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PRESS RELEASE
May 21, 2008

Public Forum to be Held on Sustainable Development Strategies For Armenia’s Future

WATERTOWN, MA--According to studies by international forestry experts, Armenia is one of the vulnerable countries with a forest cover of less than 10 percent. As a result, Armenia faces challenges caused by erosion, landslides, water management, climate change, and desertification. A number of factors have contributed to this crisis, some of which are related to geopolitics, poverty, corruption, and poor land management practices.

Zachary Parisa (right) from the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies has done field work in Armenia’s forests near ATP’s Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery and he is drafting a sustainable forestry manual for Armenia (Photo by Kathryn Howard)

Since 1994, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) has been working to implement solutions to these problems by planting trees at hundreds of urban and rural areas around the country. To highlight the next phase of this work, ATP and a number of cosponsoring organizations will be hosting a public forum on Thursday, June 19 titled “Sustainable Development Strategies for Armenia’s Future.”

The program will begin with the screening of a recent documentary film by Vem Media Arts of Yerevan, followed by a presentation by ATP Executive Director Jeff Masarjian and Zachary Parisa of the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

Mr. Parisa has done field work in the forests of northern Armenia, near ATP’s 15-acre Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery in Margahovit Village, and he is drafting a sustainable forestry manual for Armenia.

This event is cosponsored by Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Assembly, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Environmental Network, Armenian National Committee, and Vem Media Arts. “We are very excited to be collaborating with these organizations, all which have recently partnered with ATP to spread the message about sustainable development and the threat of deforestation,” added Masarjian. “It is our sincere hope that the list of organizations grows in the coming years as we advance our reforestation programs in Armenia.”

The Thursday, June 19 event will begin with a complimentary reception at 6:00 pm, followed by a public presentation at 7:00 pm. The program will be held at the Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic Avenue, Arlington, Massachusetts. Seating limited, so please RSVP by calling (781) 646-3090 or send an email to acf.hmh@verizon.net.

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