National Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS)

NEWS was established in 1996 (former name, Friends of Plants Society) as an independent, non-profit NGO. It is engaged in activities in different areas concerning protection of the environment, wildlife issues and promotion of sustainable development. NEWS consists of a team of volunteers addressing different environmental issues, who create, refine and disseminate environmental knowledge to help policy–makers and the general public protect the environment and wildlife and manage and use natural and environmental resources wisely and sustainably.

The objectives of NEWS are:

to promote the nutritional, environmental, health, and commercial value of plant resources in Jordan and to encourage people to utilize them in a proper and sustainable manner;
to conduct surveys, research, and studies and document the results of local knowledge of environment and plant resources in service of the community;
to encourage public participation in protecting the environment and nature and to adopt environmentally sound initiatives;
to increase the area of vegetation cover in urban communities, specifically to focus activities on key intermediary community members such as journalists and women;
to work towards the establishment and application of policies, standards and actions for the protection and improvement of the Jordanian wildlife;
to keep major environmental elements healthy and balanced by adopting a national framework for the conservation of the environment;
to decrease environmental pollution;
to identify local environmental problems and participate in finding solutions to such problems in accordance with national priorities;
to improve the level of environmental awareness among all strata of the Jordanian community;
to inspire self-commitment and generate national feelings towards environmental matters;
and to conserve the use of natural resources, hence creating new positive behavioral patterns towards the environment.

NEWS has more than 150 individual members.They represent interested public, scientists, environmentalists, botanists, journalists, and policy makers.The main office is located in Amman. There are no chapters established. However, NEWS by-laws allow for the formation of two chapters, one in the north and one in the south. Many members of NEWS are environmental management trainers in the field of train of trainers TOT, environmental impact assessment EIA, environmental auditing, environmental report writing, and public awareness.

An elected Board of Directors runs NEWS. It also has an Information, Public Relations, and Membership Development Committees and Programs, Projects and Finance Committees. Princess Basma Bint Ali is the Honorary President of NEWS. NEWS is made up of the General Assembly (legislative), the Board members (executive), and the Board of Trustees (advisory).

NEWS Publishes a monthly newsletter “Dahnoun” that documents its activities and future plans.

At the NEWS premises a bi-monthly program on awareness and information exchange is held.

A Wildlife Taskforce addresses the issues of wildlife and is currently formulating a plan for NEWS to follow in this regard. Recycling of plastics, metals and paper is important for NEWS, which works with the Cans for Kids program, started at Near East Foundation. Also, NEWS is host to many volunteers and is always developing its volunteer program further.

NEWS has opened channels of cooperation with several national and international environment groups. It is a member of the Arab Network for Environment and Development RAED. Host to the Mediterranean Ecological Media Network Secretariat, NEWS has launched an awareness and training campaign for journalists. In June 1999, NEWS started, for 20 months, a “Journalist Awareness Program” (JAP) in cooperation with the General Corporation for Environmental Protection GCEP and the German GTZ. Moreover, NEWS has established links with the International Hotel, Haya Cultural Center, WWF International in Rome, Greater Amman Municipality and many other national and international organizations in Amman to promote awareness to hotel staff and the nearby community. Other links NEWS has recently made include with WHO/CEHA and Peace Corps Jordan. NEWS is also currently applying to IUCN. The concept of establishing a botanical garden is an idea thought of on the basis of serving the public through introducing them to different types of plants.

Membership is opened to all people. Those who are Jordanian and above 18 years of age are considered active members, whereas students and non-Jordanians are supportive members. To become a member you need only to fill out an application form and pay annual fees equal to 6 JD for active and non-Jordanian members and 2 JD for students. Organizations also can become members and should pay annual fees of 30 JD.