The Raanana Municipality inaugurated the second stage of the Raanana Forest Project, dedicated to the city’s dignitaries.  The Raanana Municipality has awarded 50 of its residents with the Yakir Hair Award, since 1987 until the present.  This second section of the Raanana Forest will be dedicated to these residents as a tribute to their work and contribution of many years to the city and communal life.

The inauguration ceremony for the second stage of the Raanana Forest was held in the presence of Mayor Nahum Hofree and Deputy Mayor Ronit Weintraub, city council members, city officials, city dignitaries and their families.  As part of the second stage, 120 saplings were planted in the northern section in the Kiryat Etgarim Hi-Tech Park, near Tidhar and Dafna Streets.  In stage 1, 150 Israeli trees, which require very little watering, were planted in this area.

This November, as part of Raanana’s activity as a green, sustainable city, the Raanana Forest project was launched.  It is a unique project designed to create a green ring to surround the entire city.  The project will include the planting of thousands of trees around the city in the coming decade and will include walking and cycling paths and sitting areas.  The plans call for the planting of trees to surround Raanana and will incorporate the existing landscape including the orchards and trees and the planned residential areas.

Raanana is one of Israel’s five greenest towns in Israel, where 48% of its area is green and open public land.  The project is an additional step in maintaining open fields and in keeping with the municipal vision:  A tree for every resident and a high ratio of open land per capita!

“The Raanana Forest” will also help in the municipal effort to conserve energy and protect the climate and natural resources, as the trees absorb carbon dioxide that helps decrease greenhouse gas emission.  The planting of the trees that require little water will also help in protecting and preserving our water sources.

Mayor Nahum Hofree:  “Raanana Forest is an expression of the commitment we have assumed to protect the environment for our future generations.  We have chosen to integrate our environmental philosophy with values of contribution and giving back to the community and we have dedicated this section of the forest to our city dignitaries who have worked on behalf of the Raanana community.”

In the photo:  Mayor Nahum Hofree, city dignitaries and their family members plant a tree in the dignitaries section.  Photo taken by Motti Ben Aroya.