ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE
Email: info@armeniatree.org
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PRESS RELEASE
January 4, 2010

ATP Creates a Green Future for Communities in Armenia

— CTP Program Plants More than 56,000 Trees in 2009

YEREVAN–In 2009, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) planted more than 56,000 trees
at dozens of urban and rural sites around the country as part of its
Community Tree Planting (CTP) program. The huge public demand for trees and
the professional capacity of ATP program staff, along with the production of
fruit and decorative trees at the Karin and Khachpar nurseries, resulted in
the planting of 56,244 trees in 2009. This was in addition to the 1,000,000
reforestation seedlings planted at several sites in the Lori region.

"We are very proud to announce that this fall we have planted 27,822
decorative and fruit trees and in the spring we planted 28,422 trees,"
stated CTP Program Manager Anahit Gharibyan. "Through the joint efforts of
the CTP and nursery programs we managed to distribute these high quality
trees to more than 10 regions of Armenia including Armavir, Lori, Vayots
Dzor, Tavush, and Artsakh."

ATP’s programs create a number of valuable co-benefits for communities,
which include tree planting jobs that provide a reliable source of income
and fruit tree harvests that provide nutrition and food security. In 2009,
ATP’s trees produced a harvest of 200,665 kg (442,390 pounds) of fresh
fruit.

Fruit trees planted by ATP include apricot, wild apple, peach, and pear, and
nut trees include pistachio and walnut. The fruit was harvested at 118 sites
around the country, and was used by the local schools, hospitals, and other
community institutions.

ATP’s Community Tree Planting program hosts a number of ceremonial tree
planting events with partner organizations throughout the year. This fall,
Synopsis Armenia staff and their families joined with ATP to plant 500
evergreen trees in the Malatia Sebastia community, near the St. Trinity
Church which has been a model ATP site.

Another noteworthy example of ongoing cooperation was the tree planting
initiated by ATP and HSBC Bank at the Diaconia Settlement of Hope. Together
with the residents of the settlement, ATP and HSBC staff and families
planted 500 fruit and decorative trees in the backyards of the family homes.
ATP began working in this neighborhood for disadvantaged families in 2005,
when there were very few trees. Today, the Settlement of Hope is a green and
beautiful district, full of fruit and decorative trees planted by ATP.

"We are very pleased to help support the Diaconia settlement since this
program provides housing and dignity to Armenian families. ATP is creating
an environment that is making Diaconia beautiful with flowers, trees, and
fruit. Congratulations to all of you for implementing this project," noted
ATP supporters John and Sophie Bilezikian after a visit to the site. The
Bilezikian Family has sponsored ATP’s work at this site, and they are
planning to sponsor a playground as a gift for the children of Diaconia.

Similar tree plantings were organized by ATP at other institutions, schools,
and churches in Yerevan and Armenia’s regions this year. Hnaberd School,
American University of Armenia, Hay Aspet NGO, Tsiternakaberd Genocide
Memorial, and the Chess Academy are only a few of the numerous sites that
have been re-greened and beautified through ATP’s Community Tree Planting
program.

"We are proud of all of our programs and each planting story is full of life
and hope for the future. However, one of our proudest moments this year was
receiving a certificate of acknowledgement from Etchmiadzin Mayor Karen
Grigoryan," added Gharibyan. The certificate recognized ATP’s work in
Etchmiadzin since 1995, where the organization has planted more than 20,000
trees at 20 different establishments including churches and schools.

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, and environmental education. These programs reduce poverty,
promote self-sufficiency, and help protect Armenia’s precious natural
resources. For additional information and to support ATP’s mission, visit
the web site

PHOTO CAPTIONS

1 ATP Khachik Village

ATP fruit trees at more than 100 sites around the country include apricot,
wild apple, peach, and pear, and the harvest benefits local schools,
hospitals, and other community institutions; this girl is helping with the
harvest of wild apples in Khachik Village in September 2009

2 ATP Ayrudzy Sports Club

ATP’s trees produced a harvest of 200,665 kg (442,390 pounds) of fresh fruit
in 2009 which provides nutrition and food security; these children are
excited about the apricot harvest at the Ayrudzy Sports Club in July 2009

3 ATP Diaconia Settlement

HSBC Bank staff and families partnered with ATP to plant 500 fruit and
decorative trees at the Diaconia Settlement of Hope in November 2009; ATP
staff trains all volunteers from partner organizations and the local
community on proper tree planting techniques