American Consul General Marks Wildlife Conservation Day with a Hike in Wadi Qelt

December 7, 2012

In observance of Wildlife Conservation Day, American Consul General Michael Ratney joined Palestinian naturalists on December 7 for a hike in Wadi Qelt to observe local flora and fauna in one of the West Bank’s most vibrant natural habitats.

The purpose of the hike was to emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation, as well as underscore mutual concerns shared by the U.S. Government and Palestinians: protection of natural landscapes and ecosystems and development of civil society organizations and ecotourism opportunities that create awareness of various environmental issues.

During the hike, Consul General Ratney commented, “I’m overwhelmed by the beauty of Ein Fawwar and the diversity of its wildlife, and appreciate this opportunity to better understand the environmental resources that the Wadi Qelt region offers, the challenges it faces, and the possibility of cross-border cooperation to solve environmental problems.”

The Consul General was guided by Iyad Aburdeineh, an environmental consultant who has worked with the Water and Environmental Development Organization and Friends of the Earth – Middle East, and Sami Backleh, Regional Coordinator for the Quebec-Labrador Foundation (QLF) / Atlantic Center for the Environment’s Middle East Program and freelance environmental consultant with the Friends of the Earth – Middle East.

For more information please contact the Consulate General Press Office at 02-622-6909 or Information Assistant Hassna Dajani at 054-6620257.