Signing day at the "Hai Bar" nature reserve

On Tuesday, Rosh HaShanah, Maya and I ventured to Chai Bar-Carmel Nature Reserve; what does this nature reserve hold?

Preserved and beautiful lands which is being protected by the Nature and Parks Authority.

This nature reserve is a haven for eagles and deer, providing a protected reproduction environment which enables eventual release into the wild.

As we explored the reserve, it became evident that we had come to the right place—a place where we could educate fellow nature enthusiasts about the state of nature in Israel and the areas that require our attention.

In the past these lands were recognized as unique natural treasures and had long-standing construction bans placed on them to safeguard their integrity. It is crucial to continue and protect them today.

Unfortunately, with the increasing demand for housing and the population growth, these construction bans are becoming less defined. Infrastructure development is intruding upon the limited natural spaces that currently preserve our clean air and wildlife today. Each year, an area almost equivalent to the size of a city is built upon open lands, resulting in the children of today experiencing fewer encounters with wild animals compared to the past.

We decided to set up a booth outside of the Chai Bar-Carmel Nature Reserve, adorned with signs and pictures, to engage with visitors and spread awareness. We also attempted to educate and inspire, all those eagerly waiting to witness the magnificent eagles and deer, about their crucial role in shaping the future of nature.

The primary cause of animal extinction in our country is by running over wild animals, resulting from the lack of consideration in infrastructure and road planning for our four-legged friends. Over the years, animals have adapted. They have kept their distance from human activity and roads. They have become nocturnal and, tragically, some have even sacrificed their lives attempting to cross the roads, their pleas for help going unheard, and their struggles remain hidden from our sight.

Today in an era when people are spread out and reach everywhere, wildlife has no room or even a safe way to cross roads, find food or locate potential mates.

The cries of these animals are not being heard while alive but, in their death, they cry out begging to no longer be the victim of our actions.

We dedicated ourselves to standing for hours, passionately explaining to every passerby the urgency of implementing safe crossings for wildlife and establishing connectivity between open areas. We emphasized that this is not only crucial for the animals themselves but also for us and for the creation of a better, more colorful, compassionate, and responsible world.

If you want wildlife to stay a part of our and our children’s lifetimes, we urge you to take action by signing a petition that calls upon the Ministry of Transportation to allocate funds for safe crossings as part of a comprehensive continuous national plan. By signing this petition, we can collectively demonstrate to the Ministry of Transportation that the Israeli public strongly supports the construction of wildlife crossings. These crossings, such as overpasses and underpasses, would connect habitats and enable animals to move and thrive, even in the most densely populated country in the Middle East.

https://www.drove.com/campaign/63318a384cce14486ed32384

Danielle Baram.