The winners for 2005, all firmly dedicated to promoting the cause of the environment, represent all sectors of Israel's society and include neighborhood, municipal and regional groups as well as individual volunteers who have set out to make a real difference in the environment in Israel.

Director General of the Ministry of the Environment, Dr. Miriam Haran, has lauded the activities of the volunteers, saying, "In your exemplary voluntary activities you have proven that for you commitment to the environment is not just a value but a way of life." She added that the Ministry of the Environment has always viewed environmental organizations as true partners in the advancement of environmental issues.

The winners for 2005 include:

Hadassah Recycling Team, Jerusalem: This unique project was initiated by Jerusalem's Hadassah Medical Center in 1993. As part of the project 20 physically and mentally challenged youngsters collect and sort materials for recycling. A "green station" was set up in the parking lot of the hospital, the first of its kind in Israel, which serves as a collection point for waste materials that are transferred to the recycling team by hospital employees.

"Adam l'Adam - Haver" (Human to Human - Friend): First set up in 1987, this organization includes Jewish, Arab and Druze women, working alongside one another, for whom the environment serves as a bridge for promoting understanding and friendship among different sectors of the population. Members serve as "cleanliness trustees" and take part in environmental activities.

Coalition for Public Health, Haifa: The coalition was established following the publication of data on high rates of morbidity and mortality in Haifa and the north due to cardiac problems, strokes and cancer. It aims at reducing environmental contamination and improving quality of life and the environment The coalition unites 20 local and national environmental organizations, dozens of professionals, including scientists, physicians, and environmental advisers, and hundreds of concerned citizens who are ready to act on behalf of the environment.

Public Forum for the Environment, Ashdod: The Forum spearheads public action on behalf of a cleaner, more aesthetic and healthier environment and against the exploitation of public space for private use. It takes an active part in planning decisions and its volunteers serve as environmental "watchdogs" in Ashdod and its vicinity. The Forum has helped reduce pollution in the Lachish River, organized marches on behalf of the sand park in the city, helped cancel a project for seacoast development for residential building and promoted bicycle trails.

Green Rahat Association: This environmental organization in the Bedouin city of Rahat in the Negev was established by a group of local students, teachers and residents in order to increase environmental awareness. The group takes an active part in environmental planning and education. Achievements include: elimination of illegal garbage sites, protection of public spaces, closure of illegal gas stations, improvements of the sewage system and better maintenance of dumpsters.

Rotary Club, Ness Ziona: Volunteers of this organization, which have grown from 30 to 300, have worked on behalf of the environment for ten years by collecting unused surplus medicines from residents for two purposes: preventing their disposal to dumpsters so as to prevent contamination of groundwater and drinking water and transfer of unexpired medications to the needy, both in Israel and abroad.

Samuel Chayen, Kibbutz Yifat: Samuel Chayen's voluntary activities center around increasing environmental awareness and participation, largely through the media. In 2002, he established an Environmental Forum in the Ynet website, the first public internet forum on the environment in Israel. In addition to increasing environmental awareness, the forum has also helped recruit environmental activists. Mr. Chayen publishes widely in the media, including articles about the link between Judaism and the environment.

Abed Nimrana, Sha'ab: Abed Nimrana, a founder of the El-Amal (The Hope) Association, teaches geography and environmental studies, coordinates youth clubs and works with residents of his Galilee village to raise environmental awareness and involvement. He was instrumental in establishing the coalition of green organizations on behalf of the Sajour River and has worked relentlessly to reduce sewage discharge and pollution in the river.

Ze'ev Hegli, Kibbutz Ein Hahoresh: Ze'ev Hegli has volunteered for 30 years on behalf of quality of life and the environment in the Emek Hefer area. As chairman of the "Afikei Emek Hefer" water association, he has been instrumental in waging a public battle to stop the pollution of the Avihail River, one of the tributaries of the Alexander River, and in introducing practical environmental solutions such as a wastewater treatment plant to utilize effluents for irrigation. As a water engineer, he also took part in developing innovative biological technologies for treating effluents and drafting bylaws aimed at preventing environmental contamination and salination by effluents and wastewater.

Shoshi Goldberg, Jerusalem: Shoshi Goldberg, an inspector in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve in the 1980s, has waged a public battle over the past several years to rehabilitate the Ein Gedi oasis in the face of water losses due to the diversion of water away from the reserve. By collecting and analyzing information and presenting it to environmentalists, hydrologists, politicians and journalists, she succeeded in placing the issue on Israel's agenda. Her struggle on behalf of the rehabilitation of the Ein Gedi Reserve led to discussions on its future and to the involvement of the Nature and Parks Authority, the Water Commission and the Ministry of the Environment.

Yossi Kimchi, Mevasseret Zion: As one of the founders of "Telem," (Residents for Mevasseret), Yossi Kimchi volunteers on behalf of the environment in Jerusalem and its environs within the framework of several organizations. He was one of the founders of the Committee to Save the Arazim Valley, the Green Headquarters and the Coalition for the Preservation of the Jerusalem Hills. Mr. Kimchi invests major efforts in promoting educational education, public transportation and urban planning.

Chaya Shmuelov, Kiryat Tivon: Chaya Shmuelov has been active in promoting environmental quality and reducing air pollution in Kiryat Tivon and the north while working to place the environment on the municipal and government agenda. She was one of the founders of ALEH Tivon (leaf, in Hebrew), an apolitical association working on behalf of the environment in Kiryat Tivon and its environs, which also represents the residents of Tivon in the Coalition for Public Health.

Eliahu Sror, Beersheba: Eliahu Sror, recommended by the Ministry of the Environment as an "Animal Welfare Trustee," is one of the founders of the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Beersheba. He took over the management of this association when it was short of funds and manpower, and succeeded in developing it, recruiting volunteers and making it economically independent. He was also instrumental in setting up a veterinary clinic to serve the association.

Amit Weiner, Ganei Hadar: Amit Weiner, recommended by the Ministry of the Environment as a "cleanliness trustee," is one of the ministry's most active trustees. Over the years, he has submitted hundreds of reports on cleanliness offenses, with a total of 110 reports in 2004 alone.

Winners of Certificates of Recognition for Special Activity:

Dr. Martin Weyl, Jerusalem: As director of the Beracha Foundation, Dr. Martin Weyl has dedicated himself to building a healthy environment, a healthy economy and a healthy society in Israel. Under his direction, the Beracha Foundation has allocated significant sums of money for environmental projects throughout the country. Especially noteworthy is his activity on behalf of the Ayalon Park, at the site of the Hiriya landfill, a sanitary and visual eyesore in Great Tel Aviv area. The Beracha Foundation will allocate some NIS 50 million for development of the park in the first phase and Dr. Weyl has been an active partner in the planning of the recycling park at the site. His activities have catalyzed and inspired the country's decision makers to take action on behalf of the environment.

Bnei Moshavim Association: Some 800 youngsters from kibbutzim, moshavim and other communities throughout Israel are members of this youth group, set up in memory of Yossi Yafe, a former commander of the paratroopers, who fell in action. The youngsters take an active part in blazing trails, cleaning up rivers, and rehabilitating heritage sites. Most of the efforts of this youth group are devoted to educating the younger generation to take part in social and environmental action on behalf of country, society and environment.

Philip Foxman: Dividing his time between Australia and Israel, Philip Foxman is responsible for setting up "Clean Up Israel" in addition to his ongoing volunteer activities on behalf of environmental education and awareness in Israel. "Clean Up Israel" initiates activities on behalf of the community and the environment, including annual cleanup days, and Philip Foxman has even been known to fund some of these activities from his own pocket.