An-Najah students participate in an eco-trail and guided visit to Al-Nassariya Farm

5/10/2025

A group of students from An-Najah National University recently took part in an environmental field trip to the University’s farm in the Al-Nassariya area. The visit was organized by the Friends of the Environment Association at the Faculty of Science, in cooperation with the Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority, and under the supervision of the Deanship of Student Affairs. The activity aimed to promote experiential learning, raise environmental awareness among students, and support the University’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly quality education, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, and life on land.

The visit included a specialized briefing delivered by the Environmental Quality Authority team, focusing on invasive alien plant species and their impact on biodiversity. The briefing also addressed the environmental conditions of the area and highlighted the main challenges facing local ecosystems. In addition, students toured the farm’s various facilities, including greenhouses, the fish pond, seedling production systems, and modern irrigation technologies.

Dr. Raed Alkowni, Supervisor of the Friends of the Environment Association at the Faculty of Science, emphasized the importance of such field activities in enriching students’ environmental knowledge. He highlighted their role in strengthening environmental awareness and responsibility, as well as in linking academic learning with hands-on practical experience.

For her part, student Ikram Othman Alsedda, President of the Friends of the Environment Association, commended the ongoing support provided by the Faculty of Science, the Deanship of Student Affairs, and the “Ehna An-Najah” team. She praised their efforts in facilitating and organizing meaningful activities that enhance students’ practical experience and broaden their engagement with environmental and community issues.

This field trip forms part of a series of activities organized by the Friends of the Environment Association at the Faculty of Science, aimed at bridging theory and practice and strengthening students’ role in protecting the Palestinian environment and preserving its biodiversity.

Annual Meeting of the Scientific Forum for Nature Protection

2/4/2026

The Scientific Forum for Nature Protection held its annual meeting at the farm of An-Najah National University, located in the Sumeit Plain near the town of Al-Nassariya in the Jordan Valley, with the participation of a distinguished group of academics, researchers, and individuals interested in environmental issues and biodiversity conservation.

This meeting was held within the framework of strengthening national efforts aimed at protecting the Palestinian environment and conserving natural resources, as well as supporting specialized scientific research in the fields of biodiversity, vegetation conservation, and monitoring natural ecosystems in Palestine.

The meeting featured in-depth discussions on the key challenges facing the Palestinian environment, particularly climate change, biodiversity loss, urban expansion, and the impact of unsustainable practices on natural resources. It also included presentations of several scientific and field initiatives implemented by the forum in collaboration with Palestinian universities and various environmental institutions.

Participants emphasized the importance of enhancing joint efforts between academic institutions, official environmental bodies, and local communities, contributing to building a strong scientific foundation to support nature conservation decisions and ensure the sustainability of environmental resources for future generations.

They also stressed the need to intensify field visits, applied research, and the documentation of Palestinian flora, as a vital component of environmental and national identity, and a key pillar in sustainable development efforts.

The Scientific Forum for Nature Protection continues its leading role in supporting environmental studies, raising community awareness, and developing scientific initiatives that contribute to protecting the Palestinian environment and strengthening the role of scientific research in this vital field.

22/9/2024

The Scientific Forum for Nature Conservation organized an awareness workshop on plant biodiversity in the Al-Nassariya area of the Jordan Valley, with the participation of academics, researchers, environmental and agricultural specialists, university students, and members of the local community.

The workshop aimed to enhance environmental awareness of the importance of Palestinian plant biodiversity and its role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting food security, protecting native and medicinal plants, and preserving the national agricultural heritage.

The workshop included introductory sessions on wild and native plants found in the Al-Nassariya area, highlighting the importance of protecting endemic and rare species, as well as discussing the major challenges facing vegetation cover, including climate change, overgrazing, urban expansion, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

It also featured practical field training on proper agricultural methods, plant care, soil improvement techniques, sustainable irrigation practices, and the handling of medicinal and aromatic plants. These activities aimed to promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices and strengthen agricultural sustainability.

Participants emphasized the importance of linking scientific knowledge with practical field applications, as this has a direct impact on protecting natural resources and improving agricultural productivity, especially in environmentally significant rural and agricultural areas.

This workshop is part of a series of environmental and field activities implemented by the Scientific Forum for Nature Conservation to spread environmental awareness, support scientific research, and strengthen partnerships between academic institutions and local communities in the field of nature conservation and biodiversity protection in Palestine.