On June 5, the world celebrates World Environment Day 2026. This year, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has designated climate change as its core theme. Leading experts in the field emphasize that climate change cannot be viewed as an isolated, standalone phenomenon; it is a systemic issue that demands systems thinking.

Historically, the conventional approach was to break complex environmental challenges into separate components, analyze and solve them individually, and then attempt to aggregate the results. However, ecosystems do not operate this way. Climate change is merely one manifestation of the broader breakdown of the Earth system. It is directly interconnected with water stress, biodiversity loss, pollution, land degradation, and socio-economic factors.

As experts point out, a forest is not merely the sum of trees, soil, fungi, and wildlife. It is a vast, interconnected system where every element impacts the others. Systems thinking means shifting from the study of isolated parts to understanding how the entire ecosystem behaves—identifying which feedback loops worsen or stabilize the environment, and determining which intervention points can trigger cascading positive outcomes.

In response to this global challenge, the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) is launching one of its major strategic initiatives, serving as a living, practical model for building climate resilience. Driven by this systemic philosophy, FPWC introduces its new project: "Restoring Riverine Ecosystems and Degraded Forests in Armenia's Volcanic Landscapes of Vayots Dzor."

Supported by Arcadia, the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP) backs transformative restoration efforts across Europe, and Armenia is proud to be among the selected landscapes.

Currently, ecological connectivity in the Vayots Dzor province is disrupted, and riverine ecosystems are threatened by human impact and climate change. Led by FPWC, this project is implemented in close cooperation with local communities, regional administrations, and international partners. It aims to establish self-sustaining natural dynamics, fostering a wilder and more resilient landscape.

Geographic scope: The project will reconnect forests and rivers across 80,000 hectares.

Hydrological restoration: It plans to revitalize natural river flows in the Yeghegis Valley and restore riparian corridors.

Reforestation: Degraded areas will be rehabilitated using high-conservation-value and wild fruit trees.

Restoration of trophic chains: Healing the ecosystem will stabilize food chains and strengthen migratory corridors for threatened and endangered species, including the Bezoar ibex, Armenian mouflon, and the critically endangered Caucasian leopard.

The Vayots Dzor project is deeply rooted in strong community support. Residents will be actively engaged across all stages of restoration planning, implementation, and monitoring. This fosters local stewardship of nature through nature-based solutions, sustainable land-use measures, and the development of ecotourism.

World Environment Day serves as a powerful reminder that the climate crisis cannot be resolved through cosmetic changes alone. It requires transformative, landscape-scale interventions that recognize the profound interconnectedness of all elements of nature.