Seven important rules for a successful nature trip from the Society for the Protection of Nature
The Engagement Reserve Photo: Netanya Municipality
—–
Passover and the upcoming weekdays are among the most sought after periods for nature walks, with tens of thousands of hikers taking advantage of the holiday atmosphere, freedom from work and pleasant weather to hike in nature reserves and national parks, enjoy the beautiful blooms and a variety of activities and experiences offered to the general public. At the same time, in order for the trip to be remembered as a positive experience and for us to return home in peace, it is important to follow a few rules.
* Here are some important rules coordinated by the Nature and Parks Authority for nature travelers *.
Preparation in advance
It is very important to plan the route in advance and be familiar with its details such as its length, duration of the trip, degree of difficulty and what type of hikers it is suitable for, whether for families and a certain age of children or for hikers. It is also important to keep up to date with the expected weather and adjust the route accordingly. Thus one should avoid for example long hiking trails in the desert with extreme heat load or walking in streams in weather forecast floods in prone areas like the southern and eastern streams. For information on the routes, you can use the website of the Nature and Parks Authority, which recently launched a hiking search engine with more than 150 hiking trails of all types and for all target audiences in nature reserves and national parks. In addition, it is possible to use the information stations of the Nature and Parks Authority spread throughout the country in the requested hiking areas and the information center of the authority numbered 3639 *.
Stay on track
It is important to have an updated trail marking map, read the signage instructions posted in the area at the entrance to the reserve and at the beginning of the route, and obey the instructions of the inspectors in the area. Be sure to walk the carefully planned marked trails and do not be tempted to deviate from them even if it seems to you that there is some point of interest or scenery worth seeing or discovering. This can result in getting lost, harming nature and endangering your life.
Walk only during daylight hours
Make sure a hike begins at daylight, about an hour after sunrise, and ends before dark. Walking in the dark is dangerous and strictly forbidden. For safety, take safety intervals on schedules. If you have lost your way and the night is approaching, stop by and call for help (Hotline 100).
Equip accordingly
Take a sufficient amount of water with you depending on the nature of the trip. No less than a liter of water per person per hour of walking depending on the duration of the route and the expected weather. Alongside this, prepare with suitable equipment: suitable and comfortable clothing for hiking, walking shoes, sunscreen, a head covering and also a mobile phone with a charged battery.
We updated who needs it about the trip
It is recommended to update those close to you with the details of the route and leave a written message on the authority’s websites or on the car window detailing the details of the traveler, telephone, planned route, number of participants and schedule. This is extremely critical in case you get lost or delayed on the route and the hour of darkness approaches.
Take care of yourself but also of nature
The beautiful nature of Israel is ours and it is important to preserve it. Avoid leaving dirt behind and take a garbage bag with you to collect the waste during the route. Human waste, in addition to harming the landscape and aesthetic side of nature, is very dangerous for animals that may suffocate from it and also increases the risk of fires. Do not approach wildlife, not even for the purpose of photography, and do not feed them. This contact removes the natural fear of wildlife from humans and as a result brings them closer to human environments. Proximity that endangers wildlife leads, among other things, to the danger of trampling and nutrition from garbage residues that does not meet their nutritional requirements and also endangers us: increases conflict, nuisance and friction with humans. Meanwhile spring days are also the flowering days of many flower species. In order to preserve nature and its beauty, be careful not to trample or pick the flowers.
Firewood not from the reserve
In nature reserves and national parks, burning is prohibited except in places where the signage allows it, and only in places or facilities designated for this purpose. Meanwhile, local vegetation must not be burned: trees, shrubs, branches and twigs. Vegetation, even if dry, is essential for the ecosystem and wildlife in a variety of uses: insane hiding place, birdwatching stand, sun shade, mammalian food, insect and fungal habitat, organic matter that nourishes and stabilizes the soil and more. Please stock up on firewood and firewood in advance, which can also be purchased at the convenience stores at the gas stations and the night parking lots of the Nature and Parks Authority.
During the holiday, the Nature and Parks Authority will place dozens of information stations throughout the country in the desired hiking areas, and in addition to guiding and guiding hikers, garbage bags will also be distributed to hikers. Welcome to come visit.
Please also note that in the shadow of the existing corona restrictions and visit quotas at each site, entry to nature reserves and national parks for a fee will only be allowed by prior arrangement through the registration system on the Nature and Parks Authority website.
For information on activities and special experiences for Passover and the Sabbath of the Nature and Parks Authority, as well as to arrange a visit in advance, visit the Authority’s website: https://www.parks.org.il/