Armenia Tree Project

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The Armenian Tree Project ( ATP ) is a non-profit organization based in Watertown, Massachusetts, USA, and Yerevan, Armenia, founded in 1994 by Carolyn Mugar to promote socio-economic Armenian development through reforestation. Since its establishment, the organization has planted more than 4.5 million trees in various communities throughout Armenia.

The organization has a permanent staff of 80 people, 75 of whom work in Armenia. The Yerevan branch manages three sophisticated tree nurseries, two environmental education centers, and partners with families to create small, tree-based business opportunities. Its main program initiatives include tree planting in urban and rural sites, environmental education and advocacy, community development and poverty reduction.

Video Armenia Tree Project

Environmental challenge

When Carolyn Mugar, from Boston, visited Armenia in 1992, the country was impoverished by an energy embargo imposed during the Nagorno-Karabakh War. Armenians previously rely on natural gas for 90 percent of their energy needs, but their supply has been cut off by the embargo. Deforestation was particularly severe in the early 1990s, as many Armenians simply planted their trees as a source of fuel during the winter. This condition raises concerns about whether the land that was once protected by forest cover will become a desert. A 2005 study estimated Armenian forest cover of 11.2 percent of the total land area, down to 8.2 percent in 2000. In 2012, ATP reported that the country's forest cover was only 7 percent.

In 1994, Carolyn Mugar established the Armenian Tree Project to tackle the environmental and economic disaster of the diminished Armenian forests. ATP is organized as a subsidiary of the Armenian Assembly of America, which continues to provide administrative assistance. Since its establishment, ATP has planted more than 4.5 million trees throughout Armenia. In 2014, the organization operates three tree nurseries, provides full-time jobs for 45 people, and fruit trees grown by its projects result in an estimated harvest of over 300,000 pounds per year.

Maps Armenia Tree Project

ATP program

The organization's mission emphasizes the use of trees to promote economic independence, raising Armenia's standard of living while protecting the environment. The city tree planting program and its people work with towns and local neighborhoods to replant in public spaces such as parks, school grounds and other public property. In rural areas, farmers plant seeds in their backyard for tree planting projects in northern Armenia.

In environmental education and advocacy programs, ATP teaches the value of living in a healthy environment. The organization requested approval from the Ministry of Education to present an environmental study curriculum for schools. Poverty reduction and community development efforts directly fund the hiring of citizens in tree planting, and teach families to plant and care for seedlings in backyard seed pots.

Building Bridges is an online program created by ATP for Armenian children. This allows them to explore their environmental heritage and play games where they plant their own virtual tree.

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Engergy Globe Award

In 2008, ATP's tree planting program, "Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree", was recognized as the national winner of the Globe Energy Prize for Sustainability. The nursery program was selected for the award of 853 environmental projects in 109 countries. Initiated as a pilot project in 2004, the program is designed to reduce poverty-driven deforestation with support for tree nurseries owned by poor families in the Getik Valley in northern Armenia. Started with 17 families who operated tree nurseries in 2004, grew to 400 families in 2008.

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Volunteer participation

ATP recruits volunteers with help from the Birthright Foundation of Armenia/Depi Hayk. A limited number of volunteer summer positions are available in PR and counseling, environmental education, and SEEDS programs. The organization also employs 75 to 100 seasonal workers annually for large scale forestry projects.

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References

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External links

• Official site
• Latest achievements and rewards
• ATP Building Bridge Program: Connecting Armenian Diaspora Students with Their Environmental Heritage
• Armen Tree Projects Facebook Page

Source of the article : Wikipedia