סבב"ע

Public recognition of Sababa

Perhaps the most important accomplishment of the past year - Sababa has become a truly grass-roots run, publicly involved and recognized organization in the Arava - the only local environmental NGO in our region. Sababa's representatives have been invited to represent Sababa's viewpoint in a wide range of public forums - Hevel Eilot's Master Plan steering committee, the Ministry of Interior's Regional boundaries Hearings for Eilot - Eilat, public meetings in the Central Arava and at the Knesset about the phosphates mining, and more--

Public participation in Sababa

Sababa's Managing Committee has matured into a committed group of volunteers from the region who work hard to advance environmental goals together. Other successful committees and workgroups include: Open Spaces, Bicycles, Zin-Oron Campaign Committee, and the Timna Mining Committee currently in formation. Airport Committee members reconvened recently to meet with Airport Authority representatives and the regional council and give comments on the plans for the new airport.

Open Spaces

Sababa initiated and is promoting an overall evaluation and master plan for the open spaces left within the borders of the Hevel Eilot municipal council.
The first stage was completed and presented in a public meeting to the region in January 2005.
The Open Spaces steering committee includes local professionals and activists who are from the region, volunteering their time to advance this important subject.
Beginning funding was received from the Ministry of the Environment with supplementation from Sababa. We are still raising funds for stage 2 of the surveying. We have received small grants so far from the Yotvata Dairy and the Shelli Fund and are still awaiting word from the Ministry of Environment.

Ein Evrona Campaign

In order to raise public awareness and action to encourage an agreement between our Regional Council and the Nature and Parks Authority, which would ensure the declaration of an enlarged nature reserve at Evrona, we sponsored a photo exhibit and contest in cooperation with EcoNet- Israel and funded by the Ford Foundation. 26 participants from Hevel Eilot and Eilat presented photos.
The exhibit was displayed again at the Eilot Regional Israel Independence Day Fair and at the Earth Day event in Eilat. Educational activity at the exhibit was done for 4th through 6th grade classes of the regional school. Petitions supporting the declaration of the Evrona Nature Reserve were signed.
This campaign helped contribute public support and momentum to the reaching of a final agreement between the Council and the Nature Authority.

Renewed copper mining at the Timna Mines

Sababa organized a public meeting in July with Regional representatives to give residents an opportunity to learn the subject. A committee of Sababa volunteers is currently being formed to act as a "watch-dog" to the regional council to ensure fullest sustainable and environmental regulations to the initiative, which has already received full support of the Israeli government.

Red Sea - Dead Sea Conduit Conference

The Conference, held in May 2004, presented the project and its ecological implications to Israeli and Jordanian residents, municipalities and NGOs.

Ongoing work with the Eilot Regional Council

includes advising on content for a future "Municipal Environmental Regulations;" vigilance on upcoming planning and infrastructure issues; attendance at all Local Planning Board meetings; pressure to enforce regulations that will reduce the nuisance of flies in the region, and more--

Green Kindergartens

Our environmental kindergarten curriculum, funded in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment and the Central Arava Regional Council, was published in summer 2005 and launched for use in regional communities / kindergartens starting Autumn 2005. The program includes teacher training, parent-child activities, composting and gardening at the Kindergartens and more. We are now offering the program and trainings to other regions.

"Yarok b'Midbar"

A regional "Happening" for all the family produced in cooperation with the Central Arava Regional Cultural Center. Our first annual "Happening" in February 2004 at Park Sapir brought together 1500 residents from the Central and Southern Arava and visiting tourists to enjoy a day of food, music, theater, environmental crafts activities, rope sports and each other! The entrance to the "Happening" each year iss "decorated" by visually attractive educational displays on the subjects of waste reduction, recycling, etc. Due to rain, the 2005 event attracted "only" 500 participants.

Zin/Oron Campaign

Sababa has organized the local residents' response to the issues of phosphates quarrying and pollution of the Zin/ Oron factories, including organizing a local response committee, attendance at all statutory discussions of the issue and work to pressure the Ministry of Environment to enforce regulations with these factories. This is an ongoing and continued campaign.

Clean-up Drive in Arava Wadis

A Comprehensive campaign to clear large metal waste from Arava Wadis was orchestrated by Sababa in winter - spring 2005 in cooperation with: the IDF - Central Southern Command and the local Karakal regiment, the Nature and Parks Authority, and the Green Police. Activities included local residents and children cleaning out small waste with Sababa's partners clearing out large waste and implementing land restoration in these areas.