This poster shows two boys of different ages bending down to a flower. The younger boy is trying to pick the flower, while the older one is putting his hand on the younger boy’s arm to stop him. Both boys are wearing blue and white clothing, possibly symbolising the colours of the Israeli flag. The older boy is wearing a kovah tembel, the classic tembel hat of the Israeli Sabra. The red flower is likely to be the kalaniya (poppy anemone), a wild flower that typically grows during the winter months. This flower is a national protected flower, and it is forbidden by law to pick it. At the top of the poster is written: “Nature Preservation Week, 9-18 Shvat 5730, 16- 25 January 1970.” At the bottom of the poster is the slogan “Go into nature but don’t pick,” referring to the importance of enjoying nature while protecting it and not disturbing the plants and wildlife.
This poster was printed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority as part of a public awareness campaign about nature preservation. In 1964, conservation organisations pressured the government into enacting a law against the picking of wild flowers. The law stated that anyone caught picking wildflowers would receive a fine. This law and the campaign caused a great change in Israel whose effects can be felt to this day. This poster is an example of this campaign that was promoted by kindergarten and school teachers who educated pupils about the implications of picking wildflowers and their potential extinction. The campaign was considered extremely successful in raising public awareness about the need to protect nature.
The date chosen for Nature Preservation Week purposefully coincided with Tu B’Shvat. Tu B’Shvat is known as the “Festival of Trees” and the “New Year” for nature. In 1908, the teachers union in Jerusalem decided to change Tu B’shvat to the “Festival of Planting,” and it became customary to plant trees. Nowadays, Tu B’Shvat is still celebrated by planting trees, eating fruits, and looking after nature and the environment.
