During the week of Tu BiShvat some 2,000 young Jews and Bedouin planted around 1,000 saplings in Mishmar HaNegev Forest, which was dubbed The Forest of Hope in honor of the event. JNF Canada has adopted Mishmar HaNegev Forest, and it supported the planting initiative all the way from the land-preparation stage to the event itself and the tree aftercare. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from Israel’s Ministry of Education, by residents of local communities and by KKL-JNF staff members.