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About Us
The Israeli government has allocated for the birds' project, a one-acre plot (5,000 square meters) of prime real estate, between the Knesset (the Israeli parliament) and the Supreme Court. The site is one of the few traditional birdwatching areas in Jerusalem that has not been harmed by development, and is centrally located, making it attractive as an educational and tourist center for the public. For many years, the site lay in a state of neglect, with the two buildings on the surrounding grounds used as a repository for organic materials from the neighboring parks. The area has been cleared of refuse and walking paths have been established. A gardening plan was implemented in order to attract a wide variety of birds without damaging the existing vegetation. The two buildings on the site were renovated, creating space for a ringing (banding) station and a visitors' center with a computerized classroom. Electricity, telephone and water lines have been brought into the site. At present the JBO is receiving a USAID grant promoting a joint Israeli - Palestinian ringing project. The grant is enabling the JBO to operate for the first time on a regular part-time basis. During the spring and autumn of 1998 the JBO, with the help of many volunteers, guided more than 1400 visitors - mainly school children - and ringed more than 2000 birds. The JBO and its volunteers conducted a clean-up operation in which 250 new trees and shrubs were planted on the site.
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