{{Infobox organization | name = My Forest Armenia | logo = File:My_Forest_Armenia_logo.jpeg | native_name = Իմ Անտառ Հայաստան | formation = 2019 | headquarters = [[Yerevan]] | region_served = [[Armenia]] | purpose = [[Reforestation]] | type = [[Nonprofit organization|Nonprofit]] | leader_title = Founder | leader_name = Andre Gumuchdjian | website = [https://myforestarmenia.org/ myforestarmenia.org] }}
'''My Forest Armenia''' ({{langx|hy|Իմ Անտառ Հայաստան|Im Antar Hayastan}}) is a [[non-profit organization]] founded in 2019, in [[Yerevan]], Armenia. The organization was established with the initial goal of offsetting [[carbon emissions]] from burning [[fossil fuel]]s, which was carried out through [[reforestation]] and [[afforestation]] efforts in the [[Lori Province|Lori]] and [[Tavush Province|Tavush]] provinces of Armenia.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=My Forest Armenia Officially Launches in Yerevan – Asbarez.com |url=https://asbarez.com/my-forest-armenia-officially-launches-in-yerevan/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |language=en-US}}</ref> The organization planted 910,000 trees in Armenia in 2023.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=583,513 Trees Planted in Fall 2023: A Record-Breaking Achievement! |url=https://myforestarmenia.org/news/583,513_trees_planted_in_fall_2023:_a_record-breaking_achievement! |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=My Forest Armenia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="My Forest Armenia" organization will build a greenhouse for forest saplings in Lori Marz|url=https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/12/15/%C2%AB%D4%BB%D5%B4-%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%BC-%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B6%C2%BB-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%A6%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BA%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%A8-%D4%BC%D5%B8%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82-%D5%B4%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A6%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B4-%D5%AF%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%81%D5%AB-%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%BC%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AB%D5%B6-%D5%BF%D5%B6%D5%AF%D5%AB%D5%B6%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%BB%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B4%D5%B8%D6%81/850200|access-date=2024-01-30|website=1lurer.am}}</ref>
== Mission and vision == My Forest Armenia's mission is to sustainably increase forest coverage, combat environmental challenges like carbon emissions, [[soil erosion]], and [[desertification]], and preserve [[biodiversity]]. The organization aims to empower local communities under the guidance of scientists and expert foresters.<ref name=":0" />
== History and founding == In its early stages, My Forest Armenia focused on [[carbon offsetting]], but as the project evolved, Andre Gumuchdjian, founder and current CEO, recognized the vital role of forests in supporting life on Earth. Understanding the complexity of ecosystems and the essential services provided by forests, the organization's mission expanded to sustainable afforestation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Viva-MTS and "My Forest Armenia" organization continue the environmental partnership|url=https://www.civilnet.am/news/755755/%D5%BE%D5%AB%D5%BE%D5%A1-%D5%B4%D5%BF%D5%BD-%D5%B6-%D5%B8%D6%82-%D5%AB%D5%B4-%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%BC-%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%A6%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BA%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%A8-%D5%B7%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B4-%D5%A5%D5%B6-%D5%A2%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%A3%D5%B8%D6%80%D5%AE%D5%A8%D5%B6%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6%D5%A8/|access-date=2024-01-30 |website=civilnet.am}}</ref>
=== Development and expansion === The organization has grown to a team of 50 people, with up to 240 individuals joining during planting and maintenance seasons. The team comprises professionals from various fields.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}
In collaboration with the [[Armenian National Agrarian University]], My Forest Armenia established a greenhouse dedicated to growing tree seedlings and serving educational and research purposes. The organization's initiatives significantly contribute to improving the quality of life and socio-economic conditions in the regions they operate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institutional Partners |url=https://myforestarmenia.org/institutional-partners |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=myforestarmenia.org}}</ref>
In collaboration with [[Armenia Tree Project]] and Shen, the organization co-founded the [[Armenia Forest Alliance]] in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Forest Alliance of Armenia was founded |url=http://www.mnp.am/en/news/forest-alliance-of-armenia-founded |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Ministry of Environment |language=en}}</ref>
=== Milestones === My Forest Armenia initiated its first planting in [[Shirakamut]], Lori, in November 2020, and by April 2021, they had planted 140,000 trees. The organization's goal is to plant 800,000 trees annually, with a commitment to sustainable practices and community empowerment.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}
The organization's impact goes beyond afforestation; it positively influences local communities by creating jobs and fostering economic activities such as eco-tourism and beekeeping.{{citation needed|date= January 2024}}
==== Recent accomplishments ==== The fall planting season of 2023 marked a milestone for My Forest Armenia. With a team of 240 tree planters, foremen, and drivers, the organization planted a record-breaking 583,513 trees and shrubs. In total, 910,303 trees were planted in 2023, representing various species, including [[Caucasian oak]], wild pear, [[pine]], [[birch]], [[wild apple]], and others.<ref name=":1" />
The organization collaborates with volunteers and corporate partners, such as One Tree Planted, UN Armenia,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green gift from the UN Armenia Office to Armenia |url=https://mediamax.am/en/news/society/49530/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=mediamax.am |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Children of Armenia Fund|Children of Armenia Fund (COAF)]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2020-06-07 |title=Green and SMART: partnership with seeds of growth |url=https://www.coaf.org/myforestarmenia/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) |language=en-US}}</ref> among many other partners, in achieving their goals. The [[Central Bank of Armenia]] and the [[Union of Banks of Armenia]] together planted 160,000 trees on 50 hectares of land on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the [[Armenian dram]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Forest on the Occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Armenian Dram |url=https://ameriabank.am/en/media-room/articleid/5509/amd-30th-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Ameriabank |language=en-US}}</ref>
== See also == * [[Armenia Tree Project]] * [[Armenian Environmental Network]] * [[Geography of Armenia]] * [[Social issues in Armenia]]
== External links == * [https://myforestarmenia.org/ Official site]
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Armenia topics}} {{Portal bar|Trees}}
[[Category:Environmental organizations based in Armenia]] [[Category:Organizations established in 2019]] [[Category:2019 establishments in Armenia]] [[Category:Reforestation]] [[Category:Yerevan]] [[Category:Forestry in Europe]]