A strong advocate of Armenia ecology and environment is celebrating a significant anniversary this year as the Armenia Tree Project (ATP) turns 15.

Operational since 1994, the program (www.armeniatree.org) has aimed to restore the green in the territories that had been logged and deprived of vegetation in consequence of a severe energy crisis in the early years of Armenian independence when people had to cut trees for fuel in harsh winter conditions.

Based in Watertown, Massachusetts USA, and Yerevan, ATP has faced an uphill climb in combating desertification in the biologically diverse but threatened Caucasus region.

With a staff of more than 80 in Armenia, ATP is going to celebrate its 15th anniversary by undertaking its most challenging and ambitious plans ever -- to plant more than million trees by end of this year.

ATP’s programs were expanded in 2004 to include poverty reduction, large scale reforestation, and environmental education in rural villages which were desperately poor and suffering from the effects of deforestation. A total of 500,000 trees were planed as part of the ATP program that year alone.

ATP’s founder Carolyn Mugar says it became clear at that time that restoration of only public territories would not have a sufficient impact on the growing problem of deforestation.

“At that time, only five years ago, I instructed our staff to initiate a program under which 15 million trees will have been planted by 2015, the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide – ten trees for each genocide victim,” said Mugar.

During the 15 years of its activities, ATP has planted and restored more than 3 million trees some 800 sites around the country and created hundreds of jobs for impoverished Armenians in tree-regeneration programs.

Yet, Chairman of Armenia’s Union of the Green Hakob Sanasaryan says the scale of tree-planting in Armenia is far from being sufficient. For comparison, he cites some statistical data that show 3,000 hectares were planted with trees in Armenia on an annual basis during the Soviet times. Only 100 hectares of trees are planted annually now, according to the environmentalist.

“Logging has proceeded at a higher rate since the end of the crisis years and export of such trees as oak and beech began,” says Sanasaryan.

ATP public relations officer Bella Avetisyan says: “We know that logging is continuing in different places, but we try at least to mitigate the problem by planting trees and educating the younger generation.”

The organization also produces documentaries that it believes can educate people on environmental issues. It has released 13 documentaries on different environmental subjects and problems. Two of them tell about tree-planting activities and environmental education carried out by the foundation. Also, one cartoon telling about how animals preserve their habitat was recently released.

The ATP released its latest documentary this year in celebration of its 15th anniversary.
The 15-minute film, “Every Tree…,” is about its cutting-edge tree planting and environmental education programs.

“I personally accompanied the filmmakers on a tour of ATP’s three nurseries, two education centers, and dozens of planting sites, and I think this new ATP documentary film captures the emotion and impact of our tree planting, poverty reduction, and educational programs,” says ATP Executive Director Jeff Masarjian.

“Although it is our 15th anniversary, this has been a difficult year because of the global economic recession. Nevertheless, we are making every effort to follow through on our commitment to purchase and plant the tree seedlings grown by partner families in Armenia who are working with ATP.”

Mariam Sukhudyan, an active environmental campaigner in Armenia who, in particular, has opposed the latest mining project potentially endangering the unique Teghut forest in the northwest of the country, thinks films like ATP’s are good instruments in fighting and achieve goals.

“My friends and I are ready to make those films available to the public through various festivals and other events,” she says.
At the Energy Globe Awards in Prague in April, ATP was recognized as national winner with its “Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree” environmental curriculum for school teachers – a manual of practical educational activities.