What is included in my donation of $20 to plant a tree?
The $20 amount to plant a tree is used to support not only our tree growing and planting programs, but also environmental education, community development, poverty reduction, and advocacy for environmental preservation. All of ATP’s programs are interrelated and interdependent, with the overall goal of not only reforesting Armenia, but also addressing the root causes of deforestation.

Where do you plant the trees in Armenia? Can I visit the site where you plant my memorial trees?
Since our founding in 1994, ATP has planted trees at more than 725 sites throughout Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, from public sites like parks and orphanages to rural villages and deforested hillsides. For a donation of $5,000 or more, we can honor your gift by acknowledging you as a sponsor of a successful planting site established by ATP. Other gifts are used to support our seasonal plantings, and our Watertown office can put you in touch with our staff in Armenia so you can make arrangements to visit our nurseries and sites that were planted the year you made your gift. Many diasporans enjoy such visits to ATP sites, especially when the trees are in full bloom.

What types of trees are you planting? Where do you get the trees?
ATP grows and plants more than 50 varieties of trees, all of which are indigenous or commonly found in Armenia, including pine, maple, linden, and beech. All of our trees are grown in Armenia from seeds collected from the best available trees in the local forests. We have two nurseries near Yerevan, which provide trees for our urban and village planting programs, and the Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery in Margahovit village near Vanadzor. We also work with more than 300 rural family farmers who grow seedlings in their backyards exclusively for ATP, which we purchase for reforestation.

How many fruit and nut trees are you planting each year? Can I specify that fruit or nut trees be planted with my donation?
Our crop of fruit and nut trees varies with each planting season, and they include apricot, wild apple, peach, pear, pistachio, and walnut. Usually we plant 15,000 to 20,000 fruit and nut trees throughout Armenia each year, and your seasonal donation is used to plant these trees. Our goal is to find a way to grow even more fruit trees in the coming years.

How many people are employed by ATP in Watertown and in Armenia?
In Watertown we have 5 full time employees who focus on outreach, fundraising, and program oversight, including our Executive Director who travels to Armenia 2-3 times per year to inspect the sites and supervise program staff. In Armenia we have more than 70 full time staff members, including administrative and program managers, and dozens of workers in our tree nurseries. In addition, ATP works with hundreds of rural families who grow seedlings in their backyards, as well as hundreds of other workers who are hired during the spring and fall planting seasons.

What is your annual budget and what percentage of funds raised goes to actual program expenses?
To answer this question, it is important to note that the economies of the US and Armenia are vastly different. In general, costs in Armenia are approximately only 30 percent of what they would be to implement similar programs in the US. We base this assessment on general pay scales and cost of goods in Armenia compared to what the costs and salary for the same job would be if performed in the US by an employee with similar education and experience. Our annual budget for 2007 was approximately $1.5 million, of which approximately $1 million was allocated to program expenses in Armenia.

In addition, a significant portion of our Watertown expenses are directed toward program oversight and supervision, in order to ensure that all funds are put to their intended use and for the most benefit. If we were to use weighted figures, comparing “apples to apples,” our fundraising/administrative costs amount to approximately 12-14 percent of our total budget. In addition, our fundraising and administration expenses in Watertown are covered by two anonymous donors, so 100 percent of all donations received are used for program-related expenses.

How do you raise the funds for your programs? Do most of your funds come from your founder or the Armenian Assembly of America?
While our founder Carolyn Mugar established ATP as a project of the Armenian Assembly of America in 1994, we operate as a financially independent program and we receive no funds from the Armenian Assembly, however many of our donors are members of the Armenian Assembly. ATP’s Watertown office is responsible for raising 100 percent of ATP’s funds, which is done through major gifts, direct mail, special events, grants, and by phone and our web site. Our founder continues to support ATP, but the vast majority of funds are donated by more than 5,000 individual donors each year, and a small but growing number of foundation and corporate donors.

How will my contribution make a difference if more trees are being cut for fuel or export than you are planting?
ATP is working on many fronts to reduce and eventually eliminate the unsustainable use of trees in Armenia. The export of wood and wood products is illegal and we are working to strengthen enforcement of the laws. In order to better understand the problem, ATP commissioned a study in 2007 by the Economy and Values Research Center on “The Economics of Armenia’s Forest Industry” which is available on our web site under “The Threat/Resources and Data.” Our goal is to work with the NGO community and the government to implement the recommendations proposed by this study. In the meantime, in order to begin the restoration of the land we are planting as many trees as possible and educating the public and the youth about the value of trees and forests. We employ monitors to work with local communities to protect all of the trees planted by ATP.

What is your relationship with the AESA Fast Growing Tree Project? Do you face similar challenges?
We are in contact with the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America and many other professional organizations based in Armenia and around the world. We are not affiliated with the AESA Fast Growing Tree Project, but we are familiar with the problems they have faced and we have expressed our concern along with many people in the diaspora. While ATP has not faced a similar situation with our tree nurseries or planting sites, we support efforts to ensure that the AESA may continue its work. There are many challenges to doing any kind of work in Armenia, for ATP and every organization, and we make every effort to exercise our best judgment to represent the long-term needs of our many stakeholders and constituents.

Can I go to Armenia and volunteer to plant trees with your program?
We partner closely with Birthright Armenia for our summer volunteer program, and details are available on our web site under “Who We Are/Volunteer Opportunities.” We accept applications and depending on our programmatic needs, we may approve 1-5 volunteers each year. Most participants are required to participate in the Birthright program in order to ensure the best volunteer experience, but we have made exceptions depending on your area of expertise. We generally don’t offer the opportunity to actually plant trees because that is done by staff, seasonal workers, or people trained by ATP in local communities, but many diasporans arrange group visits to the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education Center at our Karin Nursery where they can have a tour and a more hands-on experience.