Author: Kanayan Tamar

ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
400 W Cummings Park, Suite 3900
Woburn, MA 01801
Tel: (617) 926-TREE 
Web: www.ArmeniaTree.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2018
ATP Continues to Make a Difference on the Landscape of Armenia, One Tree at a 
Time
By Ani Melkonian
STEPANAVAN, Armenia--The deadly fires in California force us to think about our 
forests and what we're doing to keep Armenia's precious natural resources safe. 
Though the cause of the fires is still under investigation, initial evidence 
points to manmade causes.
How safe are Armenia's forests? Let's just say that as long as there are 
individuals anywhere in the world who don't believe that their action or 
inaction can make a difference, nothing is ever safe. 
While firefighting efforts may prove beneficial, too often wildfires in rural 
areas are ignored and can be left burning for days in Armenia due to lack of 
resources and infrastructure. Even the smallest fires cause huge damage as 
Armenia has a forest cover of just 11 percent, according to official statistics.
That is why Armenia Tree Project (ATP) gives great importance to preventative 
measures. On the education front, ATP is raising awareness and teaching young 
Armenians across the country about forest fires prevention, especially in 
targeted areas like Lori, Kotayk, Shirak, Tavush, and Gegharkunik.
Tchalo, the firefighting gampr shepherd dog who is the face of ATP's campaign, 
is actively involved in the process through an animated PSA and educational 
posters (visit www.tinyurl.com/tchalo to view the PSA). 
Miles from California on the outskirts of Stepanavan, 19-year-old Angela 
Mkrtchyan is planting trees in ATP's afforestation plot with her mother and 
older brother. For the next 11 days, the Mkrtchyan family's livelihood will 
depend on the little seedlings of ash, apple, beech, maple, oak, and pear 
trees. ATP hires more than 150 workers each year to help with planting and 
maintenance. 
It's a short-term job but for the Mkrtchyan family, who have no permanent work, 
it is vital. It is Angela's second season with ATP but her family has been part 
of the planting brigade for the past four years. 
"Many things we do in our daily lives have a negative impact on the environment 
and on the lives of future generations. Planting trees is one of the few things 
the next generations will thank us for, so I'm happy to be doing it," says 
Angela.
Angela is planting close to 200 saplings each day. By the end of the 11-day 
journey she will earn about $180, which is slightly over the average monthly 
salary in rural Armenia. 
"Our cause becomes theirs. During this time they form a special relationship 
with the forest, and so they encourage others to preserve and protect it as 
well," says ATP Forester Vahe Martirosyan.
Similarly, over 40 men and women, young and old are working in Tashir on ATP's 
forestry plots and on a joint forestry project with GIZ in Aparan, Arayi, and 
Vardenut. 
In total, ATP has planted another 187,845 trees this fall, bringing the total 
for 2018 to 257,910 trees. The overall total of trees planted in Armenia and 
Artsakh since 1994 is 5,722,562.
"We're proud of our results, of our positive impact on the land and the 
livelihoods we are helping to improve," explains Executive Director Jeanmarie 
Papelian. "Many of the trees we planted this year are fruit trees, or 6,640 to 
be exact. And the total harvest from ATP's trees was more than 1,600,000 pounds 
of fruit this year, which was distributed in the communities all for the 
benefit of local people."
Two hundred families in Lori's Ghursali Village received coppiced wood for the 
winter from ATP. The wood comes from a project done in the village on 10 
hectares with HayAntar. Locals were hired and trained to cut tree stems which 
grow close together or from one stump to near ground level so the trees may 
grow to their full potential and thrive. 
"To get 5.7 million trees planted, ATP needed a lot of helping hands from 
people like Angela and her family. The organization's soon-to-be 25 year 
history shows us that not only are trees indispensable to our wellbeing but 
that there are ways you can afford a living through them as well," adds 
Papelian.
"Today, more than ever, there is a renewed opportunity to create an Armenia 
where the people and the environment can coexist in harmony. ATP's work to help 
create an Armenia that is clean and green, with a healthy respect for people 
and the planet, continues stronger than ever as Armenia maps out its new 
future," concludes Papelian.