From Theory to Practice: Goris High School Children Embrace Reforestation Skills

The community level awareness 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 with 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.

The benefiting students were children from Goris high schools. They are beneficiaries of the “Horizons” program, 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 the theoretical knowledge by doing practical work in local companies.

The training focused on 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. Following the training, around 70 high school children and teachers participated in the practical tree planting activity guided by Naira Gasparyan, FAO Seedling Production Specialist. Ms. 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, children learned the science behind reforestation and gained a deeper appreciation for the long-term care required to nurture newly planted trees.

This collaborative effort aims to inspire youth of Armenia to take active roles 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.