GROWING A GREENER ARMENIA: ATP'S 2024 PLANTING MILESTONE

GROWING A GREENER ARMENIA: ATP'S 2024 PLANTING MILESTONE

ATP’s fall planting season has now been finalized, bringing the total number of trees planted this year to 869,228 across its Forestry and Community Tree Planting programs. 210 hectares of land were dedicated to forest restoration in 4 regions—Kotayk, Shirak, Lori, and Gegharkunik. The trees planted in these areas, including pine, oak, ash, maple, apple, pear, birch, and linden, are part of efforts to restore ecosystems, prevent soil erosion, and support wildlife. The remaining trees were planted in local communities, where they will provide long-term benefits to families and the environment.

In addition to the planting efforts, ATP distributed 9,315 fruit trees—such as apples, pears, apricots, plums, cherries, and nuts—to 1,054 families in border villages across Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Ararat, and Gegharkunik.

 

Though the fall planting season is over, the work continues. Some of the seasonal workers, who were part of the planting process, are still on the hillsides working hard. They are helping with fire prevention, as well as tasks like mowing, cleaning, and soil mineralization to protect the newly planted forests. These measures are key to ensuring the long-term success of the planting efforts.


This year, ATP created 468 seasonal jobs, providing valuable work opportunities for local communities. These workers, many of whom are planting trees alongside their families, are not only involved in the planting process but also in the care of the trees throughout the summer.

 

ATP’s commitment to reforestation is already showing results. Monitoring has shown a survival rate of 80-85% for the spring plantings, thanks to favorable weather conditions and the careful attention given to the trees. ATP’s thoughtful planning and close collaboration with local communities have set these trees up for long-term success.


What makes ATP’s approach unique is its focus on working with communities to create sustainable solutions. Beyond planting trees, ATP is planning to expand its programs in the coming years, focusing on improving degraded pastures and working with local people to restore the land and improve their livelihoods. ATP’s goal is to help create a greener, more resilient Armenia, one where both the environment and the communities thrive.

With 869,228 trees planted this year, ATP is making a lasting difference in Armenia’s landscape, and there’s much more to come in the years ahead.


About Armenia Tree Project

Armenia Tree Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to reforesting and improving the environment in Armenia. Since its founding in 1994, ATP has planted millions of trees, educated thousands of people about environmental conservation, and fostered sustainable development in Armenia. Learn more at ArmeniaTree.org



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.
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We’re proud to have co-sponsored the 'We Stand with Forests' exhibition, highlighting the vital role of forests and the urgency of reforestation in Armenia. Partnering with AHA Collective, My Forest Armenia, and WWF, we supported 15 artists in showcasing the importance of preserving our country’s biodiversity.
August 26, 2024
Loss. It’s a word that has defined the lives of the 120,000 refugees who were forced to flee Artsakh in September 2023. These families have faced the unimaginable—loss of jobs, land, loved ones. Yet, amidst this overwhelming loss, a beacon of hope shines through in the form of growth, cultivation, and the ability to harvest food. Thanks to the Armenia Tree Project's (ATP) Resilient Roots initiative, these families are finding a path forward, reconnecting with their roots, and nurturing a future filled with possibilities. Resilient Roots: Nurturing Hope Amidst Hardship Resilient Roots is one of ATP’s many programs, designed to address not just environmental needs but also to uplift communities facing extraordinary challenges. Founded in 1994 by Boston-based philanthropist Carolyn Mugar, ATP has always been about more than just planting trees. From its early days of replanting trees cut down during the 1992 energy crisis to its expansive reforestation and environmental education efforts, ATP has consistently promoted self-sufficiency and improved the standard of living for the Armenian people. In recent years, ATP's mission expanded to include the Resilient Roots project , born from the Backyard Greenhouse Project in Artsakh, which began in 2021. This initiative, launched in partnership with Green Lane, an NGO focused on agricultural training, was a lifeline for families who had lost everything during the 2020 war. By providing greenhouses and training, Resilient Roots empowered families to grow their own food, offering both sustenance and a sense of purpose during the harsh blockade of the Lachin Corridor. Stories of Resilience and Renewal The stories of the families who have benefited from Resilient Roots are as inspiring as they are poignant. Take, for example, the Jabyan family. Forced to relocate during the 2020 war, they found hope in their greenhouse, which provided enough vegetables to sustain them throughout the winter of 2022-2023. Despite the blockade that left many in Artsakh struggling for basic necessities, the Jabyan family was able to rely on their greenhouse for survival—and even shared their produce with neighbors. Similarly, the Beglaryan family, from Khnabad village in Artsakh, used their greenhouse to grow tomatoes and cucumbers, helping them weather the nine-month blockade. "These greenhouses helped during the blockade for self-sufficiency and even economically helped some folks who sold the food they grew," says Masis Zargaryan, Artsakh Project Assistant at ATP. The greenhouses not only provided food but also a critical source of income during an incredibly difficult time. Now, these families, like so many others from Artsakh, face a new reality in Armenia. Unemployment, underemployment, and the high cost of living have created a new set of challenges. Resilient Roots is stepping up once again, this time with a focus on building collapsible greenhouses for families with available yard space—an effort designed to provide stability even if these families must move again. A Call to Action: Support Resilient Roots Resilient Roots is about planting hope, cultivating resilience, and nurturing a future where these families can thrive once more. As we continue to expand our efforts, we invite you to join us in this vital mission. Your support can help us build more greenhouses, provide more families with the tools they need to rebuild their lives, and expand our educational programs to ensure that every seed planted grows into a future filled with promise. Help Us Grow We are currently working with eight of the original forty-nine families, including the Jabyans and Beglaryans, to provide them with greenhouses in Armenia. Our goal is to expand this initiative, partnering once again with Green Lane to offer an even greater variety of seeds and educational materials. This time, the greenhouses will be more than a source of food—they will be a source of income and a lifeline for families determined to rebuild their lives. Your donation to Armenia Tree Project can make a real difference. Together, we can restore optimism and stability for Artsakh refugees, one greenhouse at a time. This article was written by Sarine Meguerditchian, originally from the Boston area, who is a rising Junior at Northwestern University studying Economics and Political Science, and Shushanik Hayriyan from Artsakh, who currently attends the College of Idaho where she studies International Political Economy and Business. Sarine and Shushanik are currently interning for the Armenan Assembly of America, ATP’s parent organization.
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