On Monday, 13 January 2025, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) held its annual retreat at Bethlehem University. The retreat provided an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of 2024 and discuss priorities for the year ahead, all of which will be detailed in the upcoming 2024 annual report.
During the retreat, PIBS’s ten departments shared updates on their progress over the past year. These presentations highlighted the institute’s achievements, identified challenges, and focused on setting clear goals for 2025. The discussions, which were joined by university officials, centered on enhancing research, education, conservation efforts, and community engagement.
Looking ahead, PIBS has an exciting year planned with several new projects aimed at advancing sustainability and biodiversity education. A key initiative is the opening of PIBS’s new national-level museum of natural history, which will require significant preparation in exhibit design, community outreach, and operational coordination. These projects will help broaden PIBS’s impact in the coming year.
As PIBS enters 2025, the institute remains committed to building on its past successes, continuing to grow, and responding to emerging opportunities and challenges in the years ahead.