Lotan Constructed Wetlands and Ecological- educational Bird Park
The wetlands were built as part of an ecological- educational Bird Park in conjunction with the Jewish National Fund and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel/Bird Life International. It fulfills three main aims:
- Ending of current sewage disposal pollution of the land and aquifer, which is an aesthetic and olifactory nuisance as well as an environmental hazard.
- Built as the heart of a planned ecological – educational Bird Park.
- Serving as an example of extensive wetlands in Arava Valley for other neighboring communities and as a test ground for appropriate plants and building methods to our desert climate.
The Kibbutz Lotan constructed wetland project is worthy of attention because of the technical aspects of the sewage treatment system as well as distinctive elements associated with this particular system:
Testing of the System - The constructed wetlands (CW) system combines a number of Horizontal - Subsurface Flow System (SFS) used predominantly in Europe with a final Free Water Surface System (FWS) “polishing pond” used more commonly in the United States. A succession of specific vegetation was chosen according to the characteristics of the sewage including salinity, the climate and conditions of the wetland location.
The treated water will be utilized completely in a Bird Park that will be built along with the CW within the kibbutz property line. The plan, based on experience gained in the Kibbutz Lotan Bird Reserve and in its Educational Eco-Park, includes open bodies of water for aquatic fowl and a selection of vegetation-like alfalfa which can be grown yearlong. In addition to the ecological niche that the CW vegetation provides, when organically grown it contains no pesticides that affect the migratory bird’s health and reproductive proficiency. The decision to incorporate the CW as an intricate component of a birdwatching-tourism facility will showcase the system so to acquire public acceptance towards impending utilization in other communities.
Links
From Israel's national report to The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention):
Within the framework of the European Union LIFE Third Countries project… the Southern Arava Sustainable Waste Management Plan, approved in 2004 and implemented by the Hevel Eilot Regional Council, includes the establishment and operation of constructed wetlands in Kibbutz Lotan in southern Israel as part of an ecological-educational Bird Park, in conjunction with the Jewish National Fund and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel/BirdLife International. The pilot is accompanied by a monitoring and study program to enrich the scientific data on treating agricultural wastes using the constructed wetlands method in desert areas such as those in Israel.
Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection recognizes the importance of Kibbutz Lotan’s research and development
The European Union participates in developing Kibbutz Lotan’s Constructed Wetlands and Eco-Educational Bird Park Euro-Mediterranean Programme for the Environment
Kibbutz Lotan is a leader of the Eilot Regional Council’s commitment to sustainable development
Southern Arava Sustainable Waste Management Plan - Lotan Constructed Wetlands and Eco-Educational Bird Park
International communities take note of Israel’s Kibbutz Lotan and its green environmental strategies
Contact Lotan Center for Creative Ecology
Leah Zigmond
lotanecocenter@gmail.com
Tel: +972 8 6356811; +972 8 6356935; +972 54 9799024
Toll free (while in Israel): 1800 2000 75
