[1] Following the understanding that "nature knows no borders",[2] the Arava Institute's mission is to advance cross-border environmental cooperation in the face of political conflict.

Members of the faculty are often guest lecturers from universities, both in Israel and abroad, or professionals in fields such as public policy and water management.

[citation needed] All AIES students are required to completes a non-credit bearing Peace-Building and Environmental Leadership Seminar, which provides them with a facilitated forum for expressing their views on race, religion, identity, and the political situation.

In addition to its academic programs, the Arava Institute conducts cross-border studies in four research centers: In addition, the Arava Center for Sustainable Development (ACSD), under the supervision of Dr. Shmuel Brenner, aims to reduce poverty, enhance sustainability and empower communities by supporting locally driven, environmentally focused development programs worldwide.

[14][11] The specimen of the unknown Commiphora, "Sheba", has yet to be formally described, but she is believed to be the tsori or Judean balsam, two plants with healing properties referenced in the Bible.