Celebrating three decades of dedicated environmental work, the Armenia Tree Project (ATP) marks its 30th anniversary with the launch of an exciting new initiative: the Tree Nursery Start-up and Management Course.

Over the years ATP has transformed the landscape of Armenia, planting over 8.5 million trees and shrubs. Our nurseries have become vibrant innovation centers, attracting visitors who want to understand and replicate our success. Many visitors, curious about starting their own nurseries, often asked, “How do you grow such flowering plants?” Their questions inspired us to develop this hands-on course, with the goal of sharing our expertise with a wider audience.

In June this year we launched our very first course at Karin Nursery. For three days, participants delved into the fundamentals of nursery management under the guidance of our dedicated team. Participants came from a variety of backgrounds, some had formal training, others had practical experience, but all were united by a passion for learning.

They investigated the following:

• Propagation techniques: From traditional sowing to innovative hydroponics
• Efficient irrigation: Techniques for saving water while maintaining plant health
• Grafting fruit trees: Methods for increasing yield and quality
• Practical skills: Practical sessions that brought theoretical concepts to life.

Lusine Gyurjinyan, one of the course participants, said looking back on the experience: “I enjoyed participating in the training course on tree nursery establishment and management organized by the Armenia Tree Project. I am grateful to the organizers and trainers for their extensive knowledge and for teaching us skills in tree nursery management. I look forward to sharing what I have learned with my students and collaborating with the Armenia Tree Project on many other projects.”

In addition to learning, participants visited cultural sites such as the churches of St. Mesrop Mashtots and St. Gevorg in the villages of Oshakan and Mughni, deepening their understanding of our work. The course concluded with the planting of a memorial tree in ATP’s Semonian Park, symbolizing the shared commitment to environmental protection.

The course was a great success. The enthusiasm and insightful questions of the participants confirmed the need for this knowledge. We are already preparing a longer course for this autumn in response to the positive feedback and demand for more in-depth learning.

Armenia Tree Project (ATP) is a nonprofit program based in Woburn and Yerevan that conducts vital environmental projects in Armenia’s cities and villages and seeks support to implement its reforestation mission. Since 1994, ATP has planted and restored more than 6,000,000 trees and hundreds of jobs have been created for Armenians through seasonal tree programs.