Green Camps
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About Us
Who We Are
Green Tavush is an Armenian-based NGO whose mission is to raise environmental awareness about the ecological problems facing the South Caucasus region through a focus on youth developmental programs. Partnering with such organizations as the the United States Peace Corps, the United States Embassy, the British Embassy, and the Eurasian Partnership Foundation, Green Tavush strives to bring environmental programs to communities throughout Armenia. Since 2004, Green Tavush has conducted more than 30 Environmental Green Camps, organized more than 50 trash cleanups, and impacted the lives of hundreds of Armenian children.
Artsrun Mkhitaryan, founder of Green Tavush, has summed up his philosophy with these words. “If I can see the smiles of just four or five children that we have made a difference for, that’s worth all the salary in the world.” Green Tavush is supported by the generous donations of concerned citizens around the world.
The Founders
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| Director Artsrun Mkhitaryan pictured with young girl after 2006 camp, delivering gifts donated by UMCOR. Artsrun is a 2008 Peace Corps Armenia NGO Oustanding Director award recipient. |
Assistant Director Arkadii (Arko) Mkhintaryan talks with an Eco Club at a local school.
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Armen Mkhitaryan at Lake Sevan with a 2007 Eco Camp. Armen serves as translator, computer support specialist and Eco Camp Counselor. |
About Tavush
Armenia lies within the South Caucasus region. The World Wildlife Fund has identified the Caucasus region as a Critical Ecosystem due to its biological diversity and threatened status. The Tavush Region is often referred to as “The Armenian Switzerland,” due to its picturesque mountains and forests. Tucked into the northeast corner of Armenia and bordering both Georgia and Azerbaijan, Tavush contains Armenia’s highest concentration of forest as well as its lowest elevation. During Soviet times, the area was known as a top resort destination, frequented by many of the USSR’s best writers and composers. Today, Tavush is known for the high quality of its local fruit and tobacco. Unfortunately, the Karabagh War proved devastating to this small isolated region. Heavy shelling and the loss of infrastructure left Tavush in disarray, both physically and economically. In the ensuing fight for survival, natural protection often took a back seat. Severe deforestation, heavily polluted rivers, and land degradation are all side effects of those difficult times. However, the subsequent years have brought little change. Tavush still retains some of its stunning beauty and unique ecology, but both are severely endangered by illegal logging, poor farming practices, and a lack of environmental awareness.
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