Reforestation work
The early JNF was also active in afforestation and reclamation of land. By 1935,
JNF had planted 1.7 million trees over a total area of 1,750 acres (7.08 km²)
and drained swamps, like those in the Hulah Valley. JNF has planted 240 million
trees to date.
Today, tree planting continues to fight desertification and create green "lungs"
for Israel's communities. Due to JNF's afforestation work, Israel is believed to
be one of the few countries, if not the only country, to end the twentieth
century with more trees than it began.
Water reclamation
Today, JNF’s water systems provide water for 1.2 million people all over the
country. By now, JNF has built more than 180 reservoirs and has committed to
build over 50 more reservoirs and water treatment plants in the next five years.
In the past decade, JNF has invested over $115 in reservoir construction,
increasing the country’s total storage capacity by 7% to over 35 billion gallons
of water.
JNF is also involved in numerous river rehabilitation projects all over Israel,
including the award-winning Alexander River Restoration Project in 2003. In 105
years, JNF has planted more than 240 million trees that beautify the land and
protect vital ecosystems, built over 1,000 parks and playgrounds for recreation
and tourism and invested in research that has led to scientific breakthroughs
that protect Israel’s environment and create agricultural innovations.
Environmental leadership
JNF’s collaborative work involves participation in the International Arid Land
Consortium, which explores the problems and solutions unique to arid and
semiarid regions. By developing sustainable ecological practices, the member
institutions enable people of arid lands to improve their quality of life.
