ATP INAUGURATES ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL CENTER IN KARIN

ArmenPress
Oct 12 2004

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 12, ARMENPRESS: Armenia Tree Project (ATP) inaugurated
today its Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education Center
in Karin, Armenia. The establishment of this ATP educational center
is the result of a generous donation from Mrs. Virginia Ohanian
of Belmont, Massachusetts, in memory of her late husband, the late
Michael Ohanian. Mrs. Ohanian has been a devoted supporter of ATP
for many years.

ATP established its tree nursery in Karin in 1996. As part of ATP’s
expansion of its programs, the organization has added environmental
and forestry education to its mission. Immediately after Mrs. Ohanian
learned about this program, this educational center was proposed and
established on the nursery site.

Already, nursery director Samvel Ghandilyan has taught six sessions
of courses with over 130 students this year at the Ohanian Education
Center. Most of the students have come from the Agricultural Academy,
as well as the local schools in Karin.

Mrs. Ohanian was present at the inauguration today, along with a
number of other ATP’s diasporan supporters traveling with the Armenian
Assembly of America Trustees’ Delegation to Armenia.

Armenia Tree Project was founded in 1994 during Armenia’s darkest
and coldest years with the vision of securing Armenia’s future
by protecting Armenia’s environment. Funded by contributions from
diasporan Armenians, ATP has planted and rejuvenated over 530,000
trees at more than 450 sites ranging from Gyumri to Goris.