Why Nine Million Trees Matter: Planting Legacy, Memory, and Hope

Why Nine Million Trees Matter: Planting Legacy, Memory, and Hope

In Armenia, trees are more than trees.
They are witnesses. Testaments. Living roots that carry the weight of memory and the promise of rebirth.

For 30 years, Armenia Tree Project has planted not just forests, but futures, restoring landscapes, strengthening communities, and honoring a history marked by loss and resilience. And this May, we will reach a milestone that speaks to the soul of our mission: the planting of our 9 millionth tree.

This moment isn’t just a number.
It’s a declaration.
That despite centuries of adversity, from genocide to displacement to ecological threats, Armenians choose to grow. To endure. To reimagine the future, one tree at a time.

The tree we’ll plant is a Sosi, a native plane tree revered in Armenian culture for its strength, shade, and symbolism. It’s the tree a family gathers beneath, the one that stands tall through storm and sun. To plant it now is to say to the world:
We are still here. And we are still growing.

We invite you to be there when history is planted.
From May 14–20, ATP will host a powerful week in Armenia to commemorate 30 years of lasting change. You’ll visit nurseries and schools, meet the villagers and students whose lives have been transformed, and take part in the ceremonial planting of the 9 millionth tree at Semonian Park. Together, we’ll honor the past and plant a future.

Because in Armenia, even the soil remembers. But it also reaches toward what’s next.

Don’t just read about it, come plant it with us.

About Armenia Tree Project

Armenia Tree Project (ATP) has been empowering Armenia’s communities and landscapes since 1994. Through reforestation, environmental education, and rural development, ATP has planted millions of trees and supported sustainable, local solutions to climate change and socio-economic needs. ATP is headquartered in Woburn, MA, with an office in Yerevan, Armenia. For more information, please visit ArmeniaTree.org, or email Info@ArmeniaTree.org.

< Older Post

Armenia Tree Project Celebrates 30 Years with Exclusive Commemorative Trip to Armenia

April 15, 2025

Armenia Tree Project Celebrates 30 Years with Exclusive Commemorative Trip to Armenia

From Seed to Soil: Rebuilding Armenia’s Green Future

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.