The Trees of Israel
With over 240 million trees planted, Israel is one of only two countries in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain of trees. Even more remarkable, Israel accomplished this despite the fact that it is 60% desert and has barely any natural forests of its own.
Already by 1935, Jewish pioneers planted a whopping 1.7 million trees in Israel that currently cover over 250,000 acres of land.
The secret behind the success is the Jewish National Fund, which has been spearheading the afforestation effort in Israel since its establishment in 1901.
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"Of all the blessed acts in which we are engaged in this country, I do not know if there is a more fruitful enterprise, whose results are so useful, as the planting of trees, which adds beauty to the scenery of our country, improves its climate and adds health to its inhabitants.”
--David Ben-Gurion
via My Nation Lives עמי-חי
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