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Palestine Wildlife Society. Activities of the year 2005.
I. Summer and winter Environmental Awareness Centers. 1. Holding the 5th winter camp in Jericho in cooperation with the Directorate of Education of Jericho from 10-13/Jan /05. The activities included a tour of the Botanic Garden, and visits to Hisham Palace and Qruntol Mountain. About 30 students, girls and boys, participated in this activity.
2. Holding the 6th summer camp in Hebron district in cooperation with the Palestinian Child for Arts in Hebron. The activities lasted for one week and they included lectures about environmental awareness, the concept of ‘school clubs’ for the protection of nature, the importance of water in nature, and garbage and its affect on our environment. The camp carried out field visits to Hebron municipality; water springs in the city, Solomon’s Pools, Artas village, and the old city in Bethlehem including the Nativity Church. Many environmental activities were carried out by the students, mainly about garbage and water who recognized the natural places and their antiquities in Palestine. Some environmental films were shown about birds and biodiversity. About 30 students participated in these activities.
3. Holding the 7th summer camp in Bethlehem district. The activities included lectures about environmental awareness, the concepts and activities of the school clubs for the protection of nature, and the importance of water in nature. The participants visited water well in Duheisha Camp, and Beit Jala municipality where they exchanged ideas about garbage with its Mayor. They also carried out some field activities such as environmental surveying of garbage and water. Some environmental films were shown about birds and biodiversity.
4. Holding the 8th summer camp in Ramallah district. About 33 students participated in its activities that belonged to the program of the school id the friend of the environment. The camp was held in Alqiqab garden in Al Bireh, and the activities included lectures about garbage, biodiversity, and the concepts of nature protection and water. A visit to the Al Bireh water purification center was carried out to understand its workings, as well as a field trip to Beit Ello station. Some environmental films about birds and biodiversity were shown.
II. Field visits to the Botanic Garden" Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station". 1. A delegation of about 35 educational and environmental health managers from the Ministry of Education from all the districts of Palestine visited the Botanic Garden "Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station" on April 20th to understand the benefits of the center. The researchers Anton Khaliliaillah and Samer Emmeiya performed the process of ringing the birds and talked about the importance of the nature of Palestine for birds and animals living in the area. 2. A field and scientific visit was made to the Botanic Garden "Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station", with school principals and educational supervisors from Bethlehem and Hebron directorates of education. They toured the garden and recognized its benefits. They also watched the process of ringing some birds and listened to a detailed lecture about the importance of Palestine for migratory birds. 3. Some school students (members of the school clubs from Bethlehem district) did voluntary work in the Botanic Garden "Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station"by clearing rubbish. 4. A field trip to Jericho was made by girls from the environmental school clubs at the Aida primary school. They visited Qruntol Mountain and the Botanic Garden. 5. Some international delegations were received and welcomed to the Botanic Garden "Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station". The first delegation was from the American Consulate (USAID), the second from the American group “Tree of life”, and the third delegation was from the Japanese Embassy. They were introduced to the activities of the center. 6. Many photos of the migratory and soaring birds were also taken.
III. Field trips. 1. Some school principals and teachers from Jericho district in cooperation with the directorate of education participated in a field trip to Solomon’s Pools and Artas village, during which the participants received a detailed explanation about the nature of these sites. 2. Members of the schools clubs from Jericho district made a field trip to Artas village on 17th,24th, and 25th of February 2005. 3. A field trip was made by Aida primary school for girls to the Nativity church and Artas village on the 23rd of March 2005.
IV. Environmental Information. 1. Preparing a booklet as a guide to forestry gardening. 2. Designing a leaflet for the Botanic Garden "Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station"in Jericho. 3. Producing the following films with the help of USAID:
4. Producing and publishing the following pamphlets and posters with the UNDP:
5. A power point lecture was prepared about drugs and was presented to members of the Drugs unit of the department of the police.
V. Television Series . Broadcasting a program about forestry in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture on Bethlehem TV, on 26/01/05.
VI. The Environmental Mail. 1. Producing and distributing issue number six for the members of the school clubs, on the subject of Garbage. 2. Producing and distributing issue number seven, about The School Garden. Many issues were sent to Gaza and this issue was produced with the help of Jawwal.
VII. The Eco Clubs Net work. 1. A meeting was held with some officials of the Ministry of Education, Ramallah, to prepare for the school activities of the scholastic year 2005/2006, mainly for members of the school clubs. 2. Distributing some plants among members of the school clubs. 3. Carrying out a study day with the Palestinian Arts Centre in Hebron on 2/11/05 about some environmental issues, in particular about the protection of nature. A film was shown about biodiversity. 4. A meeting was held with the members of the schools clubs in Bethlehem district in Banat Alawda School for girls in Duheisha Camp to plan the environmental activities in the next scholastic year. 5. Organizing a series of lectures about bird flu for the members of the school clubs, as follows: Date School name no. of lectures 8/11 Beit Sahour Sec. school for girls, Beit Sahour 1 10/11 Banat Alawda School for girls, Bethlehem 3 12/11 Saint Joseph school for girls, Bethlehem 1 16/11 Saint Joseph school for girls, Bethlehem 2 18/11 Shepherds Orthodox school, Beit Sahour 1 21/11 Tequa’ school for girls, Bethlehem 1 26/11 Jerusalem basic school, Hebron 1
All lectures were copied to CDs which were given and submitted to the directorates of education in Ramallah, Jenin and Hebron.
VIII. Field Environmental Researches. 1. A follow-up of the work and activities of the Botanic Garden was made. The ringing of the birds continued and a survey of the visiting winter birds was also made. 2. Our field researcher Anton Khaliliyah was able to catch and examine a bird named the Iranian hide. This bird has only been caught twice before in Palestine; once in the1920s and again in the 1970s. 3. Ringing and monitoring the visiting winter birds continued. Many technical photos were taken and we were able to register some rare birds such as the Reed Bunting and the Spectacled Speckled? Warbler in the Botanic Garden "Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station". 4. A Wildlife survey together with the monitoring process started for the spring migratory birds, on 15/2/05. 5. Create the data Base for the Flora and Fauna of Palestine. 6. The volunteer Samer Emmaya took part in the bird ringing in Jericho in the spring time. 7. Field visits and tours were made to Saint Saba area, Arab Rashaida, Wadi Foukin, Beit Ello, and Umsafa and Nabi Saleh forests. An environmental survey was made together with the monitoring process of some Important Bird Areas. Our researchers were able to register, watch and photograph some rare birds for the first time. 8. An environmental survey was made for some Raptors birds nesting in Qruntol Mountain, Wadi Quilt and Wadi Nueima in Jericho. 9. Our researchers carried out some ringing of birds in Al Bireh district, while visiting the Environmental Quality Authority in Ramallah. They also presented some detailed explanations about this process and the importance of these birds. 10. The Egyptian Mongoose was released in the Beit Sahour area after being handed to us by the Chemical Drugs Company employees in Beit Jala. 11. As part of the campaign against illegal hunting, our executive manager and the police department in Bethlehem district confiscated a number of endangered wild birds, such as the Shocker and their eggs. They also rescued and released some soaring birds. They informed some traders that it was forbidden to buy and sell such birds. 12. A visit to the Jerusalem Wilderness was made (Wadi Daraja area and "Ras naqab ElHumar "east of Bethlehem and Hebron), where we monitored some migratory birds. 13. A 275 bird species was recorded in Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station during the survey.
IX. Establishing and Forming Committees. 1. A meeting was held on 11/4/05 in our offices with 65 hunters, and we discussed with them the importance of organizing the hunting in order to maintain our natural wealth. We also referred to the endangered species so that they could be saved and kept safe in their nests. They formed a committee and interested people could apply for membership. 2. Following the Cucumber exhibition held in Beit Sahour last summer, we formed a committee of farmers from Beit Sahour to develop agriculture in the town. 3. The meetings with the Environmental Quality Authority in Ramalla continued. PWLS is the main member of this committee.
X. Festivals and Environmental Ceremonies. 1. Celebrating Tree Day in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Municipalities of Beit Sahour and Bethlehem on 26/4/05 under the patronage of the Minister of Agriculture. The ceremony was held in the park of the city during which some trees were planted. 2. The first spring exhibition was held in Jericho on 30/3/05 in cooperation with the Directorate of Education in Jericho district. During the ceremony some entertaining activities were presented by the students of the school clubs, such as the Dabka (traditional dancing), Palestinian folklore and songs. 3. Celebrating the second spring exhibition in Bethlehem area on 21/3/05 in Finiq Centre hall in Duheisha Camp in cooperation with the Ministry of Education in Bethlehem district. The ceremony included several activities such as some songs and the Dabka. All these activities were presented by the students of the school clubs in the districts. 4. The second Cucumber Exhibition was held in Beit Sahour. PWLS and the Municipality of Beit Sahour organized this celebration in cooperation with the Agricultural Relief Committees and the Centre of Maintaining the Cultural Heritage. The ceremony included some Dabka, and other activities presented by the boy scouts and girl guides in the city. Workshops for the children and for the women were carried out and a final report of the ceremony was presented by Bethlehem TV. 5. Some voluntary works were organized in the International Clearing up Day on 26/9/05 in cooperation with the municipality of Beit Sahour to clear rubbish in Beit Sahour and Jericho. The Minister of Tourism Mr. Ziad AlBandak attended this activity. 6. Celebrating the Environmental Tourism in the World on 17/9/05 in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism in Jericho. The celebration focused on the task of clearing rubbish in some areas in Jericho. A clearing campaign was launched on 18/9/05. The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Mr. Al-Bandak.
XI. The House Gardening Project. 1. The Cooperation establishment presented the House Gardening Project to us and we worked on that to make it real success. 30 women in Jericho District participated, for 6 months duration. 2. A workshop was held about composting on 17/9/05, covering topics such as the consumption guide in houses. The workshop discussed field implementation of same plantations and composting in some gardens. 3. The active participation of PWLS in the meetings, and in workshops on some environmental issues inside and outside the country. 4. We participated in a workshop in Japan last February for ten days 10-12/02/05 which was about Women and the Environment. This workshop was held there in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy. 5. Our colleague Haya Helal took part in a workshop held in Nairobi last March, about ‘Writing Proposals’, which lasted for ten days 8-17/03/05. 6. We participated in a workshop held in Amman, Jordan, that was about the Soaring Birds Project. We also had the chance to talk about our plans in order to implement this project in the future. 7. We took part in the regional meeting of the Birdlife International, held in Jordan. 8. We participated in a workshop in December 2005 in Syria which was about soaring birds. 9. We were invited to attend the International Birds Exhibition held in Britain in July 2005. 10. Our Executive Director participated in a conference in Egypt on 31//01/05 to evaluate the GEF. 11. Our executive manager took part in the Environmental Exhibition held in Italy last March1-3/03/05. 12. A visit to Egypt was carried out last April on 6-8/4/05 to meet the Bird life and the UNDP officials. We discussed with them some important matters about the soaring birds. 13. We took part in the annual meeting of the Bird Life International Council held in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The meeting was held on 5-17/05/05. 14. We attended a workshop in Amman, Jordan on 7-13/6/05 which was soaring birds. The International Council for the Protection of Wild Birds invited us to this workshop. 15. We took part in the meeting of the Bird Life International held both in Jordan and Britain, and we also attended the Bird Fair. 16. We participated in a workshop held in Sharm Sheikh on 13-15/11/05 which was about Ecotourism in the Arab World. We were invited by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the National Committee for the Education, Culture and Science. 17. We took part in the meeting of the Arab Experts that was about the protection of the cultural and natural heritage. The meeting was held in abu Dabi in UAE on 3-7/12/05.
XII. The supporting corporations of PWLS activities in 2005. · Jawwal Company, Palestine. · Telluric Company, Jericho, Palestine. · The Pontifical Mission, Palestine. · The Welfare Association, Palestine. · The Centre of Environment Diplomatic (CED), Palestine. · The UNDP, Palestine. · The European Fund for Natural Heritage "Euronature". · Birdlife International-UK.
XIII. The Implemented Projects. 1. The winter and summer environmental centers. 2. The school Eco Clubs for the protection of nature - The school is the friend of the environment. 3. The House Gardens Project in Jericho presented and donated by the Corporation establishment. This project got an acceptance and its cost price was 33000 and it lasted for six months. 4. The Biodiversity Agricultural Project and the Agricultural Information Project. These projects were implemented with the help of the UNDP. 5. A follow-up of the project of the Botanic Garden "Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station" in Jericho.
XIV. Workshops, Courses and Meetings held in the country. 1. We participated in a course about maintaining the Natural Heritage held in The Peace Center in Bethlehem. We were invited by Bir Zeit University. 2. We took part in a bazaar on 15/11/05 during which our publications were displayed.
XV. The Relationship with the National Partners. 1. The Minister of Agriculture visited our Society and he discussed the mutual matters for now and for the future. We were honored by his visit as we were the only establishment visited by him. During his visit he expressed his admiration of our work and activities, particularly our work in the Botanic Garden "Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station". 2. In cooperation with the Ministries of Health, Education and Agriculture, we quickly made a follow up of the world wide news of the bird flu. 3. We were in constant meetings during last year with : - Ministry of Agriculture - Ministry of Education - Ministry of Tourism - Ministry of Local Government - Ministry of Planning - The Agricultural Relief - The Environment Quality Authority. 4. We coordinated the meetings of the hunting amateurs held in Jericho and Bethlehem districts. Doctor Sami Mussalem, the Governor of Jericho District, Colonel Ahmad Abu Taher, head of the Police department in Jericho, and Captain Issa Hajjo, head of the police department in Bethlehem District, all attended the meetings.
XVII. The Relationship with the International Partners. The PWLS applied to join the IUCN. We were accepted as an observing member only because Palestine does not have international recognition as an independent state.
XVIII. The gatherings and meetings held in the year 2005. 1. An agreement was signed with the CED for mutual activities and cooperation. 2. A meeting was held with the Ministry of Agriculture in Ramalla to integrate the Soaring Birds Project with one of their projects. We also signed an agreement with them about future activities. 3. We held a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Authority, the UNDP and with the Hydrologist Group to discuss some matters of the Rehabilitation Project of the wells in Jericho. We also discussed the possibility of considering it as a part of the Soaring Birds Project. 4. A meeting was held with the Japanese embassy, JICA, The American Consulate, The UNDP, The Italian Consulate, The Spanish Consulate, the Dutch Representative in Ramalla, The Catholic Relief and the Anira. The meeting discussed the mutual activities and projects with the above mentioned establishments. 5. We held a meeting with the International Society for the Protection of Animals in London. An agreement was signed with them in which they agreed to provide special cages for the diseased animals and ruptures in Jericho district.
XIX. The General Assembly of The PWLS. The General Assembly was held on 05/08/05 during which 7 members of board were elected.
XX. Palestine Wildlife Society Employees. 1. Our researcher Mr. Sami Baqla obtained a scholarship to continue his studies in Britain in the field of biodiversity. 2. Our researcher Mr. Anton Khaliliya obtained a scholarship to continue his studies in Ben Gurion University in the field of biodiversity in the deserts. He continued the ringing of birds in the Botanic Garden whenever it was possible. 3. Our colleague Miss Haya Hilal got another job with the CHF in Bethlehem while continuing part-time in our Society. 4. Our colleagues Miss Saida Alatrash and Miss Nisreen Albardaweel resigned. 5. Mr. Talal Beni Odeh joined us as a volunteer researcher to work in the Botanic Garden in Jericho. 6. Mr. Rami Jaffal a high university study university joined us to do some researches about wild plants in Jericho.
XXI. The Forth Coming Projects. 1. An agreement was signed to enhance and support the Soaring Birds Project by eleven Arab and African countries. The period of the project is to last ten years and it consists of two stages; the first one is about the environmental awareness and the second one is about the environmental survey. We will certainly participate in both stages. 2. The school Eco Clubs "for the protection of nature" that include the summer and winter centers in Jericho, Bethlehem, Hebron, and in Ramalla. This project is supported by several corporations. 3. The Environmental-mail project of the environmental student. This project is supported by the Jawwal Company in Palestine.
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