Over the country's first 55 years of existence, Israel has focused on nation-building, defending the country's borders and absorbing waves of immigration. Concern for the environment-even if raised solely as a concept-has been considered a luxury and not worthy of real consideration.

Times are changing. Israelis are displaying greater interest in the long-term problems that face a developed country and the quality of its environment is becoming a higher priority. Groups of citizens that care are the causative force behind a large number of public organizations in the field of environmental quality that are working to protect the sensitive environment around us and to wipe out the influence of many years of neglect and
deterioration.

From the sea to the forests to the desert, by means of education and public action, voluntary organizations are working with determination to resolve urgent problems and to find long-term solutions. However, their good intentions will never be fulfilled unless they find appropriate sources of support and funding.

The SHELI Fund (a Hebrew acronym for "roots for a green environment") was founded to help these organizations-in their fledgling stages-by means of initial cash flow. Thanks to the SHELI Fund's support, time and time again these environmental organizations have made the difference between an effective response and recurring environmental damage.