Israel Land Authority Approves 250 Million Shekels for Ecological Projects
The Israel Land Authority's Open Spaces Fund has approved 250 million shekels for 153 environmental projects, prioritizing northern communities affected by the conflict and funding ecosystem restorations.
The Open Spaces Preservation Fund of the Israel Land Authority has approved an investment of approximately a quarter of a billion shekels for 153 environmental and ecological projects across the country. The funds, approved during a board meeting chaired by acting ILA director and fund chairman Yehuda Eliyahu, are earmarked for restoring streams and ecosystems, establishing parks, preserving natural values, and providing public access to open spaces.
Among the funded projects are the establishment of the Nahal and Katzrin Forest promenade with an investment of 5.65 million shekels, and the development of the Motsa Nahal Tavor park in Nof Hagalil for the same amount. Additional allocations include 5.07 million shekels for the Nahal Hanita project, designed to connect the city of Shlomi to the sea, and 4.52 million shekels for the restoration of the middle Nahal Tavor in the Jezreel Valley.
Prioritizing the North and Funding Flexibility
Against the backdrop of the prolonged conflict and the damage to northern settlements, the fund management decided to grant special priority to projects in the confrontation line area. As part of this decision, exceptional flexibilities in funding conditions were approved, allowing local authorities to continue advancing environmental projects even if previous budgets have not yet been fully utilized.
In Kiryat Shmona, a budget of 5.65 million shekels was approved for the Nahal Zahav and Western Canal confluence project. In the Mateh Asher Regional Council, 5.55 million shekels will be invested in the ecological development and restoration of Nahal Yissaf, including a promenade path and improved regional connectivity.
Long-Term Commitment to Open Spaces
The Open Spaces Preservation Fund has been operating since 2013 to protect natural areas outside built environments, restore ecosystems, and develop leisure and recreation spaces. Its budget is based on an annual allocation of one percent of the Israel Land Authority revenues. According to the authority's data, since the fund's inception, budgets have been approved for approximately 1,450 projects with a cumulative scope of about 2.4 billion shekels.
"We view the preservation of open spaces as a core pillar in responsible and balanced national planning," said Yehuda Eliyahu, acting ILA director and fund chairman. He noted that the investment is designed to balance Israel's accelerated housing and development needs with the protection of natural and landscape resources.
