BERC is proud to share the release of "Palestine (West Bank) Red List No. 3 – Native Vascular Plants", a landmark publication highlighting the urgent need to protect Palestine’s rich plant heritage. For the first time in Palestine, the assessment was conducted using the official IUCN Red List categories and criteria, providing a globally recognized evaluation of extinction risk.
A total of 1,741 native plant species were assessed, with over 27% found to be threatened: 94 Critically Endangered, 170 Endangered, and 218 Vulnerable. Additionally, 27 species were confirmed extinct. This achievement is the result of a long-term cumulative effort by the Biodiversity and Environmental Research Center (BERC) and represents the most comprehensive Red List ever produced for the native flora of Palestine. This Red List is more than a scientific report—it is a call to action and a tribute to the resilience of our native flora. As Prof. Mohammed S. Ali Shtayeh reflects, “These aren’t just plants; they are old friends… This work is for them,” and in the words of Dr. Rana M. Jamous, “Every plant we save is a promise to future generations: a promise of beauty, resilience, and identity.” As Salam Abuzaitoun powerfully puts it, “Nature has no voice, but through this work, we’ve tried to speak for it. It’s time for action..”
