In celebration of the 15th anniversary of its founding, Armenia Tree Project (www.armeniatree.org) has released a new documentary about its tree planting, environmental education, and poverty reduction programs. Armenia faced a series of challenges in the late 1980s including an earthquake, military conflict, and energy shortages that contributed to widespread poverty especially among the rural population. A large percentage of the population was dependent on wood for cooking and heating, so Armenia’s forests were a major casualty. This deforestation led to flooding, erosion, and landslides that destroyed homes and arable land. In response, ATP has worked with local communities to plant more than three million trees at urban and rural sites around Armenia. These programs have had a major impact on families and communities by creating a source of income and changing people’s attitudes toward trees and the environment. This 16-minute film, “Every Tree…,” was directed by Kennedy Wheatley and photographed and edited by Amaya Cervino.
