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ATP LOS ANGELES GALA MARKS 20 YEARS OF GREENING ARMENIA
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/06/03/atp-los-angeles-gala-marks-20-years-greening-armenia/
By Contributor on June 3, 2014
LOS ANGELES--On May 12, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) officially began its
20th anniversary celebrations with what can only be called a bustling
outdoor gathering amid the lush gardens of the Huntington Library,
Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, Calif. Long-time
supporters and new friends joined founder Carolyn Mugar to celebrate
two decades of planting and greening all corners of Armenia and
promoting environmental consciousness throughout the country.
ATP founder Carolyn Mugar, West Coast Building Bridges Manager Anahit
Gharibyan, and Flora Dunaians
After cocktails on the Art Gallery Loggia and dinner at the South
Terrace of what was once the Huntington family residence, senior Obama
Administration official Matt Bogoshian began the program as master of
ceremonies. "Organizations like ATP are creating jobs, and doing it
in a way that is good for the planet. It's all a part of the 'triple
bottom line,'" he explained, alluding to the importance of people,
profit, and the planet.
Bogoshian, who promotes sustainability initiatives and develops policy
on pollution prevention in the Obama Administration, addressed the
role ATP plays in reducing global climate change. "By planting trees,
ATP is actually at the cutting edge on this issue. Your work can be
used as a model to show other countries how to do reforestation and
introduce solutions to this global crisis. ATP can set an example to
save the world."
In his keynote address, Matthew Karanian, author of Armenia and
Karabakh: The Stone Garden Travel Guide, spoke about the positive
ecological and
(Seated) David Mgrublian, Ara and Armineh Tavitian, and Susan
Arzoumanian. (Back) Michelle Kezirian, Kathryn and Madlyn Mgrublian,
Gala Committee chair Margaret Mgrublian, journalist and author Mark
Arax, and Sarkis Arzoumanian
economic impact ATP has had on Armenia. "Reforestation is not
as simple as planting trees. Once a forest has been lost to clear
cutting, its biological diversity cannot easily be replaced," Karanian
explained. "The Tree Project recognizes this, and this is why ATP
does more than plant trees. It also educates about the need to save,
and manage, and conserve the trees we already have."
Special guests who joined ATP to celebrate the milestone included
former Secretary of the U.S. Navy and Assistant Secretary of Defense
Paul Ignatius, and award-winning journalist and author Mark Arax.
Introduced as a leader with a long resume of effecting social change
and a committed citizen changing the world, founder Carolyn Mugar
addressed the human face of ATP. She expressed heartfelt gratitude
to the thousands of friends who have helped ATP fight poverty
and unemployment in rural villages by establishing tree nurseries,
community planting sites, and fruit orchards. "This project is you all,
and our people in Armenia," she said. "You won't believe how much of
'a village' it takes to do all of this."
ATP Gala benefactors Haig and Hilda Manjikian with their extended
families
She invited guests to visit ATP's various projects and sites. "See
it for yourself. See the nurseries, education centers, and planting
sites, and meet the people that are doing this work in communities
all over Armenia and Artsakh [Karabagh]. Please call us if you plan
to go because everyone should do it."
In closing, Mugar amusingly added, "ATP is not an NGO, a
non-governmental organization. We are an NGU, meaning Never Give Up!"
Since its inception in 1994, ATP has planted more than 4.4 million
trees during 41 seasons of planting, established 3 nurseries and 2
environmental education centers, and has greened villages, churches,
parks, and open spaces throughout Armenia. In the process, the
organization has provided employment for hundreds of people and
provided vital resources to thousands of villagers throughout the
country.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/06/03/atp-los-angeles-gala-marks-20-years-greening-armenia/
By Contributor on June 3, 2014
LOS ANGELES--On May 12, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) officially began its
20th anniversary celebrations with what can only be called a bustling
outdoor gathering amid the lush gardens of the Huntington Library,
Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, Calif. Long-time
supporters and new friends joined founder Carolyn Mugar to celebrate
two decades of planting and greening all corners of Armenia and
promoting environmental consciousness throughout the country.
ATP founder Carolyn Mugar, West Coast Building Bridges Manager Anahit
Gharibyan, and Flora Dunaians
After cocktails on the Art Gallery Loggia and dinner at the South
Terrace of what was once the Huntington family residence, senior Obama
Administration official Matt Bogoshian began the program as master of
ceremonies. "Organizations like ATP are creating jobs, and doing it
in a way that is good for the planet. It's all a part of the 'triple
bottom line,'" he explained, alluding to the importance of people,
profit, and the planet.
Bogoshian, who promotes sustainability initiatives and develops policy
on pollution prevention in the Obama Administration, addressed the
role ATP plays in reducing global climate change. "By planting trees,
ATP is actually at the cutting edge on this issue. Your work can be
used as a model to show other countries how to do reforestation and
introduce solutions to this global crisis. ATP can set an example to
save the world."
In his keynote address, Matthew Karanian, author of Armenia and
Karabakh: The Stone Garden Travel Guide, spoke about the positive
ecological and
(Seated) David Mgrublian, Ara and Armineh Tavitian, and Susan
Arzoumanian. (Back) Michelle Kezirian, Kathryn and Madlyn Mgrublian,
Gala Committee chair Margaret Mgrublian, journalist and author Mark
Arax, and Sarkis Arzoumanian
economic impact ATP has had on Armenia. "Reforestation is not
as simple as planting trees. Once a forest has been lost to clear
cutting, its biological diversity cannot easily be replaced," Karanian
explained. "The Tree Project recognizes this, and this is why ATP
does more than plant trees. It also educates about the need to save,
and manage, and conserve the trees we already have."
Special guests who joined ATP to celebrate the milestone included
former Secretary of the U.S. Navy and Assistant Secretary of Defense
Paul Ignatius, and award-winning journalist and author Mark Arax.
Introduced as a leader with a long resume of effecting social change
and a committed citizen changing the world, founder Carolyn Mugar
addressed the human face of ATP. She expressed heartfelt gratitude
to the thousands of friends who have helped ATP fight poverty
and unemployment in rural villages by establishing tree nurseries,
community planting sites, and fruit orchards. "This project is you all,
and our people in Armenia," she said. "You won't believe how much of
'a village' it takes to do all of this."
ATP Gala benefactors Haig and Hilda Manjikian with their extended
families
She invited guests to visit ATP's various projects and sites. "See
it for yourself. See the nurseries, education centers, and planting
sites, and meet the people that are doing this work in communities
all over Armenia and Artsakh [Karabagh]. Please call us if you plan
to go because everyone should do it."
In closing, Mugar amusingly added, "ATP is not an NGO, a
non-governmental organization. We are an NGU, meaning Never Give Up!"
Since its inception in 1994, ATP has planted more than 4.4 million
trees during 41 seasons of planting, established 3 nurseries and 2
environmental education centers, and has greened villages, churches,
parks, and open spaces throughout Armenia. In the process, the
organization has provided employment for hundreds of people and
provided vital resources to thousands of villagers throughout the
country.