Falling Leaves, Rising Forests: Sustainable Planting Initiatives in 2023

As autumn descends, the dedicated team of forestry experts at Armenia Tree Project (ATP) is hard at work at forest sites. They are joined by skilled seasonal workers, who are hired from local villages around the various regions of Armenia. Their mission: to plant 302,000 trees across 175 hectares of land, marking the anticipated start of the fall planting season in 2023.

About Forests in Armenia

The distribution of forests in Armenia exhibits an imbalance, with primary forested areas situated in the north, northeast and south, while the central part of the country remains predominantly treeless. Today, the majority of forest cover is concentrated in the northern & northeastern regions of Lori and Tavush, as well as in the southeastern region of Syunik. Therefore, only a limited portion of the country’s central region is forested.

Armenia Tree Project collaborates closely with local communities and regional authorities to establish new forests, revitalize degraded lands, prevent erosion, protect topsoil, and significantly improve livelihoods by planting forests even in the most degraded and arid regions of Armenia. Since 1994, ATP has planted over 1,500 hectares of new forest, and will reach the milestone of 650,000 trees planted at forests sites this season. By the end of 2023, ATP will have planted over 8 million trees across Armenia.

2023 Fall Planting Initiatives

This fall, ATP’s goal is to continue planting trees at various forest sites in the Shirak, Kotayk, and Lori Regions. In addition, ATP is expanding its planting initiatives by establishing its first forest in the border region of Gegharkunik.

Gegharkunik is the largest region in Armenia covering an area of 5,348 km² (18% of the total area of Armenia). Approximately 1,278 km² of its territory is encompassed by Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucasus. The new forest will be established in the Gegharkunik village on 20 hectares of land.

In the long term, our reforestation and afforestation efforts are crucial for meeting Armenia’s climate commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce national emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Our commitment to a green future for Armenians and for the world is unwavering and ever-expanding.

As ATP prepares for another successful fall planting season, it looks to hire over 100 local villagers to assist with the seasonal work. The economic opportunity provided in these remote villages is crucial given the current situation in Armenia. These seasonal employees look forward to the work provided by ATP every year. Additionally, ATP is preparing to launch its Artsakh Refugee Aid program, which will provide more economic opportunities to the displaced families from Artsakh that the organization had aided through the Artsakh Greenhouse Program.

To donate to fall planting and help ATP hire more seasonal employees, please visit ArmeniaTree.org/en/donation.

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Armenia Tree Project Celebrates 30 Years with Exclusive Commemorative Trip to Armenia

April 15, 2025

Armenia Tree Project Celebrates 30 Years with Exclusive Commemorative Trip to Armenia

From Seed to Soil: Rebuilding Armenia’s Green Future

March 25, 2025

As winter recedes, a new season of hope takes root in Armenia. In ATP’s tree nurseries, a quiet urgency fills the air as thousands of seedlings are carefully nurtured, each one a promise of renewal. The forestry team watches closely as the snow melts, knowing that the perfect window for planting is just around the corner. This year, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) will plant an astounding one million trees across Armenia. With this initiative, ATP will surpass a major milestone—9 million trees planted since its inception. To put that into perspective, this is enough to cover an area larger than 1,000 football fields. These plantings are not just about trees; they are about resilience, sustainability, and restoring Armenia’s natural heritage. The spring planting season kicks off in the villages of Bovadzor and Urasar in Lori, then expands to Tsaghkaber, Mets Sariar, Lernakert, and Pemzashen in Shirak, before concluding in Leranist in Kotayk. These regions have been carefully selected for their need for reforestation and their potential to thrive as part of Armenia’s green future. At the heart of this movement are the people who make it possible. Last year, 500 seasonal workers joined ATP’s efforts, many of whom return each year. This spring, 200 tree planters will take on the responsibility of planting half a million trees. Among them are cousins Marine and Armine Gogoryan from Lori, who have dedicated years to tree planting. “Planting trees is like planting hope,” says Marine. “We’ve seen forests rise where there was once nothing. It makes us believe in the future.” Their passion, alongside the tireless efforts of ATP’s forestry teams, has transformed barren lands into thriving forests. Looking back at past plantings—the Hrant Dink Memorial Forest, the Sose and Allen Forest, and the Koghes Forest—it’s clear how far this initiative has come. Once desolate landscapes are now home to lush, growing canopies, proof that long-term commitment yields extraordinary results. Yet, the urgency of reforestation in Armenia has never been greater. Climate change, deforestation, and the displacement of communities have intensified the need for green spaces. Forests act as natural shields against soil erosion, provide oxygen, and help regulate the climate. Every tree planted is a step toward a healthier, more sustainable Armenia. ATP’s mission is gaining recognition beyond Armenia. Environmental organizations worldwide have praised its reforestation model, and global conservation leaders are taking note. With continued support, the impact of these efforts will extend far beyond national borders. You can be part of this transformation. Whether by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, every contribution helps secure Armenia’s green future. Help ATP plant the seeds of change together by visiting ArmeniaTree.org.