Shenavan, Armenia, January 2026
From donation to ecosystem
In the spring of 2024, a largely unused plot of land in the village of Shenavan, in Armenia’s Lori region, underwent a major transformation. Thanks to your support, what was once an open field has become the starting point of an ambitious project: to create a living agroforestry system where trees, crops, water, biodiversity, and the local community can grow together.
Funded by A Tree for You donors and implemented with support from Shen NGO, the seven-hectare site was carefully prepared: fencing, gates, access road, information board, drip-irrigation system, and poplar trees planted to serve as a protective windbreak. Each step laid the foundations for a sustainable landscape – made possible thanks to your commitment.
Restoring the land while cultivating
From the very first season, local residents involved in the project received agroforestry training and played a important role in implementing the project. As early as 2024, 7,500 trees were planted. Oats and beans were sown between the young trees.
More than 15,000 trees planted in 2025 … and plenty of patience
In 2025, more than 15,000 young trees and shrubs were put in the ground: currant, dogwood, hazelnut, wild fruit trees and, most recently, a row of 1,000 pines separating agricultural and forest areas. In total, more than 22,500 trees have now been planted in Shenavan, thanks to the active involvement of local communities.
As is often the case in restoration projects, the journey has not been without its challenges. Some plantations suffered, especially during periods of drought. But every difficulty was met with practical solutions: dead saplings replaced, planting pits improved, and new replanting work planned for the spring of 2026. Your donations not only fund trees – they also support learning, adaptation, and perseverance.
Protecting what is growing
Grazing pressure from livestock has posed a major challenge. On several occasions, animals damaged the fencing when trying to break into the nearby ravine. Repeated repairs and installing an additional 1,000 metres of barbed wire have helped better protect the site. Further steps include introducing a solar-powered electric fencing system (“electric shepherd”) in 2026. Harmless to animals, it will keep the young plantations safe representing a key investment to secure the long-term impact of your support.
Difficult summer, stronger community
The summer of 2025 was exceptionally hot and dry in this part of Armenia. While some plantations suffered, this critical period served to strengthen dialogue and shared responsibility between the community and Shen NGO. Together, they reaffirmed their commitment to the site. At the same time, encouraging signs appeared: the poplars grew vigorously, the blackberry bushes thrived along the ravine, and wild rosehips naturally colonised the land – proof that nature responds when given the opportunity.
A learning site for future generations
In October 2025, the site became a real open-air laboratory for students from Spitak State College. Guided by specialists from Shen NGO, they learned the fundamentals of agroforestry, soil protection, and water management. Thanks to your support, the project is now growing far more than trees: it is transferring knowledge, values, and a sustainable vision for the land.
Looking ahead to 2026, together
At the end of 2025, Shenavan was no longer simply a project – it was a landscape in the making. A living space shaped by cooperation, learning, and resilience. The year 2026 will be decisive: bolstering fencing, continuously improving irrigation, more planting, and regular site monitoring. Each step will build on your ongoing commitment.
Thank you!
None of these achievements would have been possible without you. Supporting this project means trees are being planted, and much more besides: you are helping restore land, strengthen a local community, and create an inspiring system for restoring agroforestry. On behalf of the Shenavan community and Shen NGO, thank you for your trust and generosity. The roots you help plant today will bear fruit for generations to come.
