Mazin Qumsiyeh Introduces Us To Palestine Nature

Dear friends and supporters

We announce the launch of http://www.palestinenature.org/ and associated facebook and twitter for the new Palestine Museum of Natural History. Thanks to our volunteers: webmaster Basil and server logistics Dany. On the draft webpages you will find:

- In the 'home' page selected photos from our thousands of photos of nature in Palestine and easy access to other pages

- In 'About Us' sections on history, mission, and goals of the museum (those are also listed below) 

- In 'Research' a glimpse of our diverse research activities

- In 'News' page summaries of activities and ongoing new developments

- Ways you can support us by donating or volunteering or networking with us

- and much more

All and more at http://www.palestinenature.org/ . Your input on web structure and your contribution of ideas and material would be appreciated. We are building something unique and different based on volunteer efforts in Palestine so we need you.  Please also visit us (physically or virtually on the web). You can also share (like) our facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palestine-Museum-of-Natural-History/1454309858180882

and/or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PalMNH

email us at info@palestinenature.org to give us feedback and suggestions and also if you can help. We will try to grow the website (and the museum) quickly with your help. 

Mission: The Palestine Institute of Biodiversity Research and Palestine Museum of Natural History (PMNH) will work to research, educate about, and conserve our natural world, culture and heritage and use knowledge to promote responsible human interactions with our environment.

Goals:

1) Explore and research the diversity of the fauna, flora, and human ethnography via collections and research.

2) Environmental protection and responsible interaction between people and the environment. This includes building environmental awareness and encouraging conservation of natural resources including connecting this to Palestinian heritage.

3) Use the knowledge gained and the books and databases and collections to promote science education so that this institute becomes one that helps all segments of society in areas like biology, ecology, technology, archaeology, ethnology etc.

4) Cataloging and building a physical and an electronic data base of all animal and plant species existing as well as beginning to catalog and preserve objects/specimens related to natural history and biodiversity (including human diversity and history).

5) Develop respect a) for ourselves (self empowerment), b) for our fellow human beings (regardless of background), and c) for all living creatures and our shared earth.

We need YOUR support. Contact us at nfo@palestinenature.org

Mazin Qumsiyeh

Professor

Volunteer Director, Palestine Museum of Natural History (Bethlehem University)