THE ARMENIA TREE PROJECT/ U.S. PEACE CORPS FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE

[Belka]

THE ARMENIA TREE PROJECT/ U.S. PEACE CORPS ARMENIA 1ST JOINT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE/ WORKSHOP 2005


Yerevan, 2005 ---- The first in the history of Armenia ‘Environmental Education Conference’/Workshop 2005, being initiated and implemented by Armenia Tree Project (ATP) and U.S. Peace Corps Armenia, will take place February 25-26, 2005. Armenia Tree Project environmental organization hosts the event.

Environmental Education Conference Objectives are:

- To share concise and practical information about environmental education (EE) with interested NGOs and U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers specializing in EE.

- To build solid working relationships among Armenian NGOs and with Peace Corps Volunteers working in EE.

- To present a comprehensive agenda for sharing and implementing EE projects among current NGO programs throughout 2005 and in the future.

EE Conference Coordinators are:

Armen Tiraturyan, U.S. Peace Corps Armenia
Environmental Education Program Manager

Anahit Gharibyan
Armenia Tree Project Community Tree Planting Coordinator

Karla M. Wesley, Ph. D.
Consultant, Environmental Education and Organizational Development


Facilitator: Karla M. Wesley, Ph. D.



The conference attendees will hear outstanding presentations from environmentalists and environmental education trainers from local and International organizations. Among the speakers are Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV), agriculture specialists from Armenia Tree Project, forestry experts from the Armenian Agricultural Academy, educators from Birds of Armenia Project, American University in Armenia (AUA) Environmental Public Advocacy Center, World Wildlife Fund, Armenia and Women for Green Way for Generations (WGWG) NGO and invited EE experts from the regions. Participants will witness a sample outdoor lesson on “Tree grafting” prepared by the ATP, as well as take an active part in the Roundtable Discussion on overcoming social and economic barriers to the EE in Armenia and be involved in a Brainstorming Session aimed to identify common EE goals for NGOs and PCVs in 2005.

This unique Environmental Education Conference/ Workshop 2005 is a result of collaborative efforts from Peace Corps Armenia and Armenia Tree Project. The conference aims to set a model for undertaking annual environmental education workshops each year.

2005 is the seventh year of collaboration between U.S. Peace Corps Armenia and Armenia Tree Project. In 2004 ATP participated in 5 Peace Corps summer camps held in different regions of our country, where ATP had the opportunity to conduct a Nature Lesson at each camp and introduce its activity broadly.


For your information:

Armenia Tree Project

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 580,000 trees at approximately 500 sites ranging from Gumri to Goris.

Two state-of-the-art nurseries, founded in the refugee villages of Karin (Ashtarak area) and Khachpar (Masis Area) not only provide 40,000 – 50,000 trees annually for community tree planting all over Armenia, but are also a major source of employment for these refugee villages. Another vast nursery has been established last year for providing over one million trees annually for reforestation of the devastated landscape in Vanadzor.


Peace Corps Armenia

Peace Corps Armenia was established in 1992 at the invitation of the
Government of Armenia. With the addition of this new group, 85 Volunteers
are working in schools, universities, NGOs, and health facilities throughout
Armenia. During the last twelve years 383 Peace Corps Volunteers have
served in Armenia.

The U. S. Peace Corps was founded in 1961 by United States President John F.
Kennedy and has three goals: to provide trained assistance to people of
other countries as requested, to promote a better understanding of Americans
by the people of the countries in which they serve, and to promote a better
understanding of other cultures by Americans.


For more information, please, contact:

Bella Avetisyan (Public Outreach Coordinator) at Armenia Tree Project:
Tel.: (374 1) 44 74 01, 44 74 02 (ext.242)
Fax: 44 77 26
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]

Diana Sargsyan (Executive Assistant) at Peace Corps, Armenia:
Tel: (374-1) 52-44-50 (ext.101)
Fax: 557991
E-mail: [email protected]