The celebration of Earth Day is gaining in popularity at a rapid pace inArmenia. This year, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) celebrates the day by planting trees in the community of Teghenik in the Kotayk region. On Friday, April 20, the US Embassy inArmeniaand the United Nations joined ATP to plant a cluster of decorative and fruit trees in Teghenik. 

“Our goal in planting is to restore green spaces throughoutArmeniato provide valuable environmental services including clean air, soil retention, and shade during hot summers,” notes ATP Managing Director Tom Garabedian. “The Kotayk region had significant greenery some 150-200 years ago.  We hope to use these planting activities to offset the impacts of deforestation, and the creation of green spaces represents an important step in the improvement of the environment and quality of life in the region.” 

US Ambassador to Armenia John Hefern joined his colleagues at the Embassy and took part in the ATP’s tree planting dedicated to the Earth Day celebration. “This year I’m honored to join the Armenia Tree Project in Teghenik to mark Earth Day. The trees we plant here will improve the environment and help highlight the necessity of maintaining our natural surroundings.” states Ambassador Hefern. 

The trees are being planted as part of ATP’s innovative “community forests” program, which was initiated in 2011. “The aim of this new program is to create small community forests in areas that are deprived of any green zones and nearby forests,” explains Garabedian. 

ATP identifies affected areas and partners with the local authorities to establish these community forests. The program was designed with sustainability in mind.  While the trees are provided by ATP, the local community invests resources in planting and long-term maintenance of the trees on their land. 

This program started with planting at community sites in Karenis and Teghenik in the Kotayk region, where nearly 6,000 trees were planted in 2011. “The program has been successful so far, and we have received requests from other community leaders who want to establish small forests in their villages,” adds Garabedian. “This Earth Day tree planting event will contribute to ATP’s mission to greenArmenia, and we look forward to expanding these partnerships.” 

Schoolchildren and other members of the local community also participated in the tree planting along with the special guests from various organizations and international institutions. A total of 2000 trees that include decorative and fruit seedlings were planted for Earth Day. The new forest will be composed of oak, pine, ash, pear, and apple seedlings. 

Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator states: "The proclamation of 22 April as International Mother Earth Day by the United Nations, is an acknowledgement that the Earth and its ecosystems provide its inhabitants with life and sustenance.  It also recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity. " 

Earth Day events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the natural environment. Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, first called for an environmental teach in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated that year, and Earth Day is now observed each year by more than 500 million people in 175 countries. Earth Day is coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and April 22 has been designated by the United Nations as International Mother Earth Day. 

ATP’s mission is to assist the Armenian people in using trees to improve their standard of living and protect the environment, guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. ATP’s three major programs are tree planting, environmental education, and sustainable development initiatives. For more information about ATP, please visit the web site www.armeniatree.org.