particularly through herd grazing amongst inhabitants of rural areas. This mutually beneficial arrangement provides local shepherds with free pasture for their herds in areas where shepherding is a major form of employment, while assisting in the prevention of forest fires by reducing underbrush.

Bedouin shepherd grazes his sheep in Adulam-France Park. Photo: Yossi Zamir, KKL-JNF Photo Archive

In low economic sectors and peripheral communities, forest maintenance and upkeep provide vital jobs and frequently constitute the primary means of income for entire families. Ecotourism is a newly developing field in Israel and many residents benefit financially by providing accommodations, events and activities in nature for local and foreign tourism.

In Israel, forests are not used for commercial timber production. However, some timber is produced as a result of forest maintenance. This wood by-product is distributed as firewood free of charge to local residents.

How do forests help Israel's environment?

Another vital ecological benefit provided by our forest systems is maintaining a healthy bee population. Israel through KKL's effort has kept the worldwide phenomenon known as the CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) at bay, through pro-active policies focusing on supporting local bee colonies. A diversity of nectar-producing plants is planted in order to support the healthy nutrition of bee hives.

Israel at the 10th UN Forum on Forests. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive

Through these efforts and applied research, Israel has accumulated extensive knowledge and advanced practical methods of combating desertification, afforestation in semi-arid regions, and ecological services of forests for the benefit of community and economic development of all of Israel's residents.

How do forests help Israel's environment?How can we work together to combat the effects of climate change?

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to forests across the world today. One of the likely scenarios of climate change is that Southern Europe will experience a rise in temperatures, resulting in a semi-arid climate and widespread desertification – in other words, a climate similar to that of Israel today. KKL has developed many techniques to manage forests in our challenging climate which we believe to be relevant to other countries in the region facing similar conditions. Likewise, we are certain that other countries have amassed knowledge and experience which can contribute to our development in these areas.

Water reservoir in Yatir Forest. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive

To confront better with those challenges, Israel proposes to establish a cross-regional Mediterranean cooperation in order to further the understanding of the effects of climate change on forests and ecosystems. We feel this to be a relevant and urgent necessity facing the entire Mediterranean region, and believe that proper resources, including funding can provide an important advantage in the face of the impending threat of climate change. KKL-jNF, the Israeli Forest Service, is willing to set aside initial funding for such a project of regional cooperation.