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Back to our roots By Irit Rosenblum The ability to enjoy tourism without using up nature's resources is gaining popularity in Israel, and a non-governmental body has been set up for this purpose, Ecotourism Israel. The organization hopes to bring about an ecological change in tourism, that will lead to an ecological change in the daily lives of the entire Israeli public. The group aims to increase awareness and promote education in the field of eco-tourism, while providing information and tools to those who wish to develop the eco-tourism infrastructure. The Negev Development Authority portrays eco-tourism, especially that in the Negev, as an inseparable part of the natural, social and human surroundings. Eco-tourist sites in the Negev offer accommodations, trips, food and experiences that utilize the resources of the surroundings in an informed way. Over the past decade, the Negev has turned into an incubator for the development of eco-tourism sites that rely on the natural resources of the Negev without harming the desert. Advertisement The following ecology-oriented events will take place during the intermediate days of Sukkot: The Golan oil press at Katzrin: A guided journey in the footsteps of the olive, at the ecological olive oil factory. The oil press is located opposite the Golan Heights winery. Tours during the holiday season cost NIS 10 (from the age of six). For details, call 04-6850023. Bio Tour, Sde Eliyahu: The Beit Shean valley kibbutz specializes in natural pest extermination and biological agriculture in general. During the intermediate days of Sukkot, tours will be held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 10 A.M. to 12 noon, and from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. On Friday, only the morning tour will take place. Price: NIS 30 per person. It is necessary to register in advance. For details, call 04-6096986, 054-5640971, or via the web site: www.bio-tour.com "My green house" exhibition at Madatech, the national museum for science, technology and space in Haifa. The exhibition shows how everyone can save energy at home. Another exhibition at the museum, "Green energy," shows mainly how electricity can be derived from alternative energy sources. The museum is located at 25 Shmaryahu Levine St., on the corner of 12, Balfour St., Hadar HaCarmel, Haifa. For details, call 04-8614444 and see the Internet site: www.madatech.org.il "The ball is in our hands." This colorful ecological festival for the entire family will take place in Ra'anana Park on October 15 and 16, from 4 P.M. until 10 P.M. A giant monster built from recycled bottles will be hiding in the lake, and little hand-built boats will float on the lake trying to find it. The percussionist Chen Zimbalista will give a performance with a string quintet, "Drumming green," using natural percussion instruments every evening at 7 P.M. and 8.30 P.M. In addition, there will be workshops with the artist Brigitte Cartier (NIS 5 per participant) a workshop for natural creations using pine cones and various recycled objects, an ecological theater for children, a puppet show, a workshop for making dolls from recycled materials, a barter market for the exchange of toys, performances by artists and other surprises. Residents of Ra'anana can participate by paying with one plastic bottle. Entrance for visitors from outside the city is NIS 10. For details, call 09-7610342. The Tal Bashan Center for traditional building with earth will hold a practical course on traditional and modern horticulture, traditional building with stone and earth, mountain agriculture and home gardening at the Sataf springs in the Jerusalem hills during the intermediate days of Sukkot, conducted by Tal and Gidi Bashan and Gilad Margalit. For details and registration: talgidi@012.net.il "Utopia." The first ecological orchid park in Israel inside a tropical rain forest, containing more than 20,000 orchids, water plants, colored bananas and tropical plants that live there under optimal conditions. The park is located at the entrance to Kibbutz Bahan in the Hefer valley, and covers more than 30 dunams (almost eight acres). The park will be open every day during the holiday until 8 P.M. Entrance fee: NIS 40 (adult) or NIS 30 (child). For details, call 09-8782191 or visit www.utopiapark.co.il "Hagan shel Ran" (Ran's garden) at Kibbutz Nir Oz. A guided tour of a "green spot" in the Negev, an ecological garden that saves on water. Tours must be coordinated in advance. Entrance: NIS 25 for adults and NIS 15 for children. Tel. 054-7916602. "The pomegranate and lulav path." An exciting agricultural tour in the Besor region conducted by agronomist Uri Alon. The tour lasts approximately three hours and is meant for groups of adults or for families. It includes, among other things, a visit to a pomegranate orchard, hothouses for biological peppers, hothouses for hanging cherry tomatoes, and observing a giant bee. The tour costs NIS 42 per participant. Tours must be coordinated in advance with Shuli Alon 052-8606265, Uri Alon 052-8535442, or at www.salat4u.co.il An agricultural tour with an autumn flavor at Kibbutz Kissufim. The tour takes visitors to the fragrant orchards and groves of the kibbutz, and to the different agricultural branches. Tours must be coordinated in advance via 08-9928777 or 054-7917999. Price is NIS 15 for children over three years old and adults. Kibbutz Tze'elim will host agricultural tours in which visitors can learn how to grow potatoes, carrots and radishes, and to pick these vegetables and take them home. The tour is conducted by a licensed guide, in private vehicles, and also includes a visit to an ostrich farm. Tours leave at 10 A.M. and cost NIS 15 per person. Book in advance via 08-9989268. The Hatzeva field school will offer a large number of conducted tours on all days of the Sukkot festival and at all hours of the day. There will also be moonlit tours. The tours are to see desert scenery, view the animals of the desert and the early civilizations that lived in the Negev such as at the Biblical city of Tamar. Tours cost NIS 30 for adults and NIS 20 for children. Guests at the field school pay NIS 15. Details from 08-6581546/76. Ecology and creation at Kibbutz Lotan. The kibbutz, which was awarded a prize for ecological villages, conducts tours to familiarize visitors with mud huts that do not use electricity and include a visit to a tea house that also serves as a venue for exhibiting art works from the region. The tour leaves daily at 9 A.M. (except Saturdays and Jewish holidays) from the parking lot in front of the holiday village. The kibbutz is also offering tours of the southern nature trail on October 16 and 19. The tours, with a licensed guide, will concentrate on birds' flight paths, archaeology, nature, history and regional agriculture, especially date harvesting. Tours will depart at 10 A.M. from the parking lot in front of the holiday village. For details and booking, call 054-9799030. Agriculture for peace at Kibbutz Yahel. A tour in private vehicles to see the new communities living in the Arava and their agricultural achievements through cooperation with the Jordanians. A visit to the cowsheds, sheep pens, date groves and pomelo orchard. The tour leaves from the entrance to the guest house "Ma'ayan Bamidbar" at 4.30 P.M. Details and booking via 08-6357967. Yonatan Alikis has brought astronomy to Merkaz Sapir in the Arava. This is an opportunity to get to know star constellations in the skies by using the naked eye or a 30cm telescope that makes it possible to see the craters on the moon, planets, galaxies, nebuli and other phenomena. Entrance: NIS 70 per couple, and in groups of 10 or more persons, NIS 30 per participant. The activities will take place on October 16 and 19 at 7 P.M., 9 P.M. and 11 P.M. Details at 054-43060361. Holot Mekman, an ecological village next to Mashabim junction. The village is built from local materials - stone, home-made mud bricks and tree trunks. The shape of the buildings is adapted to the topography with emphasis on desert architecture, helping man to adapt to the desert and the use of wind and sun for energy. During the holiday, tours will be held free of charge, to explain ecological construction. Tours will be held daily between 5 P.M. and 8 P.M. at the village. There is also a possibility of accommodation and food at the village. Details from 052-2368175. Hai Negev at Kibbutz Revivim. This is the start of the olive harvest, and tastings of piquant olives and olive oil will be held daily from 9 A.M. until 5 P.M. There will also be creative workshops, a zoo, a corner for petting and feeding animals, earth building and so forth. Groups that coordinate visits in advance can go to the olive orchards, where hand-picking takes place and oil is pressed. Possibility of sleeping at the site. Activities cost NIS 14 per adult and NIS 12 per child. Details from 08-6562688. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hair apparent Ultra-Orthodox shop unveils 'Sarah Palin Wig' based on Alaska governor's famous 'do. 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