Negev additives. Vegetation in the Negev is sparse, but certain trees and plants thrive there, among them "Acacia", "Pistacia", "Retama", "Urginea maritima" and "Thymelaea". A small population of Arabian leopards, an endangered animal in the Arabian peninsula, survives in the southern Negev. The Negev Tortoise ("Testudo werneri") is a critically endangered species that currently lives only in the sands of the western and central Negev Desert. The Negev shrew ("Crocidura ramona") is a species of mammal of the family Soricidae found only in Israel. "Hyphaene thebaica" or doum palm can be found in the Southern Negev. Evrona is the most northerly
Blueprint Negev the Negev. After the Disengagement together with the Or Negev settlement movement, the JNF was instrumental in helping Gaza evacuees find new homes in the Negev as cohesive units. The plan aims to increase the population of Beersheba, the Negev's largest city. One of the main projects undertaken there is the Be’er Sheva River Walk, creating a park inspired by San Antonio’s River Walk. The plan includes green spaces, an amphitheater for events, a lake for boating and promenades for strolling. The JNF supported cleanup of the riverbed. The plan envisions the creation of 25 new suburban communities. Seven communities