Ecosystem Management - JBC A Model for Cooperation on Biodiversity - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Jerusalem Bioregion Center for Ecosystem Management - JBC A Model for Cooperation on Biodiversity Protection and Sustainable Development in the Jerusalem Region

Mission The Jerusalem Bioregion Center for Ecosystem Management (JBC) was established in 2014 to: Promote sustainable eco-system management in the Jerusalem region  Act as a resource for local and regional biodiversity initiatives  Help local governments in the area find ways to factor ecosystem  management into their infrastructure planning efforts Goals: ► Information - lectures/workshops, roundtables, data-base ► Multi-level cooperation and partnerships - convening stakeholder ► Project management consultation to start-up biodiversity initiatives: - urban agriculture - historic landscape conservation - water management - forest conservation - species protection – green pilgrim tourism

Jerusalem Land Use Natural Built-up Areas Areas 51.5 % 47.5 % Natural Open Areas Parks and Gardens Forest Land 39% Public Parks 2% Grass Land 61% Orchards 13%  Expansive green belt around the city  Shortage of cultivated and maintained parkland within the city

Public Open Spaces in Jerusalem • Contrary to other cities, Jerusalem is not short of open space • However, there is a severe shortage of developed open space • Problems - multiple management authorities and lack of resources[][ 1] • Municipality • KKL – JNF • INPA – Israel Nature and Parks Authority1 • Jerusalem Foundation Area of Jerusalem = 100 sq kilometers = 25,000 acres * Source: City of Jerusalem Biodiversity Report 2013, pg 73

Jerusalem Metropolitan Ring Parks 3,700 Acres Tsofim Valley Park Arazim Valley Park Holy Basin Kidron Valley Park Motza Valley Park Refaim Valley Park Railway Park Safdie Plan defeated in favor of nature conservation and historic heritage preservation – mainstreaming into productive sectors – tourism, recreation, sports, health footpaths, bicycle paths, picnic sites, convenience stations, parking and shops

JBC - Background The JBC was founded in collaboration with the Society for the  Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), the Ministry of Environment and local authorities in the Jerusalem region. The JBC evolved following the implementation of the ICLEI/LAB  (Local Action for Biodiversity) Program , a global initiative for promoting sustainable development at the local level. Participation in the LAB program enabled the City of Jerusalem to  play a lead role in the development of frameworks for integrating biodiversity protection in the local planning system. The JBC proposes a breakthrough concept in ecosystem  management, shifting from a local to a regional approach, in line with international principles such as URBIS (the Urban Biosphere Initiative) and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve concept.

Global Context

150 Urban Nature Sites The Jerusalem Urban Nature Infrastructure Survey – comprehensive data base of the City’s biodiversity characteristics

Urban Nature Survey Site Card

Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Local Policy Integrating the Jerusalem Urban Nature Survey Database into the City’s GIS System

The LAB Process ךילהת 5 םיבלש Five Step Program - Assessment הכרעה Commitment תובייחתה Planning ןונכת Approval רושיא Implementation עוציב

Local Biodiversity Initiatives Jerusalem LAB Established in October, 2009 LAB ב -2009 םורופל הפרטצה םילשורי Green Jerusalem

JBC Stakeholder Forum Municipality Jerusalem Government SPNI Ministries Israel Parks LAB Israel Lands Authority & Steering Authority JNF Committee Jerusalem Public Development Interest Authority Groups Local Education & Culture Institutions

Jerusalem Biodiversity Report • Ecology • Strategy • Management • Public Participation • Projects Jerusalem Biodiversity Report

LBSAP - Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Organizational Structure  The JBC is funded by a grant from a local philanthropic foundation  During its first 3 years of operation, it was managed by the Jerusalem Foundation and the Ariel Company  In 2016, it became a project of the Jerusalem Green Fund and is now managed by JGF  SPNI has been a major strategic partner in implementing JBC goals •

JBC Team Naomi Tsur, Dr. Yoel Siegel, Chair Senior Consultant Helene Roumani, Director Dr. Eran Brokovich, Ecologist Timna Raz, Project Coordinator Melanie Gross, Database Coordinator

JBC Initiatives Training Programs - Mainstreaming Urban Nature - 2014- 2016  Community Outreach - Food for Jerusalem Forum 2014  Research - Threats to Ecosystems in the Jerusalem Area 2015  Conservation - Ein Kerem and Al Azariya Project 2016  Partnerships Projects  Jerusalem Municipality  Community Gardens  SPNI Jerusalem  Food Forests  KKL  Edible Neighborhoods  RATAG  Muslala  Ministry of Environment  Kaimuta  Ministry of Agriculture  Aleinu Hydroponic Herb Farm  Knesset Green Project  Urban Bee Keeping  Ass. of Regional Councils,  Reshit School, Kiryat Menachem Environmental Units  Apack School, Tsur Baher  Jerusalem Botanical Gardens  Pisgat Zeev School  MAARAG National Ecosystem  Ezrat Avot Senior Citizen’s Center Assessment Project  Save Jerusalem Hills Campaign  JBF – Jerusalem Business  Save Mitzpeh Neftoach Campaign Forum  Wildflower Sanctuary

Animal Species - the Israeli Mountain Gazelle Mountain Gazelle distribution map in Jerusalem - an endangered species

Bird Migration ► The unique location of Israel at the junction of three continents has made it a major international bird migration route ► More than 500 million birds fly over Jerusalem twice a year ► Comprising over 200 different species, they migrate over Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and through Egypt to Africa ► Per square kilometer, the country has one of the highest levels of bird traffic in the world

Habitats and Tourism Thousands of years of history in Jerusalem have influenced the urban texture. Over time, stone walls, reservoirs and roof tops have been transformed into natural ecosystems. The Temple Mount is an ancient living roof. The walls of the Old City sport cliff vegetation.

500,000,000 birds fly over Jerusalem twice a year. The Western Wall is home to nesting swifts. Phenology and Behaviour of the Common " םָּג - ָהיֶדֲעוֺמ הָעְדָי םִיָּמָשָּב הָדיִסֲח , וֽגָעְו סיִסְו רֹתְותֶא וֽרְמָש ר - תֵע Swift Apus apus in Israel (Holy Birds, or the Common Swifts of Jerusalem’s Western Wall) הָנאֹֹב " והימרי - ח '- ז ' ULRICH TIGGES AND HEINRICH MENDELSSOHN

Ecosystem Services

Jerusalem Metropolitan Biosphere Schematic Concept Buffer Zone Peri-urban Agriculture Eco - corridors Legally protected areas CSA Town Urban nature Proposed Jt. Urban Recycled Sewage Center CSA Village Peri-urban Agriculture Peri-urban Agriculture

Social and Developmen Economic t Activity Conservation and Renewal Human Actions Ecosystems Ecosystem Services Biosphere Reserve Monitoring and Research Policy and Programs

Stakeholder Engagement

Joint Training Program JBC/ SPNI Workshops

Lectures/ Seminars/ Field Trips

Jennifer Pierce - The Central European University “The Bioshed of Jerusalem: A Model for Urban Biodiversity Planning, Visioning and Communication” 2014

Jerusalem URBIS Workshop March 2012

Urban Agriculture Survey Sample Study of 30 Community Gardens (ITEK) Food for Jerusalem Forum

Ein Kerem

Figs Almonds Olives Pomegranate Lavender

Mizmor L’David Talpiot

The Gazelle Valley Urban Nature Park

Gazelle Valley Urban Nature Park Plan A trigger for creating a network of inner-city nature parks

Campaigns: Save the Jerusalem Hills - Historic Landscape Preservation Optimal Utilization of Ecosystem Services through Landscape Scale Management Kidron Valley Basin Restoration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdzEgFARU2Q

Kidron River/Wadi El Nar Basin Restoration Plan The City of Jerusalem is working with its Palestinian partners to revitalize this ancient area, turning it from the region’s backyard into an economically and ecologically vibrant example of cross-boundary cooperation. The aim is to promote ecosystem conservation and management, along with local community development through improved employment opportunities and tourism.

JBC Website www.greenmap.org.il/English/Bioregion Center http://www.jgf.org.il/bioregion-center

The Jerusalem Bioregion Center jerusalem.bioregion@gmail.com www.jgf.org.il/bioregion-center Facebook - Green Jerusalem Thank You! Helene Roumani, Director, JBC