OUR
STORY
“Arpa” Environmental Foundation (AEF) was established by the council decision of 3 communities (Khachik, Areni, Gnishik) in 2011 as the managing body for “Arpa” Protected Landscape (PL), with a financial and administrative support from WWF- Armenia and Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF).
In 2013, the Management Plan (MP) of Arpa PL was developed by WWF-Armenia, in cooperation with UNDP/GEF CEPF and the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia (MNP).
AEF contributes to social-economic development of the target communities through promotion of eco-tourism, processing and marketing of products produced in the communities, participatory range and habitat management.
AEF main filed activities include also implementation of awareness raising programs on biodiversity conservation, ecotourism development and finding solution to the most acute community problems.
“Arpa” EF is funded by WWF and CNF for protection and Management of “Arpa” Prodected Landscape.
What do we do?
The Foundation aims to support the sustainable development of biodiversity, to protect and reproduce the endangered species of flora and fauna in Armenia, to promote the development of eco, agro-tourism and other tourism sectors, to support the development of agriculture and the introduction of the new technologies.
AEF sets up patrolling system in the area of Protected Landscape which resulted by at least 30% increase of population of bezoar goat.
AEF main filed activities include also implementation of awareness raising programs on biodiversity conservation, and finding solutions to the most acute community problems.
Social entrepreneurship
The Foundation carries out business activities, by providing tourism services in “Arpa” protected landscape and selling souvenirs in the shop of the visitors center. The revenue from nature tourism and the souvenirs shop are fully channeled to environmental protection.
The new task of Arpa EF is the establishment of dry fruit production as a source of alternative livelihood for the targeted communities within the protected landscape.
