Winners of the 2010 Prize

• Prof. Avital Gasith for his pioneering work on river rehabilitation in Israel;
• Clalit Health Services for their commitment to wide ranging activities on behalf of the environment;
• Adi Lustig for her action within the framework of the committee to Save Palmachim Beach;
• The Strauss Group Israel for its comprehensive efforts to meet an ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction target;
• Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel for operating the veteran project "Children Make a Difference";
• Megiddo Regional Council for managing a unique process for the protection of the biosphere region;
• Municipality of Kfar Saba for its comprehensive environmental activities in different authorities.

Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan: "The Ministry of Environmental Protection invests major efforts in protecting the environment in Israel by means of enforcement, legislation, education and information, and more. However, a true environmental revolution will only take place if we encourage action by industrial and public leaders. I initiated the environmental excellence prize in order to identify and grant recognition to the heads of the camp, those who spearhead environmental action in the different sectors. It is our duty to support them and help them instill a sustainable lifestyle among the general public."

Over 90 individuals and organizations submitted their candidacy for the environmental excellence prize, with seven winners in the following categories: volunteers, public sector, local government, industry and commerce, associations and organizations and individuals with outstanding achievements. Recipients received a financial award of 50,000 shekels, designated for the implementation of environmental action of their choice, a certificate of appreciation and a special prize especially designed by Israeli sculptor David Gerstein.

The winners were selected by a professional public committee representing all sectors, headed by the President of the Tel Aviv District Court, Judge (retired) Uri Goren. Other members of the committee included representatives of the Israel Manufacturers Association, academia, local government, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, television, and non-governmental organizations.

More about the winners and the reasons for their selection

1. Individual with Outstanding Achievements, including in Research Category:
   Prof. Avital Gasith
   Prof Gasith has long been identified with the protection and rehabilitation of Israel's rivers, and the principles he formulated have served as the professional basis for decision-making. His surveys and research studies have laid the groundwork for today's river rehabilitation activities.
   
   From the selection committee: As the first to research the ecology of Mediterranean rivers, Prof. Avital Gasit has laid the scientific foundation for the rehabilitation of rivers in Israel. His breakthrough studies have influenced numerous students, and his activities, marked by both excellence and perseverance, have made a real impact on shaping environmental policy in Israel. The prize money will be allocated to support environmental activity in Israel's youth movements."
2. Public Sector Category:
   Clalit Health Services
   The Clalit Health Services (a major health service provider in Israel) have decided to promote the protection of the environment and to transform the organization into a Green Health Fund based on environmental practices. To implement the vision, they have prepared a wide-ranging program and have initiated actions designed to conserve resources, reduce emissions and transform company facilities into green facilities.
   From the selection committee: "Extensive environmental activity is taking place in the Clalit Health Services. This activity touches on numerous areas, including waste treatment, recycling, reduced resource use, energy savings and air pollution prevention. All actions are backed up by the administration, making Clalit into an example of the intrinsic changes which a major organization can spearhead. The prize money will be allocated to a course for the accreditation of 25 environmental trustees in the company's hospitals and facilities."
3. Volunteer Category:
   Adi Lustig -The Committee to Save Palmachim Beach
   The Committee to Save Palmachim Beach was first founded due to the spontaneous organization of a handful of committed people to save one of Israel's coastal stretches. Adi Lustig, one of the primary activists in this struggle, contributed by establishing a public committee, recruiting people from the vicinity and promoting a wide media and public campaign to prevent building along the Palmachim beach. As a result of her efforts and intensive campaigning, building plans for the area were reexamined. From the selection committee: Within a short period of time, Adi Lustig succeeded in raising the subject of construction on the Palmachim beach to the national agenda. By making effective use of the media and other means, she succeeded in recruiting wide public support to prevent the establishment of "facts on the ground." Adi Lustig together with the Committee to Save Palmachim Beach, succeeded in bringing about a reevaluation of the coastal construction issue. The prize money will be dedicated to the continuation of the public struggle.
4. Industry and Commerce Category:
   Israel Strauss Group
   The management of the Strauss Group has decided on a multi-annual target for the Group in Israel: a 15% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions by 2015. To monitor implementation and assure compliance with the target, the company has developed a central monitoring and control device which compiles data from all units (plants, distribution centers and transportation) and generates a monthly summary of greenhouse gas emissions. Specialized professional teams within the organization help facilitate the changes and improvements needed to reduce emissions. Over the past three years, the Group has invested some 25 million shekels in two environmental projects.
   
   From the selection committee: "Widespread environmental activity is taking place in the Strauss Group which focuses on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, based on innovations in the energy field such as burning spent coffee beans to produce steam, resource savings, and increased environmental involvement. The innovation and uniqueness of these activities lies in the setting of measurable, quantitative targets. The prize money will be invested in the development of tools and instruction kits to increase public awareness of the environment and to recruit company employees as ambassadors of environmental awareness in their communities.
5. Associations and Organizations Category :
   Society for the Protection of Nature - for the "Children Make a Difference" Project
   The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel has operated the "Children Make a Difference" educational program for about ten years in dozens of communities throughout Israel with the participation of tens of thousands of students from all sectors of society.
   From the selection committee: The "Children Make a Difference" program is an outstanding veteran program which encompasses dozens of schools and includes a wide variety of components which are directed at both teachers and students. The quality of this well-structured program is reflected in the changes it has wrought among students, and especially, in the long term. The prize money will be dedicated to the continuation of environmental activity with children.
6. Local Government Category:
   Megiddo Regional Council
   In a unique process, initiated some five years ago, the Megiddo Regional Council is promoting the partnership of the public in protecting open spaces and managing them as a biosphere region, based on a perception which views open space as a social tool for achieving environmental quality. The project has been submitted to UNESCO for assessment. In parallel, the Megiddo Regional Council is spearheading the preparation of strategic sustainable development plans in the Association of Regional Councils in Israel.
   From the selection committee: "In an impressive and innovative process, the Megiddo Regional Council is integrating environmental protection and sustainable development in all of its divisions, including the protection of open spaces side by side with the management of human activity within them. In so doing, the Council is spearheading one of the most advanced processes in Israel and in the world and demonstrates true environmental commitment. The prize money will be dedicated to the continued development and enrichment of the ecological farm which deals with sustainability and the environment.
7. .Local Government Category:
   Municipality of Kfar Saba
   Kfar Saba's achievements in the field of municipal environmental management are far-reaching. Within the framework of a unique model to advance municipal management, the environmental protection division of the municipality has promoted sustainability and integrated management of all urban activity. The municipality's strategic vision has led to the adoption of innovative models and to the recruitment of the entire organization in promoting the strategy and translating it into action.
   From the selection committee: Kfar Saba is among the first cities in Israel which is ready to separate waste at source; it has an innovative transportation master plan; and it is a pioneer of green building. The city administration is spearheading this welcome activity in accordance with its comprehensive vision for the recruitment of all stakeholders to the environmental effort. The result is a local authority which stands at the forefront of environmental action. The prize money will be dedicated toward transforming Kfar Saba into "a city without butts" in cooperation with the volunteer association known as "the Sharon Club" which aims to reduce cigarette butt litter in the city and minimize the environmental harm caused by them while raising public awareness of the subject.

Environmental Protection Minister's Prize for Environmental Excellence