Day of Planting Enjoyed by All

ESRA's Project of Excellence at the Ruppin Marine Science Institute in Michmoret takes place every Thursday afternoon. The project caters to 36 motivated, underprivileged teenagers who come to the Institute for enrichment in the sciences, ecology, marine biology and teamwork skills. The project works on the ideal of "Give and Take" – each side caring for and influencing the other and the surroundings.

The children of the project, who enjoy this enrichment program for two years, are giving back to Ruppin a community garden, "Neve ESRA", which they plant and care for. During the first two years we planted trees, shrubs and decorative plants kindly donated by Hannah Wende from her ESRA Australian plant nursery in Ein Vered, as well as plants received from Keren Kayemet. Today we are planting vegetables and greens.

This year on Tu B'Shvat the teenagers planted greens donated by the Hashtil Nursery at Beit Yitzhak and herbs donated by the Meltzer Nursery on Kfar Yedidya. The day of planting was a great success enjoyed by the teenagers, the students and the volunteers.

If you'd like to visit the Institute and our lovely garden, or join in our bi-monthly birthday parties, you're welcome to call and arrange a visit. Dorith: 054 561 6620

Dorith Bigon is ESRA's volunteer Project Coordinator.