FORESTRY
In 2004, ATP recognized the trend of deforestation and decided to scale up its planting in order to reverse the situation and mitigate the long-term consequences. The decline of Armenia’s forest cover is due to unsustainable logging, use of wood as fuel for cooking and heating, deforestation by the mining industry, and climate change.
Desertification has been identified as a threat facing Armenia. Erosion, habitat loss, and diminished supplies of clean water are also consequences of low level of forest cover. It is imperative that we focus our long-term energies on the renewal of Armenia’s forests. The Forestry Program employs over 150 seasonal workers for planting.
Armenia's forests offer significant environmental, security, and socio-economic benefits. Beyond their recreational and aesthetic value, forests play a crucial role in maintaining the water balance in the ecosystem, improving soil fertility, providing protection against winds and snow, boasting rich biodiversity, and holding scientific significance. There are a total of 323 tree species, with 28 considered endemic, and 31 identified as relict species. The volume of logging in Armenia should not increase, given the vital role and importance of forests for our country both today and in the future.
The Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery
To launch the forestry program, in conjunction with support from the Mirak Family, ATP established a reforestation nursery in Margahovit Village in 2005, dedicated to producing seedlings for forest sites in Northern Armenia. This nursery has enabled ATP to accelerate its experimentation and cultivation, and attain a higher-than-global-average tree survival rate.
- 200,000 seedlings harvested annually
- 500,000 trees under various stages of cultivation
- Employs 16 full-time workers, including a forester, a monitor, and a GIS specialist.
Site Selection and Tree Survival
Our Forestry Department carefully selects sites for forest planting based upon several criteria:
- Quality of the soil
- Geographic position and elevation
- Land not in use for other purposes
- Level of commitment from the local community to protect the trees
Through careful experimentation and a focus on indigenous propagation, ATP has achieved a survival rate of 60%+ — well above the global average. The high survival rate is ensured by taking several critical steps:
- Concrete fencing in new areas to protect from livestock grazing
- Landscape maintenance in first 2-3 years to protect young seedlings from being overcrowded by grass
- Monitoring of the sites throughout the year (in perpetuity)
Wildfire Precautions and Creating Awareness
ATP takes preventative measures against fire hazards and uses prescribed burning in some of its forestry sites to ensure fires don’t start or spread. Before and after plantings, weeding and cutting grass are also part of the methods used to prevent fires. Forestry also takes an educational approach and raises awareness by holding discussions with community members – including hired seasonal workers – against the practice of burning fields, which farmers erroneously believe enriches soil. Due to the lack of control of this practice, wildfires can spread to nearby areas and ultimately, forests, where it can create a significant amount of damage.
Carbon Sequestration
Hrant Dink Forest covers an area of 11 hectares planted in 2007. One hectare of mature forest grows 1.5 cubic meters per year. For the growth of 1.5 cubic meters per year, the forest absorbs 1.8 tons of CO2 and converts it to .5 tons of carbon biomass. Therefore, over the 11 hectares, the Hrant Dink Forest absorbs 19.8 tons of CO2 per year.
Cooperation with HayAntar
Finding unused and suitable land for plantings is one of the core issues in carrying out forestry projects. After signing an Memorandum of Understanding with HayAntar (Armenia’s government forestry agency) in 2017, HayAntar has been providing ATP land for forestation projects. ATP and HayAntar will also carry out coppicing projects together in Lori region. After coppicing activities, the excess wood will be provided to local families for fuel and the excess branches turned into mulch, which will be used to nourish and maintain seedlings in ATP’s forests and the Mirak Nursery.
Bilezikian Greenhouse in Margahovit
In 2019 ATP will dedicate a new experimental greenhouse in Margahovit, sponsored by the Bilezikian family in memory of Charles Bilezikian.
This newly constructed greenhouse will house containers essential for new tree growth. The containers will enable us to grow healthier trees, increasing tree survival rate. The greenhouse has the capacity to produce around 30,000 seedlings annually on average. The facility also includes an outdoor classroom for visitors.
The Bilezikian building will house a forest laboratory where ATP can further experiment with and test seed quality. The second floor will serve as a lodging where tourists can spend the night.