Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station (JWMS) |
 Anonymous writes "Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station (JWMS)
General Overview:
Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station (JWMS) is an area of about 150 dunums surrounded by agricultural fields from its western boundaries and natural landscape from its eastern sites that reaches the Jordan River banks.
Being situated, close to the Jordan River
around 3-4 km away, this site shares most of the physical environment
that Jericho city fell into. Geologically, Alluvium and Chalk Formation
cover most part of that area which is adjacent to the Jordan River, in
which most part especially the eastern ones are associated with the
Rogosols and Solonchalk soil types allow halophytic species such as Tamarix to grow in.
Its relatively placed far away from residence compound facilitate the
abundance of some form of wild Fauna and Flora to inhabit that region
This area project is used to be a botanical garden under the
supervision of the Committee for the Promotion of Tourism in the
Governorate of Jericho, which had been funded by the Korean government
after the fully control of the Palestinian Authority to that District.
Unfortunately, this project had failed due to certain reasons.
Due
to the significance of the area, as an area which consist of forms of
wildlife and environment, and also its importunate for many species
that inhabit the area, or use it as a stopover during migration, it was
of great importance for Palestine Wildlife Society (PWLS) to put it as
a priority to conserve this area and rehabilitate it again together
with the Committee for the Promotion Of Tourism In The Governorate Of
Jericho, so as to revitalize the area again. In order to achieve that,
the project focuses on the main points that can bring birth to the area
again, which would bring cause to support Eco-Tourism. These focus
points are the establishment of a Bird Ringing(Banding) Station, the
Environmental Education Center, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for
Raptors& Barn Owl Projects,. (Please see attached map).
Brief description of the area:
At
first, so many researches had been done to choose that area, which also
represent a sufficient size, and with maximum potential to be restored
as a birding habitats, which could also been considered as a protected
area for natural habitat as well as characterizing the importance for
the conserving variant resident and migratory birds.
In
general, the area that we are working in is divided into sub-areas,
each represents square area with different sizes, in which each square
consist of different kind of plantation, some are organic of
agricultural sites, others are replanted with endemic plants such as Acacia, and Tamarix,
Future
development to the infrastructure in that area will enhance and
encourage such activities that are held by PWLS, besides enhancing and
developing ongoing activities:
Ongoing activities
Bird Ringing and Watching:
As
JWMS lies within an area that is considered being a main migratory
route along the rift valley, a comparative number of migratory bird
species alongside with the resident ones settle in the area of Jericho
and the nature garden as well, for the fact of the abundance of
indigenous plant species where some birds can use this for roosting and
getting food from other sources there.
Thereby;
mist nets are inserted between different habitat types along that area,
so as to catch as much diverse bird species through different
plantation that is involved.
Education Awareness Campaigns
Development
of educational programs for targeting local school students, where by
providing field visits to the station itself, and encounter those
students of such educational programs that will incorporate studying
projects, reading materials, and hands-on interaction with the bird
ringing activities, in addition to tips in habitat management and
restoration work.
Bird
watching activities in the Station itself, turns to be an important
educational tool and attractive movement not only for school students
but also for schoolteachers and local guides that get benefit from such
programs in helping to build environmental programs among their
schools. Moreover; by the use of such field trips to the Jericho
Wildlife Monitoring Station, the students are encountered to topics in
ecology, ornithology, habitat programs and research progress.
Educational works are
not aimed only to school students, but taking other sectors within the
Palestinian community such as agricultural sector, tour guides,
teachers, and selectively youth people for the development of
environmental leadership.
Agriculture Cooperation programs
Recently,
a program for getting used of environmentally friendly strategies, that
implies getting use of biological control agents, had been interposed
to Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station and other parts in Jericho area.
This program is aiming at solving practical management conflicts
between agriculture and wildlife.
Where
nest boxes for Barn Owl had been interposed within the agricultural
sites within this area. This control agent does not prevent the pest
from causing damage, but it reduces pest numbers to a level under which
it is not economically beneficially to use chemical agents (that are
harmful to the environment).
Bird Migration:
Gathering
information about bird migration through the whole area is essential as
a part of Stopover site along a migration route over the Jordan Valley.
Conflict resolution with Agriculture:
Finding long term solution for the myriad of conflict between agriculture and environment.
Habitat/Vegetation and Species Conservation: the relationship between certain forms of Wildlife (Flora & Fauna) and Habitat Distribution.
Eco-tourism
Eco-tourism
is an important component of creating economic sustainability through
nature conservation. In order to create an eco-tourism industry within
the region, Jericho Wildlife Monitoring Station will provide better
marketing and public relation in conducting programs and information
for tourists. Moreover, creating facilities and opportunities for
tourists that will include observation hides and ringing station and be
able to learn about local and regional research projects.
Our vision
Our
vision is to transform the Jordan Valley into an Ecologically
Sustainable Region . We recognize the inextricable link between
ecological sustainability and social, economic and cultural. By taking
a regional approach to nature conservation we are encouraging
cooperation between PWLS and the rest of the Palestinian Community.
This
project is a large-scale, long-term approach to nature conservation and
peaceful coexistence in our region and with the our neighbors
countries..
Together for People & Nature
"
Posted on Monday, January 29 @ Eastern Standard Time by qlaith
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