GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Jewish National Fund has worked to develop partnerships with a number of government and professional organizations to further cooperative relationships, conduct research, share technical expertise and obtain educational exchanges.

International Arid Land Consortium (IALC)

The International Arid Land Consortium was established in 1990 as a means of enhancing cooperation between Jewish National Fund, the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, select land grant universities throughout the United States and representative governments in the Middle East. The purpose of the IALC is to promote research and demonstration projects for the development, management, restoration and reclamation of arid and semi-arid lands in North America, the Middle East, and throughout the world.

The six research institutes are Desert Research Institute-Nevada, University of Arizona, University of Illinois, New Mexico State University, South Dakota State University, Texas A & M University- Kingsville. Israel is represented by Jewish National Fund, Egypt is represented by Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and Jordan is represented by the Higher Council of Technology.

The IALC web site has the results of numerous research endeavors funded in part by JNF. Click here to read articles about IALC.

U.S. Forest Service

In 1987, JNF began to have a relationship with the U.S. Forest Service. Since 1990, JNF and the Forest Service have worked under a memorandum of understanding that outlines joint work mitigating the effects of insects, fire and soil erosion, applying agro-forestry techniques and implementing forest resource management in Israel and the U.S.

This sharing of information has resulted in technical assistance, improved training and forestry education programs for field workers, and the application of better land and forest, fire, watershed, and timber management techniques on behalf of both agencies. In the area of watershed management and monitoring, JNF and the Forest Service are building on the past bilateral actions to build joint watershed assessment and monitoring activities with other countries in the eastern Mediterranean.

JNF and the Forest Service jointly issue recommendations on fire prevention and management, ways to protect the forests and its open spaces, as well as river rehabilitation and urban forestry. In addition to ongoing Tu B’Shevat programs, JNF and the U.S. Forest Service will work together in the next year to expand urban conservation education in key urban areas.

Click here to read articles about JNF and the U.S. Forest Service.

The United Nations

Beginning in 2002, Jewish National Fund made its debut on the international front as an environmental organization. In July 2004, JNF succeeded in obtaining registration with the United Nations as an international Non Governmental Organization (NGO).

JNF was the only Jewish NGO at the World Summit on Sustainable Development held by the United Nations in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2002. JNF presented four papers a the NGO Forum, co-presented with Israel at the International Conference and had an exhibit booth where information was disseminated. Jewish National Fund was one of the highlights of the International Conference (videotape available to update you on the Johannesburg Conference).

In September 2003, JNF presented its work in alleviating the water shortage in the Middle East at the annual DPI/NGO Conference at the United Nations. This workshop, moderated by former Senator Paul Simon, brought together academic-level presenters who spoke on JNF’s scientific accomplishments with water reclamation.

Ongoing involvement with the United Nations brings international public attention the important and relevant work of JNF.

National Government Relations Committee

In order to develop relationships and increase awareness of JNF and its programs among local, state and national environmental and elected officials, JNF formed a National Government Relations Committee comprised of representatives from across the nation. This committee works with elected federal officials and assists in obtaining funding and grants for various projects. Examples include grants to the IALC of which Jewish National Fund is a recipient, as well as support of the work of the U.S. Forest Service. National Government Relations Committee members are working to identify and establish contacts with state and local environment officials, as well as elected officials to increase awareness of JNF and to build a support network for co-sponsorships and future partnerships.