ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE
Email: [email protected]
Web:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2007
ATP Receives $100,000 Grant from Conservation International to Partner with
Yale University’s Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry
A new partnership between Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Yale University’s
Global Institute for Sustainable Forestry (), and
Conservation International () will bring international
`best practices’ of sustainable forestry to Armenia. The joint venture,
`Evaluation and Implementation of Sustainable Forestry Models in Northern
Armenia,’ involves conducting a state of the art analysis of the forest
ecosystems in the Lori region with the aim of producing the first
sustainable forestry training manual tailored to the specific needs of
Armenia.
The severe degradation of forested areas in Armenia necessitates a new and
bold approach to forestry practices. With Yale’s expertise in sustainable
forestry, ATP along with Armenia’s leading academic and government forestry
officials will collaborate in a partnership to bring cutting edge forestry
training to Armenia. It is our hope that the project will literally reshape
the nation’s landscape and ensure a sustainable future for its population.
The goals of the project are to evaluate the condition of the forests in
northern Armenia, paying particular attention to the factors that are
limiting the ability for regeneration. An assessment will be made of plants,
herbs, and other non-timber products that may be sustainably harvested for
generating alternative income for residents living in close proximity to the
forests. Trainings on rotational grazing will be held with livestock owners
to prevent soil erosion and further degradation of forests.
A model forest will be planted to serve as a training site, and paired with
a sustainable forestry training manual specific to the unique environment of
Armenia. This manual and demonstration plot will serve as the focal point
for future trainings with foresters and residents from around the country.
This project is being funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
(CEPF), a joint initiative of Conservation International, International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, the Global Environment Facility, the
Ministry of Finance of Japan, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation. A fundamental goal of CEPF () is to ensure civil
society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.
Armenia Tree Project (ATP), a grassroots-supported non-profit organization
based in Watertown and Yerevan, conducts vitally important environmental
projects in Armenia’s impoverished and deforested zones and seeks support in
advancing its reforestation mission.
Since 1994, ATP has made enormous strides in combating desertification in
the biologically diverse but threatened Caucasus region. Nearly 1.5 million
trees have been planted and restored, and hundreds of jobs have been created
for Armenians in seasonal tree-regeneration programs. For more information
or to support ATP, visit
PHOTO CAPTION: A partnership with Yale University and Conservation
International will help ATP conduct an analysis of the forests in the Lori
region and produce a sustainable forestry manual for Armenia