ATP Launches New Tree Nursery in Chiva, the Gateway to Armenia’s Burgeoning Wine Region

ATP’s leadership joined guests in the southern wine region of Vayots Dzor to break ground on its fourth tree nursery; several Chiva Nursery workers are pictured with founder Carolyn Mugar, executive committee member Julia Mirak Kew, executive director Jeanmarie Papelian and nursery managers Samvel Ghandilyan and Tigran Palazyan.

BY JASON SOHIGIAN

CHIVA, Armenia””Visitors to Armenia’s wine region may have noticed new activity along the roadside when passing through the small town of Chiva as they travel south from Yerevan. Armenia Tree Project (ATP) put this town on the map by launching its fourth nursery there on October 26.

For years, ATP has operated nurseries in the villages of Karin, Khachpar, and Margahovit, which provide much-needed employment and provide thousands of tree seedlings to be planted every spring and fall. The nurseries serve as field research centers for state-of-the-art tree propagation, grafting techniques, irrigation methodologies, and provide environmental education for students, professionals, and local farmers. Now, ATP is expanding its reach southward, to the Vayots Dzor region.

The Chiva groundbreaking was well-attended by local guests and visitors from abroad. The opening ceremony was led by Der Sahak Martirosyan, a vibrant local priest who has collaborated with ATP on other projects including tree planting around Noravank Monastery. Zorik Gharibian, founder of the renowned Zorah Wines, was also in attendance to “welcome ATP to the neighborhood.”