If you head to Israel anytime soon, take a look at the rooftops and see how solar panels have been heating water for more than 60 years.

In 1910, the first kibbutz was founded on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, giving the desert a practical chance to bloom. At that time a historical effort was put into action to restore Israel’s forests and transform their distressed landscape into a fertile paradise.

Despite whatever the dark forces of media may like to portray about the conflicts of war in Israel, Israel is one of two countries on earth that has more trees today than it did 100 years ago. From 1513 to 1917, taxes were calculated according to the number of trees on a particular property. So in order to retain wealth, cutting down trees was the best and most obvious option.

It was in 1901 that the Jewish National Fund was formed: its goal to oversee the reforestation of the Land of Israel. As a result of this formation, 200 million trees were planted and transformed the landscape and rose the oxygen levels throughout the country.

Visit Israel today and enjoy organic fruits, vegetables and wines. During your stay, try to make it more green by partaking in biking, camel-trekking, horseback riding and relax in one of the world’s largest natural spas, The Dead Sea, with its rich minerals can heal and rejuvenate your body and soul.

For a country the size of New Jersey, Israel is the new go-to destination for eco and non-eco travelers. View Israel: One Hundred Years of Green for more information.