The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel החברה להגנת הטבע

What The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel החברה להגנת הטבע does

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI, החברה להגנת הטבע) is Israel's oldest and largest independent environmental nonprofit association (Amutah), headquartered at HaNegev 2, Tel Aviv. Founded in 1953 per firmographic records (1956 per the internal history timeline), the organization has operated for over 70 years under CEO Iris Han (איריס האן) with a workforce exceeding 700 employees across Israel. SPNI's core mission combines environmental advocacy, conservation, public education, and outdoor recreation. Its physical infrastructure footprint is uniquely large: approximately 10,000 km of marked hiking trails across Israel, including the flagship Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisrael, ~1,000 km), 13+ field schools nationwide, the Maagan Michael Birding Park, and the co-managed Eilat Birding Park. Operational services include the Moked Teva 24/7 hiker safety hotline and GPS-based tracking, the Bishvil HaTeva mobile application, citizen science programs, summer camps, the Eretz Ahavati adult group tour program, and trail map/guide sales through an e-commerce shop.

The organization's business model is community-led and subscription-anchored. Revenue is drawn from a tiered membership program (Family ₪21/month, Individual ₪17/month, Youth 18–24 ₪9/month — auto-renewing monthly or annually), one-time and recurring donations processed through the IsraelGives platform, transactional fees from guided trips, summer camps, Eretz Ahavati tours and field school lodging, and one-time sales of trail maps and marking guides. The go-to-market motion combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce, community-led membership recruitment, and event-driven engagement (school trips, citizen science, safety coordination). Customer segments span a broad public of nature-oriented individuals and families, students and educational institutions (hundreds of thousands annually), hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and government authorities targeted through lobbying and advocacy. The organization conducts its advocacy through public campaigns, petitions (e.g., 10,000 signatures against phosphate mining), demonstrations, legal action, and coalition-building — achieving notable outcomes including halting the Ramon Crater phosphate mine, preventing ~20,000 housing units near Jerusalem hills, and securing Israel's first marine nature reserve at Palmahim Slide (450 sq km) in September 2022.

Strategic partnerships anchor SPNI's institutional position: joint management of the Eilat Birding Park with KKL-JNF, Israel Parks Authority, Eilat Municipality, Eilot Regional Council, and the Ministry of Tourism; funded urban nature programs with the Ministry for Environmental Protection; municipal collaborations (Kiryat Shmona 'City of Rivers,' Nahariya urban nature survey); and international knowledge-sharing with Germany's NABU and regional partners (Jordan, Morocco, Turkey). International recognition includes selection as one of 19 'Outstanding Initiatives' at the UN Convention in China (2022) for the Migration Corridor Conservation project and Mission Blue's Hope Spot designation at Palmahim Slide (2022). No proprietary technology platforms are described; the digital stack comprises the teva.org.il website with e-commerce and magazine functionality, the Bishvil HaTeva mobile app, social media channels, and citizen science data collection workflows. The organization is independently governed by its members, with no parent company, equity investors, or institutional ownership.

Name

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel החברה להגנת הטבע

Legal name

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI)

Website

https://teva.org.il

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) is Israel's oldest and largest independent environmental nonprofit, maintaining 10,000 km of marked trails including the Israel National Trail, operating 13+ field schools and a 24/7 hiker safety hotline, and serving tens of thousands of members and hundreds of thousands of students annually through conservation advocacy, environmental education, and outdoor recreation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC), Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

Keywords

• Nature conservation services
• Environmental advocacy
• Outdoor education programs
• Trail marking systems
• Wildlife protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Tel Aviv

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Monthly subscription fees from community members (members of the nature protection community). Tiers: family (21₪/month), individual (17₪/month), youth 18-24 (9₪/month). Auto-renewing monthly or annual payments.
2. Trail map and trail marking products: Sale of trail marking maps and guides through the organization's shop, covering hiking routes across Israel.
3. Guided trips and activities: Sale of guided hiking trips, summer camps, and Eretz Ahavati group tours for adults and families.
4. Field school lodging and programs: Lodging and educational programs at field schools across Israel, including Hashomer Hatzair field school and others.
5. Donations: One-time and recurring donations from members and supporters, processed through the IsraelGives platform and direct transfers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) is an independent nonprofit association that safeguards Israel's open spaces, biodiversity, and natural heritage. It delivers nature conservation through environmental advocacy, trail marking and maintenance across a 10,000+ km trail network, field schools, guided outdoor trips, summer camps, and public engagement programs. Core outputs include conservation campaigns, environmental education for children and adults, scientific surveys, and partnerships with government bodies to influence environmental policy and protected-area management.

Product overview

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) offers a portfolio of nature conservation and outdoor recreation products and services. The core offerings include the Israel National Trail (approximately 1,000 km of marked hiking trails), trail maps, and the Moked Teva (24/7 safety hotline and trip coordination center). SPNI operates Field Schools throughout Israel providing environmental education and accommodations, alongside summer camps and the Erez Ahavati adult trip program. The membership program (starting at 9₪/month for young adults) provides access to discounted guided tours, free activities, and member-exclusive events. Additional services include the Bishvil HaTeva mobile app, citizen science programs, the Eilat Birding Center, the Maagan Michael Birding Park, and an online magazine covering Israeli nature news. The portfolio is unified under SPNI's mission to protect Israeli nature while providing outdoor recreation and education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• החצי הכחול (The Blue Half / HaChitzi HaKachol): Marine conservation project of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel

Products and services

• Israel National Trail (Shvil Israel / שביל ישראל) A roughly 1,000 km north-to-south hiking route crossing the entire State of Israel, marked, signed, and maintained by SPNI for hikers of all ages.
• Trail Maps and Hiking Guides Printed and digital trail maps covering SPNI-marked hiking routes, sold to the public for navigation and trip planning.
• Field Schools (Teva Schools / בתי ספר שדה) A nationwide network of residential and day field schools providing immersive nature-based education programs for school groups, families, and adults.
• Summer Camps (Mahanot Katif / מחנות קיץ) Multi-day nature-immersion summer camps for children and youth, run by SPNI field schools.
• Adult Guided Trips (Eretz Ahavati / ארץ אהבתי) A program of curated, guided multi-day and single-day trips across Israel, available to adult subscribers and members.
• Birding Centers (Maagan Michael and Eilat / מרכזי צפרות) Visitor-oriented birding parks and centers (including Maagan Michael and Eilat) offering public access, observation facilities, and educational programming for birdwatchers.
• SPNI Membership Program Annual paid membership tiers that provide benefits including discounts on guided trips, the organization's printed magazine, and program access.
• SPNI Magazine (HaTeva VaHaaretz / הטבע והארץ) A printed periodical covering Israeli nature, conservation, and outdoor travel, distributed primarily to members.
• Moked Teva (Nature Hotline / מוקד טבע) A national public hotline for nature-related incidents, wildlife injury reports, and environmental hazards, providing real-time guidance and coordination.
• Bishvil HaTeva App (בשביל הטבע) A mobile application that provides trail information, GPS navigation, and planning tools for SPNI-marked hiking routes across Israel.

Quantifiable outcome

• 450 sq km of deep-sea waters declared Israel's first marine nature reserve at Palmahim Slide (2022), after 5 years of advocacy.
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Palmahim Slide — Hope Spot designationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Mission Blue (founded by Dr. Sylvia Earl) officially adopted Palmahim Slide as a Hope Spot — one of 160 globally and the first in Israel. This followed SPNI's 5-year advocacy campaign to establish Israel's first deep-sea nature reserve. The Hope Spot designation raises international awareness and protection status for the 450 sq km marine area.
• NABU (Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union, Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNABU, Germany's largest environmental association, engages in mutual delegation visits, knowledge sharing, and collaborative environmental projects with SPNI. SPNI's leadership team has met with NABU members to discuss conservation strategies.
• Regional governments and environmental organizations (Jordan, Morocco, Turkey)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPNI participates in sustainability and climate crisis conferences in Marrakech (Morocco) with delegations from Israel, Jordan, Turkey, and Morocco. Includes youth mission exchanges organized with the Ministry of Education.
• KKL-JNF (Jewish National Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint management of the Eilat Birding Park and field school facilities. KKL-JNF is a long-standing partner in land development and afforestation that collaborates on conservation and nature tourism infrastructure.
• Israel Parks Authority (Rishum Teva)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint management of the Eilat Birding Park alongside KKL-JNF, Israel Parks Authority, Eilat municipality, Eilat regional council, and Ministry of Tourism. Parks Authority also collaborates on trail marking and nature reserve management.
• Eilat Municipality and Eilat Regional CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-management of the Eilat Birding Park and joint promotion of bird migration tourism in the Eilat region.
• Ministry for Environmental ProtectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding and collaboration for urban nature surveys, including the Nahariya urban nature survey and the 'Svivatav 2020' program for municipal biodiversity mapping.
• Yarkon-Nekuz Rivers AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on urban stream rehabilitation and management in the Yarkon River basin. SPNI's Urban Nature Unit authored the 'Guide to Urban Stream Stories' for the Yarkon Rivers Authority.
• Kiryat Shmona MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint 'City of Rivers' urban nature program, including stream restoration, ecological surveys, community activities, and promotion of Kiryat Shmona as a nature tourism destination. SPNI awarded the municipality a recognition award at the Rivers Conference.
• Israel Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational youth delegation programs organized with the Ministry of Education send students abroad to learn about conservation, sustainability, and climate crisis response.
• Nature Defense (Adam Teva Vedin)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental law advocacy coalition partner in campaigns including the fight to protect Ein Fait in the Golan Heights.
• Steinhardt Museum of Natural History (Tel Aviv University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizers of the annual bird counting program alongside SPNI, providing citizen science data on bird populations.
• Backyard Birds CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in the annual bird counting program and promotion of urban bird-friendly gardens.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): International wildlife and habitat conservation organization with a strong membership base and global advocacy presence. Comparable to SPNI in mission (habitat protection, citizen engagement, policy advocacy) but operating across many countries.
• Friends of the Earth International: Global federation of environmental advocacy organizations running policy campaigns, public mobilization, and grassroots fundraising — closely analogous to SPNI's advocacy-first operating model and community-driven donation base.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global nonprofit focused on land and water conservation with science-driven advocacy and protected-area management. SPNI operates a similar mission within Israel, combining land acquisition-style advocacy, citizen science, and donor-funded programming.
• Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA): The government body managing Israel's national parks and nature reserves, with which SPNI co-manages protected areas and trails. Both work on habitat conservation, public access to nature, and enforcement of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Law.

Direct peers

• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB): UK's largest nature conservation charity with a subscription membership model, nature reserves, and advocacy function. SPNI's combination of paid membership, reserves/field schools, and policy campaigns closely parallels the RSPB structure.
• Nature Defense (Adam Teva Vedin): Israeli environmental advocacy organization focused on environmental law, public campaigns, and litigation. SPNI is a coalition partner on multiple campaigns (e.g., Ein Fait protection); the two compete for donor attention and policy influence.
• Sierra Club: One of the largest grassroots environmental organizations in the US with a membership/subscription model, volunteer-led outdoor recreation programming, and active legislative advocacy — structurally analogous to SPNI's community-led, advocacy-and-outdoor-recreation mix.
• National Audubon Society: US-based nonprofit focused on bird and habitat conservation with a membership subscription model, citizen science bird counts, sanctuaries, and policy advocacy. SPNI's Eilat Birding Park and annual bird count programs mirror Audubon's model.
• Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF): Israel's largest land-focused environmental NGO and SPNI's primary operational partner on the Eilat Birding Park, afforestation, and field school infrastructure. Both organizations manage land, advocate on policy, and operate across overlapping conservation domains in Israel.
• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): Germany's largest environmental association, partnered with SPNI on delegation visits and collaborative conservation projects. NABU is a structural peer — membership-based, with advocacy, citizen science, and nature tourism divisions analogous to SPNI's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SPNI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TevaIsrael
• Facebookfacebook.com/tevaorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/teva_il
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-society-for-the-protection-of-nature-in-israel-%D7%94%D7%97%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%92%D7%A0%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%98%D7%91%D7%A2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel החברה להגנת הטבע