ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
April 30, 2009
ATP Environmental Education Program Receives Energy Globe Award in Prague
WATERTOWN, MA–Armenia Tree Project (ATP) was selected as a National Winner
of the Energy Globe Award for Sustainability during a public ceremony on
April 13, 2009 in Prague. The winning program, "Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree:
Advancing the Next Generation of Armenia’s Environmental Stewards," is based
on ATP’s environmental education curriculum. An international jury chose 76
national winners for environmental and energy efficiency projects from 111
countries.
ATP’s backyard nursery micro-enterprise program received an Energy Globe
Award last year at the European Parliament in Brussels. The backyard nursery
program is mitigating poverty-driven deforestation by creating
micro-enterprise tree nurseries in the Getik River Valley of northern
Armenia, which are owned by hundreds of families who have doubled their
annual income by participating in this ATP program.
"The ‘Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree’ teacher’s manual is based on a
combination of experiential learning, practical experience, theory, and
research. Delivery methods include open-air classes, internet-based
learning, and interactive lessons that raise environmental awareness and
foster respect for and understanding of sustainable resource use," stated
ATP Executive Director Jeff Masarjian.
"The curriculum introduces teachers to the conceptual framework of
environmental education through modules that encourage students to link art
and science, build analytical skills through observation, and understand the
links between environmental conservation and Armenia’s cultural heritage,"
added Masarjian.
The Energy Globe Awards were held at the opening of the meeting of the
European Environment Ministers, which was convened by the Czech Republic as
head of the European Union Presidency. "We are happy about this recognition
through the European Policy," said founder Wolfgang Neumann of Austria in a
press release from the Energy Globe Foundation. "We find it really important
that the world sees how many really good projects and ideas there already
are."
The gala event was attended by top European environmental leaders, including
EU Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas, European Council
President Mirek Topolanek, and Environment Council of Ministers President
Martin Bursik. "Projects from 111 countries were submitted. The spectrum is
big: from innovative wind power for ocean-going ships to solar energy system
for hospitals in the troubled area of Myanmar to the first
computer-recycling project of South America," noted the Energy Globe press
release.
"ATP is honored to again be selected as the National Winner from Armenia of
the prestigious Energy Globe Awards. This award acknowledges not only the
tremendous efforts taken by ATP in the field of environmental education, but
it is really a testament to the unwavering support of our donors, whose
investment in our programs allows us to address the critical environmental
challenges facing Armenia. We dedicate this award to all of our supporters,"
stated Masarjian after the award was accepted by the ATP leadership.
ATP’s award-winning "Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree" curriculum is available in
Armenian and English at the following link:
Since 1994, Armenia Tree Project has planted and restored more than
3,000,000 trees 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, visit the web site
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
ATP_Energy_Globe_Award.jpg
Armenia Tree Project was selected as a National Winner of the Energy Globe
Award for Sustainability for its environmental education program
ATP_Environmental_Education.jpg
Armenia Tree Project’s award-winning environmental education program is
designed for students between the ages of 6-18 and is being integrated into
the secondary school system in Armenia