JNF Announces First-Ever Bird Watching Mission

Contact: Stuart Diamant-Cohne • JNF Regional Director • 410-486-3317 • sdcohen@jnf.org

August 2009 -- Spring is considered by many as the best time to visit Israel, and for good reason: hundreds of millions of birds pass through that tiny little strip of a country in the course of the great migration -- offering a most unique experience for birding aficionados and amateurs alike.

To coincide with the best of Israel’s spring migration that occurs from mid-March to mid-May, when the variety of species and sheer numbers of birds are exceptional, Jewish National Fund (JNF) is offering its first-ever Bird Watching and Nature Photography Mission, March 9-18, 2010.

“No one knows Israel better than JNF,” said mission chair Chet Stein. “With over 100 years of experience as caretaker of the land of Israel, JNF allows participants to see a side of Israel that other trips don’t. This itinerary was given a lot of thought and experts in the field of bird watching and nature photography were consulted to create a truly inspirational trip. Anyone who joins us will, without a doubt, experience something they never have before."

Highlights include night safaris of the Israeli desert to watch the desert birds come alive; early morning tours of wildlife preserves in the Dead Sea, Arava Valley, and Negev Desert; visits to the world-renowned bird sanctuaries of the Hula Valley up north and Eilat in the south; observing millions of birds -- more than 390 species -- on their journey from Europe to Africa; a stop at the Gamla Nature Reserve to observe a griffon vulture colony; a visit to Kibbutz Lotan, Israel’s first ecologically sustainable community, and more.

Adding even more spice to the itinerary, participants will meet with Dr. Yossi Leshem, a Tel Aviv University zoology professor who has made the problem of bird vs. aircraft an intensive area of study. His work, which was conducted in cooperation with the Israeli Air Force and the Ministry of Science, has resulted in a 76% decrease in the number of aircraft collisions caused by birds, saving $790 million and countless lives, both human and avian.

They will also enjoy a nature photography workshop with professional photographer Eyal Bartov, a visit to the Arava Institute -- the leading environmental educational institute in the Middle East -- and trips to visit Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva.

Bartov is a director and photographer for the National Geographic Channels, a leading nature photographer in Israel, and has traveled around the world guiding expeditions. As a nature guide, he is able to witness and photograph very unique moments  and scenes of animals, people, tribes, and landscapes.

Israel is situated at an intercontinental junction -- a bottleneck for migration routes. An estimated 500 million birds pass through every spring and autumn. In the fall, they make their way south to Africa and in the spring they return to Europe to mate and reproduce.

Located on a central migratory path, Israel attracts both professional and amateur birders, photographers and experts from all over the world to see the natural wonder.

The trip is open to anyone, including those who have never been to Israel and seasoned travelers alike. Land only price for this 10-day mission is $2,999. For information, please contact Stuart Diamant-Cohen at 301-589-8565 or sdcohen@jnf.org or visit www.jnf.org/travel.

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JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (JNF) began in 1901 as a dream and vision to reestablish a homeland in Israel for Jewish people everywhere. Jews the world over collected coins in iconic JNF Blue Boxes, purchasing land and planting trees until ultimately, their dream of a Jewish homeland was a reality. JNF gives all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.

JNF embodies both heart and action; our work is varied in scope but singular in benefit. We strive to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel’s residents, and translate these advancements to the world beyond. JNF is greening the desert with millions of trees, building thousands of parks, creating new communities and cities for generations of Israelis to call home, bolstering Israel’s water supply, helping develop innovative arid-agriculture techniques, and educating both young and old about the founding and importance of Israel and Zionism.

JNF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and United Nations NGO, which continuously earns top ratings from charity overseers.

For more information on JNF, call 888-JNF-0099 or visit www.jnf.org.