ATP News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 06, 2009

ATP Works with Yale’s Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry on New Training Manual for Armenia

Click here to access the Sustainable Forestry Manual in PDF format

Zachary Parisa (right) from Yale University gathered data on the forests in the Lori region of Armenia with students from Yerevan’s Agricultural Academy

YEREVAN--Armenia Tree Project (ATP) recently completed a two-year project to develop sustainable forestry training models for Armenia. Through a collaborative effort with Yale University’s Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry, ATP worked with Chadwick Oliver and Zachary Parisa to conduct an analysis of the forests around the village of Margahovit.

“The degradation of forested areas in Armenia necessitates a new and bold approach to forestry practices,” stated ATP Executive Director Jeff Masarjian. “With Yale’s expertise, ATP has been able to collaborate with forestry officials to bring cutting edge forestry training to Armenia. It is our hope that the project will literally reshape the nation’s landscape and ensure a sustainable future for its population.”

Working with students from the Agricultural Academy of Armenia, local residents of Margahovit, and World Wildlife Fund, ATP planted a 20 hectare model forest using indigenous tree species to be used for future sustainable forestry training.

ATP also presented a new Sustainable Forestry Manual to stakeholders in Armenia and developed a seminar training model to use as a guide. The manual is currently being published in Eastern Armenian, and an English-language version is available at the following link: http://www.armeniatree.org/thethreat/resources/sfa_manual_20090228.pdf

Finally, ATP assisted the local community of Margahovit in identifying non-timber forest products, bringing environmental education into the local schools, and through stakeholder meetings that outlined the benefits and challenges of community forestry. ATP is currently developing a plan to conduct sustainable forestry training seminars throughout Armenia.

“The project was designed to evaluate the condition of the forests in Northern Armenia, paying particular attention to the factors that are limiting the ability for regeneration,” explained Masarjian. “An assessment was made of plants, herbs, and other non-timber products that may be harvested for generating alternative income for residents living in proximity to the forests. Additional trainings on rotational grazing will also be held with livestock owners to prevent soil erosion and further degradation of forests.”

“The collaboration between ATP and Yale has been a great success. We worked together to create an instructional manual designed specifically for conditions in Armenia that will be used to train local stakeholders in global best practices of forest management. We’re grateful for the vision and generosity of Sandra and Jim Leitner, who introduced us in the hope of creating a sustainable future for Armenia,” concluded Dr. Oliver, director of the Yale Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry.

This project was funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, a joint program of l’Agence Francaise de Developpement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation, and the World Bank.

Since 1994, Armenia Tree Project has planted and restored more than 2,500,000 trees and created hundreds of jobs for impoverished Armenians in tree-regeneration programs. The organization’s three tiered initiatives are tree planting, community development to reduce poverty and promote self-sufficiency, and environmental education to protect Armenia’s precious natural resources. For additional information, visit the web site www.armeniatree.org.

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