Armenia Tree Project
57/5 Arshakunyats Street
Yerevan Armenia 375025
Tel. (37410) 44 74 01
Email: [email protected]
Press Release
May 9, 2005
US Ambassador and ATP Celebrate `Earth Day’ in Refugee Village of Karin
KARIN, Armenia–The US Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, and his wife,
Donna, marked Earth Day in a ceremonial tree planting and reception hosted
by Armenia Tree Project (ATP). Ambassador Evans and honored guests at the
April 27 event planted five evergreens on a specially prepared plot at ATP’s
nursery in Karin village.
In cooperation with the US Embassy and a number of international and local
organizations, this event was intended to mark not only the worldwide
environmental celebration, but also to raise broader public awareness of
ecological and socio-economic issues in Armenia.
The celebration was opened with remarks by Ambassador Evans, Minister of
Agriculture David Lokyan, Deputy Minister of Education Norair Ghoukasian,
ATP Executive Director Jeff Masarjian, and ATP Foundation President Susan
Yacubian Klein.
Among those in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Nature
Protection, HayAntar, the UN World Food Program, and the US Embassy,
including Anthony Godfrey, Deputy Chief of Mission, Katie McDonald
representing the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),
and Jeffrey Engels, Director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural
Development. Representatives from Eurasia Foundation, Heifer International,
UN Development Program, World Vision, Birds of Armenia, World Wildlife Fund,
Urban Institute, and American University of Armenia were also present.
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Evans stated that this is the first tree
he has planted on Armenian soil. He briefly told the story of Martin, the
Armenian who arrived in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1619 with mulberry trees
for cultivation. `Those trees are still growing in Williamsburg,’ emphasized
Ambassador Evans. The US diplomat also praised the successful results
achieved by ATP in having planted and rejuvenated over 580,000 trees in
Armenia since 1994.
In his remarks, Mr. Lokyan, the Minister of Agriculture, stressed the
importance of ecological resource management in Armenia. `This celebration
of Earth Day has a symbolic meaning and it stresses the importance of
environmental issues, by bringing public attention to present-day ecological
problems,’ stated Mr. Lokyan. `The environment is what we leave to future
generations,’ he declared.
This was the fourth year that the US Embassy celebrated Earth Day with ATP
at one of the refugee sites where ATP has been developing its programs over
the last 11 years. This year the event took place at ATP’s first established
nursery in the village of Karin. ATP started the nursery project in 1996
with the vision of producing trees for re-greening Armenia, while also
providing badly needed employment for refugees.
Seedlings from the Karin nursery are taken to various community sites where
ATP carries out its seasonal urban and regional tree-plantings. Last year
the nursery provided 50,000 trees for ATP’s community tree planting
programs.
A reception following the Earth Day celebration was held in the Michael and
Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education Center. The Ohanian Center, located
at the Karin nursery and opened in 2004, provides practical training to
students. On a weekly basis the ATP staff hosts students from the
Agricultural Academy, Yerevan State University, and local schoolchildren,
teaching them about environmental issues. The nursery plots serve as a field
laboratory where students learn techniques of tree care and grafting taught
by invited experts and ATP specialists.
Armenia Tree Project was founded in 1994 with the vision of securing the
country’s future by protecting its environment. Funded by contributions from
diasporan Armenians, ATP has planted and rejuvenated 580,000 trees at
approximately 500 sites ranging from Gyumri to Goris. For additional
information about ATP and its programs, visit the Web site
PHOTO CAPTION: (L to R) ATP Foundation President Susan Yacubian Klein, ATP
Executive Director Jeff Masarjian, US Ambassador John Evans and his wife
Donna, and USAID representative Katie McDonald at the Earth Day tree
planting hosted at the ATP nursery in Karin village