Towards preserving species native to the areas, conserving biodiversity, and establishing sustainable livelihoods, the FPWC has a goal to restore several plots of highly degraded sparse forests in the territory of the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (CWR).
TPC provides a flexible framework to improve the survival and growth of the seedlings. It emphasizes how seedlings perform on the outplanting site rather than on nursery performance, determines the target plant based on site characteristics, and information is gathered from post-planting monitoring to improve subsequent plant materials.
Established in 2016, we have restored around 140 ha of land. Our committed team of rangers patrols the planted areas to ensure no negative human impact will affect restored lands.
Due to the planting methodology and devoted team of nursery workers and rangers, we have 95% of tree survival rate.
From seed collection to planting the seedlings, we engage the local population, providing seasonal employment opportunities.
Restoration has significance in terms of ecosystem services provided by the forest. However, it is also a serious challenge considering the non-favorable natural climatic conditions of arid and semi-desert climatic zone.
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has supported FPWC in its efforts to establish one of the first native tree nurseries in Armenia that utilizes the technique of growing tree seedlings in containers. This methodology allows the cultivation of native tree species that are hard or impossible to grow through the bare-root method, more commonly used in Armenia.
An intervention aimed at enhancing the ability of desired species regeneration, creating also a habitat, migration routes, and food source for wildlife (this could be helpful in human-bear conflict solution). The plantations should predict the soil layer from further depletion and loss, serve for water storage, etc. Following “Mosaic” restoration practices, our approach is the creation of a landscape of multiple land uses; a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resources management system, which through the integration of wild fruit trees and the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels.
Currently, the project is supported by the World Land Trust. Within this project, by the end of 2027, we will grow and plant over 700,000 trees, restoring over 250 ha of land.
