ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
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PRESS RELEASE
December 8, 2009
ATP Breaks Record by Planting One Million Trees in Lori Region
YEREVAN–Armenia Tree Project (ATP) has been collaborating with World Wide
Fund for Nature Armenian Branch (WWF Armenia) on an unprecedented
large-scale reforestation program in the communities of Jrashen and
Tsaghkaber in the northern region of Lori.
"Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change through Forest Protection, Management
and Restoration in Southern Caucasus" is a project implemented by the
consortium of WWF Germany, WWF Caucasus, and WWF Armenia in cooperation with
the Ministry of Nature Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture ("Hayantar"
Armenian Forest SNCO) of the Republic of Armenia, Armenia Tree Project
Foundation, Jrashen and Tsakhkaber communities financed by the Federal
Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)
of the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW in the framework of the
International Climate Protection Initiative.
The project was initiated in late 2008, and since then ATP has planted
1,000,000 indigenous tree seedlings for the program, which is the largest
number of trees planted by the organization in a single year. The planting
site covered a total of 400 ha (1,000 acres) of deforested land in Lori,
near the earthquake region of Spitak.
"Climate change is happening globally and Armenia is not an exception.
Weather extremes that are so common in Armenia have serous implications for
forests. We are proud to collaborate with the German KfW Bank and WWF to
make a difference and create a better future for the environment and
people," stated ATP Yerevan Director Mher Sadoyan. "We hope we can fight the
adverse impacts of the climate change in those territories of Armenia which
are most affected, and reforestation is one way to achieve this goal."
This environmental program has created hundreds of jobs for villagers who
are often forced to migrate to earn a living abroad in countries such as
Russia. As part of the goal to address the socio-economic status of the
communities in the project area, ATP has provided seasonal tree planting
jobs for more than 300 people from Tsaghkaber, Jrashen, Margahovit, and
neighboring villages.
The tree seedlings for the project were grown in ATP’s Mirak Family
Reforestation Nursery in Margahovit, as well as by families participating in
the Backyard Nursery Micro-Enterprise Program in the Getik River Valley.
This new forest was established with oak, pine, ash, maple, and apple
seedlings which are indigenous to the region.
"Armenia Tree Project is honored to cooperate with the German KfW Bank and
World Wide Fund for Nature. Together we are fighting climate change and
creating a green future for future generations of Armenians," emphasized
Sadoyan.
Since 1994, Armenia Tree Project has planted and restored more than
3,500,000 trees at over 800 sites around the country and created hundreds of
jobs for impoverished Armenians in tree-regeneration programs. The
organization’s three tiered initiatives are tree planting, community
development to reduce poverty and promote self-sufficiency, and
environmental education to protect Armenia’s precious natural resources. For
additional information and to support ATP’s mission, visit the web site
PHOTO CAPTIONS
ATP New Forest.jpg
Armenia Tree Project has been collaborating with World Wide Fund for Nature
Armenian Branch on a large-scale reforestation program in the communities of
Jrashen and Tsaghkaber in Lori, where ATP has planted 1,000,000 indigenous
seedlings on 400 ha (1,000 acres) of deforested land
ATP New Pine Tree.jpg
Armenia Tree Project provided seasonal jobs for more than 300 people from
Tsaghkaber, Jrashen, and Margahovit villages in 2009 to plant trees grown at
the Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery and in the Backyard Nursery
Micro-Enterprise Program