While thousands of Israelis go hiking every day in nature reserves and national parks, few know that behind every organized trail and protected site stand hundreds of dedicated volunteers. From north to south, during routine days and challenging periods, they head into nature to protect the landscapes, animals, and plants we all love.
“People contact us all the time, asking to volunteer in nature,” says Ziv Zaguri, Volunteer Coordinator for the Central District at the Nature and Parks Authority. “The Israeli public loves to lend a hand and connect genuinely with nature. Some people have been volunteering with us for decades, and each year more and more people join.”
However, even this volunteer work is affected by security events. “During the two weeks of fighting with Iran, volunteers could not go out to volunteer,” Zaguri recalls. “It’s not the first time that volunteers had to ‘stay home’ under the shadow of conflict, and it is always moving to feel their desire to return as soon as possible.”
Reserve Adopters: A Young Generation Protects Nature
One of the most prominent activities is the “Reserve Adoption” program, in which young volunteers in their service year adopt a nature reserve and care for it throughout the year. One of the outstanding groups is the service-year group from Kibbutz Tzova, which adopts the Har Tayasim Nature Reserve near the kibbutz.
Throughout the year, the volunteers regularly visit the reserve, performing organization, cleaning, wildlife observations, and reporting hazards and problems. In addition to routine maintenance, the service-year volunteers also participate in unique ecological surveys, help manage invasive plants, and play a significant role in preserving the reserve’s natural values.
Sea Turtles: Beach Patrols for “Nest Guardians”
Israel has become a sea turtle powerhouse in the Middle East, and this did not happen by chance. Between May and August, volunteer teams patrol the beaches, scanning for signs that a turtle has come ashore to lay eggs.
Smadar Nitzan from Kibbutz Palmachim, who coordinates the volunteer team in the kibbutz area, talks about the activity: “I have been volunteering for several years in the sea turtle protection and rescue project, and I am happy to do it every year. Our busy season begins in July, when the hatchlings start to emerge.”
Those who monitor the hatching of the hatchlings during the season are called “nest guardians.” In addition to searching for turtle nests, volunteers help locate injured sea turtles and transport them to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center for treatment and rehabilitation.
Birds of Prey Unit: A Bedouin Community Protects the Eagles
A unique initiative is the establishment of the “Birds of Prey Unit” at the end of last year – a group of volunteers from the Bedouin community that helps protect birds of prey, especially eagles, in the Negev region.
“The volunteers receive a phone alert if a bird of prey signals distress, and they go into the field to locate it,” explains Tal Carmi, Volunteer Coordinator for the Southern District. “They know the area best and can reach the birds quickly and know exactly what to do on site.”
Now, with the return to full activity after the security pause, all volunteer groups are back in the field. “Now that we have returned to full activity, the volunteers will again go into the nature they love so much to help those who need them the most,” concludes Zaguri.