SPNI's Winter Ponds Report for 2014

SPNI Seasonal Pool Activity Report 2014 Presented to the Swimmer Family Foundation Thanks to the support of the Swimmer Family Foundation the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) has expanded the largest preservation project for seasonal pools in the country. The project takes a holistic approach to protect these rare habitats. The winter of 2013/4 was the driest in Israel’s recorded history. This arid spell understandably caused problems for the creatures that live in the seasonal pools, and rely on the wet season to mature and reproduce. The support of the Swimmer Family Foundation enabled us to carry out vital work in a total of 30 seasonal pools in Israel, including the 5 for which we asked your direct support in our proposal last year. In these 30 seasonal pools we carried out an array of educational, communal, ecological activities, while working with decision makers to protect them over the long term. Altogether over 8,000 people took part in activities organized by SPNI to educate local residents about seasonal pools as part of our ethos that protecting nature is a result of loving nature. Map of Seasonal Pools where SPNI worked in 2014 Educational and Community Activities: We ran educational programs at 28 seasonal pools. These programs included class from elementary, junior and high schools, and informal groups such as scouts, kibbutz groups and other youth movements, and also adults in various frameworks. In formal education each class enjoyed one theoretical lesson in the classroom followed by a trip into the field to get their feet wet. The activities are led by instructors trained by SPNI, most of them students studying for their Master’s degrees in life sciences or ecology. In the field, students were taught how to test PH levels and nutrients using equipment provided. This data was recorded for use in our other research. The students then used containers and nets to look at some of the creatures close up, using the study guides that we developed with your gift last year to identify them. This information was included in SPNI’s nature surveys. Activities for the entire community were organized at 14 seasonal pools. Approximately 8,000 people attended the activities (see table below). At these activities we offered guided tours, materials and organized first hand meetings between the creatures that live in the seasonal pools and local residents. Through these powerful encounters we are able to persuade residents that these seasonal pools that for most of the year are just dry depressions in the earth are worth saving. Location Approx. No. of Participants ‘Bassa’ – Herzliya 5,000 Yashresh – Rehovot 1,500 Shapir 400 Ya’ar - Hadera 200 Havatzelet HaSharon 180 Dora - Netanya 120 Rishpon 120 Yikum 100 Udim 70 Hanzarim – Modi’in 60 Ha’agam Hanistar – Telmei Elazar 50 HaMitvach - Karkur 50 Naveh Rotam – Pardes Hana 40 Kibbutz Horshim 40 Total 7,930 Coexistence: In the Kfar Saba region the seasonal pool was the basis for encouraging coexistence between Arab and Jewish youth from the neighboring towns of Taybeh and Kochav Yair. In addition to the regular educational activities, the youth collectively worked on a treaty agreeing to preserve the pool. At a joint event of both groups at the pool, the mayors from both towns signed the treaty. Educational signs were also put up, in Hebrew and Arabic, explaining the unique flora and fauna that live in the seasonal ponds. The event was covered in the local newspaper. Scientific Monitoring: In addition to the monitoring work that we carried out as part of the educational activities we also carried out other important scientific work in conjunction with the local municipalities as part of their plans to map urban nature, in order to include urban nature within municipal masterplans. We carried out detailed botanical surveys at three sites where we suspected there were rare and endangered species. Udim Seasonal Pool Ecological Improvements: At 8 seasonal pools we carried out work to improve their ecological conditions. This was carried out by teams of professionals and included: uprooting invasive species, cleaning up the area around the winter pools, and placing sheltering stones for amphibians. In the seasonal pool in Ayanot we placed soil from a nearby, ‘donor’ seasonal pool. One of the unique characteristics of the seasonal pools' creatures is their ability to survive the dry summer months as cysts or diapaused eggs in pool sediments. By placing soil from this other pool in the pond we were able to safely relocate some creatures and repopulate the pool. Herzliya ‘Bassa’ seasonal pool At the Rishpon Kibbutz in the Sharon region we dug a new pool to improve connectivity between two local seasonal pools. This is a common concept in ecology that allows creatures to safely travel between the two pools that increases feeding grounds and improves genetic diversity. Despite the general lack of rain, when the pool did fill up we found it was utilized as a ‘stepping stone’ by the local creatures. Working with Decision Makers: The project made some major strides to improve the status of Israel’s seasonal pools. By working with the public we are able to show the municipalities that residents care about nature, and therefore it becomes part of the local political agenda. Through working with the municipalities we are able to protect the seasonal pools over the long term. In Hadera, the municipality is planning to develop a new train depot. We are working with them to develop a solution which will preserve the seasonal pool as part of the complex. As a result of our work wetlands conservation is also now a factor in the Hadera Municipality’s master plan. In Haifa, an important seasonal pool was destroyed as The remnants of the pool in Haifa part of the construction of a new junction. We saved several Eastern Spadefoots (Pelobates syriacus) from this seasonal pool before it was destroyed. We are currently working with the municipality to find an alternative location to dig a new pool and reintroduce these toads back into the ecosystem. We are working with the Shmariyahu Regional Council to restore a seasonal pool which was impacted by the construction of Route 20. Under our guidance the regional council is extending the pool northwards in order to restore the pool to its former size. The seasonal pool in Holon .

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