Open Spaces Fund Approves About NIS 250 Million for Environmental Projects

The Israel Land Authority’s Open Spaces Fund has approved about NIS 250 million for environmental projects across Israel. The allocation covers river and ecosystem restoration, parks, protection of habitats and natural landscapes, and public access to open spaces. Among the approved projects are NIS 5.07 million for Nahal Hanita, connecting Shlomi to the sea, and NIS 4.52 million for restoration along the middle section of Nahal Tavor in the Jezreel Valley. Nahal Bohu Park in Netivot’s Ma’alot HaNahal neighborhood and the Katzrin stream promenade and forest are each allocated NIS 5.65 million. A further NIS 600,000 is designated for statutory planning concerning the Jordan’s headwater streams in the Kinneret region. Northern border communities will receive exceptional flexibility following the prolonged war and the need to restart environmental work. New projects can receive approval even before 50% of an earlier project’s budget has been used. Northern allocations include NIS 5.65 million for the meeting point of Nahal Zahav and the western canal in Kiryat Shmona, and NIS 2.54 million for Nahal Far’am restoration in Hatzor HaGlilit. The fund has operated for about 13 years, financing roughly 1,450 projects worth about NIS 2.4 billion in open spaces outside built-up urban areas. Further calls for proposals are expected in the first quarter of 2027, covering implementation, planning, surveys and research, wetland restoration, and access to nature sites.