Background
Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR) is an Israeli national research institution (non-profit governmental corporation) established in 1967 to generate knowledge for the sustainable use and protection of Israel’s marine, coastal and freshwater resources.
The North American Friends of IOLR (NAF-IOLR) provides support from donors throughout the United States and Canada for innovative research and educational programs at Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, thus helping to ensure its continued excellence and achievements.
IOLR’s Strategy
As a country with a mostly desert climate, a long coastline and limited fresh water resources, Israel faces the same basic environmental challenges as most of the countries of the Middle East. For all the inhabitants of this region, it has always been a primary concern how to live in such a climate: What types of agriculture, industry, and human settlement are sustainable? How can they extend the limits to development imposed by high temperatures and scarcity of water and arable soil?
As Israel grows and develops, the country’s freshwater shortage, the increasing pressure of coastal development and the concern for associated environmental problems all require IOLR to do more than basic research. Its mission has come to include practical applied research in the stewardship of Israel’s lake water, coastline and offshore maritime resources.
Beyond Israel’s shores, IOLR has become an active partner with the European Union in the study and monitoring of the health of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. And IOLR’s innovative research in pressing issues of marine biology such as the restoration of ocean reefs puts it in partnership with the World Bank in addressing issues of global concern.
For Israel, IOLR has become a primary source of knowledge regarding the sustainable utilization of Israel’s marine environment. Israel is at the beginning of a new era with regard to the development of maritime resources, from large-scale seawater desalination and offshore gas production to plans for the construction of artificial islands.
For all of these needs, it is important for Israel to maintain a scientific organization that does leading edge research in marine, coastal, and lake environments.
IOLR’s will enhance the development of new industries based on the use of seawater and saline waters. It will help Israel pursue novel approaches for multiple uses of the country’s coastal and marine resources. And it will help provide fresh options for management of the nation’s water supply, including Lake Kinneret and other reservoirs .
IOLR is such an organization.
Explore this Web site to learn more about a remarkable, world-class research institution that could only be found in Israel.
For more in-depth information about IOLR’s staff, facilities, research, and educational programs please feel free to investigate the IOLR Web site (www.ocean.org.il).These are the research institutes of IOLR:
- National Institute of Oceanography(NIO), Haifa- Studies Israel’s marine and coastal environments and does basic research in marine biology.
- Kinneret Limnological Laboratory (KLL), near Tiberias- Studies and supports management of Lake Kinneret as a sustainable source of fresh water.
- National Center for Mariculture (NCM), Eilat - Develops and transfers know-how in fish farming and marine biotechnology for Israel’s mariculture industry and associated biotech industries.
Water, the essential life-giving element…
Just as water sustains life, the active participation and financial support of the North American Friends of IOLR help to sustain IOLR’s activities. In turn, IOLR’s innovative and rigorous scientific work helps to sustain Israel. and provides essential knowledge needed world-wide.
Emulating IOLR itself, the North American Friends are focused and mission-oriented. Consider joining us in supporting the important scientific research projects of that dynamic and productive organization.