From theory to practice: Armenian high school students embrace reforestation skills

On 21 November 2024 in Syunik Marz, Armenia, high school students in Goris received training in tree planting and forest management. The activity was carried out by the local Forestry branch of Hayantar SNCO, the state organization for forest management in Armenia, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Armenia.

The community awareness raising event was organized within the framework of the project “Sustainable Forest Management in Armenia,” implemented by the Ministry of Environment and FAO. The project is co-funded by a grant from the Green Climate Fund, FAO, the Austrian Development Agency, the World Wildlife Fund and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Italy. A significant amount of funding is provided by the Government of Armenia.

This collaborative effort aims to inspire youth of Armenia to take an active role in sustainable forestry and environmental preservation.  By combining education with practical learning experience, this initiative empowers the next generation with the skills and inspiration needed to shape a greener, more resilient future for Armenia.

The benefiting students were adolescents aged 14 to 16 years old from Goris high schools, who learned about essential topics such as seedling production, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies for sustainable forest management. Special emphasis was on approaches to encourage the inclusive and equitable participation of women in forest management and environmental initiatives. 

They are beneficiaries of the “Horizons” programme, implemented jointly by My Step Charitable Foundation and the Sisian Branch of Armenian National Agrarian University. The "Horizons" Dual Education Program, designed for human capital development, introduces a new educational model developed and implemented in public educational institutions, within the framework of which students strengthen their theoretical knowledge by doing practical work in local companies.

Following the information sessions, around 70 high school students and teachers participated in the practical tree planting activity guided by Naira Gasparyan, FAO Seedling Production Specialist. Gasparyan demonstrated the essential techniques such as preparing planting holes, ensuring the right depth and spacing for seedlings to thrive. She also emphasized the importance of selecting the right seedlings and planting them appropriately to promote healthy forest regeneration. Through this hands-on experience, students learned the science behind reforestation and gained a deeper appreciation for the long-term care required to nurture newly planted trees.