ATP 2015-2016 Annual Report
Transcription
ATP 2015-2016 Annual Report
# GetRooted 2015/2016 ANNUAL REPORT “As diasporan teachers, we plant the seeds of the spiritual tree in our students, which is bringing them up as Armenians. But here they planted the physical trees. And we believe those two together make up the tree of Independence. We wish to see it grow so much bigger that both the Diaspora and Armenia rest in its shadow.” NORAYR DADURYAN, PRINCIPAL OF THE AGBU VATCHE AND TAMAR MANOUKIAN HIGH SCHOOL OUR VISION Students from Beirut’s American Community School and North Carolina’s Warren Wilson College plant trees near our Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery in Margahovit Village. “Get Rooted” with ATP in 2016 I am honored to work with the talented ATP team to achieve our goal of a secure, independent and sustainable Armenia through environmental education, reforestation and advocacy. With your support, ATP has been planting trees since 1994. We started during a very dark time. The photos in this newsletter show what a difference 21 years has made! Of course we have lots of work yet to accomplish, but we’re proud to say we’ve made a greener Armenia. So what’s next? As ATP enters its 22nd year of positive change, we have big plans: • Break ground at a new nursery and environmental center in Vayots Dzor • Expand our environmental education programs in the US and Armenia • Build up ATP’s backyard nursery program • Continue our reforestation and community tree planting We supported the Genocide centennial commemorations with trees, honoring our ancestral roots by creating a green future in today’s Republic. Support for our Living Century Initiative allowed us to plant 10 new community forests in Armenia in memory of the lost regions of historic Armenia. We’ve planted in more than 33 percent of Armenia’s villages and towns; with your help we can reach 100 percent! Many supporters gave in memory of their ancestors, including the family of historian Lerna Ekmekcioglu, who wrote: “We should be grateful to ATP’s Living Century Initiative for enabling different generations of Armenians to connect with each other as well as to Armenians past and future by planting forests named after the Western Armenian homelands.” # GetRooted We invite you to Get Rooted with us. With your involvement, we can progress towards our goal of a sustainable and green Armenia. You can help in many ways: • Visit us in Armenia (tour schedule is on page 21) • Plant a tree • Invite us to your school, community group or church for an educational session about the environment and our role in preserving it • Support our work financially by hosting a fundraiser or making a gift 3 Ar me nia Tre e Pro j e ct • Annual Re po r t 201 5/201 6 F R O M J E A N M A R I E PA P E L I A N , E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R We planted nearly 230,000 trees all over Armenia and Artsakh in 2015, including 10 new community forests as part of the Living Century centennial initiative. 2016 Program Goals • Break ground on new a new nursery in Vayots Dzor region • Plant 200,000 new forestry seedlings over an area of 160 acres • Plant 55,000+ trees at 200 community sites throughout Armenia and Artsakh • Establish 15 new backyard nursery micro-enterprises • Plant six to eight new community forests in northern Armenia • Establish new community fruit orchards PLANTING TREES IN EVERY REGION Plantings Reach More than One-third of Every City, Town and Village As leaders from 195 nations negotiated a global climate agreement in Paris in 2015, we put the final touches on another year planting trees that are removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and providing dozens of other benefits. We planted another 229,322 trees, bringing the total to 4,952,642 at 1,056 sites since 1994. Our Forestry department planted several large forests in northern Armenia. “Our forestry team planted more than 165,000 seedlings in 2015 with the support of dozens of local workers. The planters came in groups of families, friends and couples, creating jobs and giving people a sense of ownership towards their land,” explained Forestry manager Navasard Dadyan. Our flagship Community Tree Planting Program greened sites in every region including Artsakh. In partnership with residents of the local community, we planted around churches, monuments, parks, schools, and hospitals. “We have planted in 350 cities, towns and villages all over Armenia,” explained Deputy Director Arthur Harutyunyan. “This is more than one third of every city and town in the entire country, and our goal is to eventually reach every single one!” “Planting is more than a source of income and jobs. It’s for our own good. Our kids can play here once they’re older,” said Arevik Mkhitaryan, a 30-year-old farmer from Mikhaylovka. “I came to see if my trees from last year had grown…and they have! I planted 220 more trees today.” We operate three nurseries including the Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery where hundreds of thousands of young seedlings are growing. Tree types include ash, beech, birch, maple, oak and pine. Fruit and nut varieties include almond, apple, apricot, cherry, peach, pear and plum. “We hope to reduce poverty through trees,” added Harutyunyan. “We distributed thousands of fruit trees, including those in Artsakh repopulated by Syrian Armenians. The harvest from our trees was the best ever, with more than one million pounds of fruit collected in 2015!” FORESTS PLANTED FOR THE NEW LIVING CENTURY As Armenians worldwide commemorated the centennial of the Genocide, we launched the Living Century Initiative to honor our past and create a green future. We established 10 new forests that are aligned with the major Western Armenian communities devastated by the Genocide. “The Living Century Initiative is a celebration of life and perseverance, and we are grateful that more than 1,200 families participated with their support,” explained Executive Director Jeanmarie Papelian. 5 Ar me ni a Tre e P ro j e ct • Annual Re po r t 201 5/201 6 TREE PLANTING 2016 Program Goals • Expand connections between students in Armenia and Diaspora through Building Bridges program • Host 4,000 student, teacher and parent visitors at environmental education centers sponsored by Michael and Virginia Ohanian • Train 100 teachers and other education professionals • Conduct education programs at 10 summer camps • Publish a field guide to trees in Armenia YOUTH AWARENESS Our Youth Programs Have Local, National and International Impact Education is one of our major priorities, with trainings and workshops conducted all over Armenia. More than 3,500 students visited our two education centers in 2015, which are sponsored by the Ohanian Family of Boston. The centers—one located on the grounds of the Karin Nursery and another in Margahovit— provide interactive lessons focused on the environment. “Planting trees is not enough when there is limited awareness about environmental issues,” explained education manager Alla Sahakyan. “Through our education program, we aim to raise a generation that will be caretakers of the environment. ” Melanya Sarukhanyan, age 13, is a regular at the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Center for Environmental Studies in Margahovit. She’s a member of our eco-club, whose 35 members meet weekly. The center has a beautiful experimental garden with flowers, plants and vegetables that the children care for. Melanya learned how to make compost and care for trees. She also learned about organic gardening, bee care and honey production. “We use modern technology,” she said. “We watch videos together. . . . It’s more fun that way. I’ve learned that nature gives us life, so we must care for it.” We also took the lead in organizing a program called “Empowering Environmental Education Network for Strengthening Environmental Governance in Armenia,” funded by EU Strengthening Environmental Governance by Building the Capacity of NGO’s Project and delivered by UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme. This vibrant network involves more than 30 civil society, educational and international organizations. WE’RE BUILDING BRIDGES WITH THE DIASPORA For several years, we have actively involved diasporan youth in our education initiatives though the Building Bridges program. We use video, a website, social media, school visits and a printed newsletter to engage young people in the issues and learn about how ATP is proposing solutions. When schoolchildren visit Armenia, they often plant trees with their peers and learn a little bit about each other. In 2015, we hosted six school visits that included plantings at historical locations like Sardarapat. “Thanks to the generous support of the Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation, we have been able to reach out to thousands of students throughout the US,” explained Building Bridges manager Sarah Hayes. “We provide students with fun education materials and encourage them to plant. Our goal is to develop the capacity of Armenian schools to be drivers for environmental security.” For information, visit www.armeniatree.org/buildingbridges. 7 Ar me nia Tre e Pro j e ct • A nnual Re po r t 201 5/201 6 E N V I R O N M E N TA L E D U C AT I O N 2016 Program Goals • Host Get Rooted tours to our nurseries and tree planting CREATING A HEALTHY YOUTH ARMENIA AWARENESS • Celebrate Earth Day and other key environmental days in Armenia • Expand partnerships with local and international organizations including businesses, NGO’s, governmental organizations and local citizens • Remain at the vanguard of environmental consciousness in Armenia by promoting activities like trash cleanups, being out in nature and living a healthy lifestyle Trash cleanups promote partnerships and volunteerism: As part of our mission to create a healthy environment and encourage partnerships, we organized several volunteer trash cleanups. The first was at Yerevan Children’s Railway for Earth Day, while a second was at a beautiful pine grove near Aparan (pictured here). “Our objective is a clean and healthy Armenia. The Children’s Railway and Mirak Forest are popular gathering places for families, so we were excited to make the areas more hospitable. We are grateful to the organizations and volunteers that joined us with suchenthusiasm and good will,” noted Country Director Lucineh Kassarjian. Serj Tankian and David Alpay Join Glamping Bash in California Philanthropy and star power joined forces for a high-energy farm-table dinner we hosted in November with System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian and actor David Alpay. TreePeople in Beverly Hills was the setting for the unique outdoor dinner, where hundreds of guests gathered to enjoy an evening in nature. Billed as glamping (“glamorous camping”), the event combined a rustic setting with elegant presentations. Tankian is a long-time friend with a record of environmental advocacy. “I stand behind the work of ATP, which is helping citizens in the Diaspora and Armenia undergo an environmental awakening,” he said. “It’s hard to look at the big picture and to make people understand that with the collapse of Armenia’s ecosystem would come the end of our nation. The magic of ATP is that it makes people understand this reality.” Alpay has been another advocate: “ATP promotes education, economic independence and food security by planting fruit trees. But its mandate runs deeper. It is nation-building in its most sacred form. When you contribute to ATP, when you plant a tree, you spread roots in the ground.” Founder Carolyn Mugar underscored the nation-building component: “We do this because we believe in Armenia,” she said, adding that early on, when there were other pressing needs, people questioned why she chose to plant trees. But, Mugar stressed, working to establish a system of sustainable forestry ensures there will be an Armenia capable of sustaining coming generations. To that end, our focus is also on educating the youngest of citizens to be environmentally conscious and vigilant. 9 Ar me n ia Tre e Pro j e ct • Annual Re po r t 2 01 5/201 6 PUBLIC OUTREACH Green Tour to Karin Join us for a tour of our tree nursery in Karin Village in the Aragatsotn region where we are growing thousands of trees for our planting initiatives. You’ll meet our staff and even learn how to graft a fruit tree. Our nursery is a green oasis in Armenia . . . it is truly where the magic happens. In Armenia: 37410 44 74 01 yerevan@armeniatree.org Tour dates are March 22 April 29 May 30 June 5 September 5 October 1 November 1 Trip is 3 hours including travel time from Yerevan. Light lunch will be provided. Suggested donation is $20. Dates subject to weather. Other dates may be available, contact us for information. In USA: 617 926 8733 info@armeniatree.org 21 Ar me n ia Tree P ro j e ct • Annual Re po r t 201 5/201 6 Get Rooted with ATP’s 23 Ar me n ia Tree P ro j e ct • A nnual Re po r t 201 2/201 3 22 A rme ni a Tre e P ro j e ct • A nnual Re po r t 201 5/201 6 SPECIAL THANKS We give special thanks to the following individuals, organizations, and companies for having volunteered their time, assisted with an event, or donated their services to make it another successful year for ATP. Peter Abajian Avedis Abovian Lilit Abovyan Gagik Adamian Hovig Aguilian David Alpay American University of Armenia Krisdapor Arabian Armenian Professional Society of Los Angeles Armenian Public Radio Armenians of North Bay Lina Arslanian Vera Arutyunyan Alik Meguerditchian Arzoumanian Christina Assadvazadorian Arpi Avanesian Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian School AYF La Crescenta Garegin Njdeh Badanegan Chapter Armen Baibourtian William and Nora Bairamian Anahit Bakhshyan Beaina Bedrossian Karen Bekaryan Vahe Berberian Gregory Bilezikian Matt Bogoshian Gabriel Bogossian Hilda Bogossian Trish Papelian Caricati Varant Chinchinian CivilNet.TV Norayr Daduryan Seta Dakessian Niyera Davoodian Lucineh Dayian Gianna Demirchyan Hayk Demoyan Levon Der Bedrossian (Silk Road Hotel) Menua Dolukhanian Karnig and Karen Durgarian Marten Ehnberg Al and Sabine Eisaian Lerna Ekmekcioglu EU Delegation in Armenia Vatche Fermanian Vehik Gabrielian Ani Galustian Tom and Dora Garabedian Hasmik Gasparyan Arusyak Gevorgyan Alisa Gevorgyan Dzovinar Ghazarian Derik Ghookasian GIZ IBIS Project Larissa Goliti Hovhannes Gumryan Alex Hachigian Astghik Hakobyan Anna Hovasapian Impact Hub Yerevan Hovsep Injejikian Lisa Giragosian Iskikian Arthur Ispiryan Zareh Issakhanian Lorraine Diaz Issavi Rupen Janbazian Kimberly Kamborian Matthew Karanian Talin Kargodorian Ardy Kassakhian Ani Manjikian Kenderian Talin Keshishoghlian Vahe Keushguerian Taline Kevonian Christine Jerian Kharmandalian Maroun Khoury Stepan Khzrtian Sara Kilisian Carla Koundakjian Roger and Alina Kupelian Simon Maghakyan Mihran Mahmouzian Leo Mandani Shahe Mankerian Gayane Manukyan Vartan Marashlyan Kara Setian Marston Samvel Martirosyan Sona Martirosyan Sosie Almasian Megerdichian Margarita Melikjanian Margaret Mgrublian Emil Minas Karen Killerjian Minassian Armine Movsisyan Naira Muradyan Elita Nazarian Garo Nerkizian Larisa Nikogosyan Anush Gharibyan O’Connor Zepyur Ohanessian Anahid Oshagan Sebouh Oshagan Ambassador Erikas Petrikas (Lithuania) Larisa Safaryan Vahe Sargsyan Shamlian Family Shant TV Hripsik Shatikian Southland Nursery Sir Timothy Straight Serj and Angela Tankian Sevag Tankian Vahagn Thomasian Baydzar Thomasian Ruth Thomasian George Tonikian TreePeople Scout Tufankjian Arto Tuncboyaciyan Bridget and Denis Twomey UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme Uni Comp Inc. (Jan Paul and Lisa Ann von Wendt) Lucy Varpetian Sarkis Vartanian Helder Vieira Sahag Yedalian Asdghig YoghourtjianSepetjian York University ASA Vahan Zanoyan Armenia Tree Project is working to create a secure, independent, and sustainable Armenia through environmental education, community-based tree planting, and advocacy. Since 1994, we have planted and restored more than 4.9 million trees, established three nurseries and two environmental education centers, provided employment to hundreds of seasonal workers who plant and maintain our fledgling forests, and educated many thousands of children about the environment. We strive to: • PLANT TREES in every community of Armenia and Artsakh 2001 • REVERSE the loss of Armenia’s forests • CREATE a new generation of environmental stewards through education • ADVOCATE for the sustainable use of our natural resources Our flagship Community Tree Planting Program focuses on planting trees at more than 1,000 urban and rural sites in over 350 towns and villages in Armenia and Artsakh. These trees provide shade, clean air and water, protect against dust and erosion, and produce more than 500,000 pounds of fruit annually to benefit local communities. Our Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery supplies hundreds of thousands of seedlings that we use for large-scale planting each year. Successful reforestation is combined with locally based poverty reduction to protect existing resources. We hire hundreds of seasonal workers each year to assist in the planting and maintenance of these fledgling forests. We conduct environmental education in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in every corner of Armenia. Thousands of schoolchildren visit our two Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education Centers each year. These centers provide hands-on and classroom instruction focused on the environment. 2014 Before and after: We’ve planted hundreds of trees at Saint Harutyun Church in Samakhar Village (Armavir province). Our work in Samakhar began in 2001 as we greened churches throughout Armenia to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of Armenia’s adoption of Christianity. 23 A rme ni a Tre e P ro j e ct • Annual Re po r t 201 5/201 6 Mission Statement Ar me n ia Tre e Pro j e ct • A nnual Re po r t 2 01 5/201 6 ATP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Carolyn Mugar, Founder Nancy Kricorian Julia Mirak Kew Anthony Barsamian ATP IN-COUNTRY OFFICE Armenia Tree Project Charitable Foundation Arshakunyats Street 57/5 Yerevan, Armenia 0026 (37410) 44-74-01 Follow us on Facebook & Twitter Printed on recycled paper # GetRooted 65 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #375 NASHUA NH