Known for his work with birds and other feathery friends Prof. Yossi Leshem of Tel Aviv University is showing how nature can provide the best medicine — not only for pest problems, but also for diplomacy. For decades, Prof. Leshem has been pioneering environmentally-friendly techniques in pest control, using owls and birds to keep populations of predatory mice at bay in farmer’s fields in Israel.

Over the years, his projects have extended to Europe, North America and more locally in the Middle East. This year, farmers from Jordan and the Palestinian Authority were joined in the project by 50 Israeli-Arab farmers — showing that natural pesticide control is not just good for the environment, it’s good for peace as well. (Warning: ridiculously cute owlet picture below)