Giselle Hazzan

Giselle Hazzan, 2025-26 Humphrey Fellow at Cornell.

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, 2025-26

Home country: Israel
Specialization: Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
Connect: gh477 [at] cornell.edu
Pronouns: she/her

Giselle Hazzan is Head of the Community Relations Department at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (NPA), where she focuses on participatory nature conservation and community engagement in protected area management. With more than 30 years of experience in nature conservation, environmental education, and public engagement across Israel, she brings deep local knowledge and an understanding of the region’s diverse cultural and social context to her work.

In her role, Giselle builds trust and cooperation between governmental authorities and local communities, developing participatory processes that give residents a voice in decisions on habitat protection, biodiversity conservation, and cultural heritage preservation. Her efforts address critical challenges, including balancing development pressures with the need to protect open landscapes, safeguarding ecosystems under climate change, and maintaining biodiversity in a densely populated country.

Previously, as Director of the Ein Afek Nature Reserve, she received an international award from the Ramsar Convention for her leadership in wetland restoration, which integrated scientific research, education, and community involvement.

Giselle holds an M.Sc. in Urban and Regional Planning, a B.Sc. in Biology, and a diploma in science education. She is committed to promoting inclusive conservation strategies that align environmental goals with community needs, ensuring sustainable outcomes that benefit both people and nature.