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Bird Watching and Nature Photography Mission to Israel
Mar 9 2010 9:00 AM	email to a friend \| bookmark

Venue:	Israel
Contact Website:	N/A
Contact:	www.jnf.org
Organization:	Jewish National Fund
Cost:
Sponsors:
Is In Hebrew:

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.