In 2003, An-Najah National University received Sahl Sumit — a 7.2-hectare site with a complex history, transitioning from an Ottoman-era village to a military zone, before finding its true purpose as a living ecological site. But it wasn’t until 2020 that the Environmental Education & Conservation Unit (EECU) was formally established, transforming this land into what it is today: a living classroom, a biodiversity sanctuary, and a gateway to Palestine’s natural heritage.

EECU was built on a simple but powerful belief — that nature should not be studied from behind a classroom window. From its first day, the unit opened Sahl Sumit’s trails, greenhouses, fish ponds, medicinal gardens, and natural habitats to students, schools, families, and institutions — offering hands-on experiences in guided trails, birdwatching, agricultural learning, and biodiversity exploration, all bookable through the university.

At the heart of EECU’s work is the protection of Palestine’s native and endangered plant species from extinction. Through applied research, collaboration with farmers, youth groups, and local communities, EECU has built a living conservation model rooted in local participation and traditional environmental knowledge.

While Sahl Sumit remains EECU’s home and living laboratory, its work extends well beyond its boundaries. Through conservation projects across Palestine, EECU has helped revitalize degraded ecological areas — protecting native plants and animals from extinction, restoring natural habitats, and supporting local farmers in adopting sustainable practices that preserve both their land and its biodiversity.