For nearly a decade, an organization founded by an Israeli professor has been working to protect some of the world’s most endangered ecosystems.
TiME (This Is My Earth) was established in 2015 by Prof. Uri Shanas from the Department of Biology and Environment at the University of Haifa-Oranim. The organization aims to combat species extinction and fight climate change by purchasing and preserving critical habitats.
In recent years, TiME has acquired land—primarily in South America—preventing the destruction of habitats that support hundreds of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and plants. These efforts have also helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions by hundreds of thousands of metric tons.
In an interview with Ynet, Shanas explained TiME’s unique approach: “Our organization allows anyone, anywhere in the world, to join us in purchasing and protecting the most important natural areas on Earth. We do this through crowdfunding, and participation starts at just $1. Every cent of each donation goes directly to land conservation. Supporters even get to vote on which areas we should buy next.”
Each year, a scientific committee composed of experts from around the world selects three biodiversity hotspots—regions with exceptional ecological diversity that are under severe threat. TiME, which operates entirely through volunteers, then launches a crowdfunding campaign to raise the necessary funds.
“These hotspots make up about 2.3% of Earth’s land surface, but over 50% of the areas that need immediate protection are privately owned,” Shanas said. “We rally people to vote on which area they want to save, and once the funds are raised, we purchase the land accordingly. The money is distributed among projects based on voting percentages, ensuring that we meet our conservation goals.”
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In 2024, TiME completed its 10th land acquisition. “We’ve bought land in the upper Amazon, in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Belize and Kenya,” Shanas said. “We want as many people as possible to join us—even with just $1—so we can continue to expand. This year, we’ll add new conservation sites in the Philippines and South America, including a stunning area in Colombia where we hope to help an Indigenous community preserve their land.”
Shanas emphasized that TiME’s sole mission is to protect the planet. “Once we purchase land, we transfer ownership to local conservation organizations, which are legally bound to protect it. Since we don’t take any administrative fees, 100% of the funds go directly toward conservation. We have support systems in place to ensure success, including a major law firm in New York’s Times Square that assists us with legal agreements.”
TiME’s impact has not gone unnoticed. On Thursday evening, following Tu Bishvat, activists from the organization will gather at the home of Peruvian Ambassador to Israel Javier Sánchez-Checa alongside diplomats from countries where TiME operates. The event will mark the organization’s 10th conservation success and its third land purchase in the upper Amazon of Peru.
This year, TiME will help preserve a cloud forest near the first site it ever acquired. The newly protected area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including critically endangered species such as the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, with only about 250 individuals left in the wild.
As of early 2025, TiME has safeguarded more than 12,000 square kilometers of global biodiversity hotspots. The organization is powered entirely by volunteers to ensure that 100% of membership fees—just $1 per person—and donations go directly toward land conservation. According to TiME, every Israeli shekel donated helps protect approximately 6.5 square meters of forest and prevents the release of about 110 kilograms (242 pounds) of carbon into the atmosphere.