Armenia Tree Project Celebrates Earth Day

Armenia Tree Project
Yerevan 375025, Aygestan 9th Str., #6
Tel./Fax (374 1) 569910
Internet: www.armeniatree.org
E-mail: trees@arminco.com

Press Release
20.04.2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

US Ambassador, Armenia Tree Project and Jinishian Memorial Foundation to Celebrate Earth Day in Mountainous Village of Dzoravank

On Friday, April 23, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Ordway, and Mrs. Maryjo Ordway will mark Earthday in a joint Armenia Tree Project/Jinishian Memorial Foundation tree planting to establish a large (0.8 hectare) fruit and nut orchard for the refugee community of Dzoravank in Gegharkounik Marz. This joint endeavor is being made possible thanks to the organization and outreach efforts of the Armenia Tree Project (ATP) and a donation by Jinishian Memorial Foundation. In cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, IREX and ACTR/ACCELS, 20 alumni from U.S.government exchange programs will travel as volunteers to Dzoravank to help with the tree planting. The date of the event is chosen to coincide with the celebration of Earth Day (celebrated globally on April 22 every year).

ATP Founder Carolyn Mugar, Executive Director Jeff Masarjian and Country Director Susan Yacubian Klein will be in Dzoravank for this important event. Other high ranked guests have also been invited.

This marks the second year Ambassador Ordway is celebrating Earth Day with ATP in the Getik River valley. Dzoravank is the second village in the area where ATP is implementing a combined long term reforestation-poverty reduction program. The program was initiated in 2002 in the village of Aygut, situated approximately 10 kilometers distance from Dzoravank. ATP intends to expand to all 13 villages located in the picturesque Getik River valley. In this program of sustainable mountainous development, ATP partners with the villagers and with other international and local organizations to combat the linked problems of poverty and natural resource degradation. Among the contributors to date are USDA/MAP, World Food Program, Heifer International,Project Harmony,ORRAN, Boghosian Education Center, and Satsil..

For further information, please contact Karen Sarkavagyan at the Armenia Tree Project, phone numbers 569910 and 553069, E-mail trees@arminco.com

The Armenia Tree Project was founded in 1994 during Armenia’s darkest and coldest years with the vision of securing Armenia’s future by protecting Armenia’s environment. Funded by contributions from Diasporan Armenians, ATP has planted and rejuvenated over 500,000 trees at more than 450 sites ranging from Gumri to Goris.

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