Galleries and Museums to visit
National Gallery of Armenia (Yerevan)
2. Republic Square, Yerevan (+374-10) 58-08-12, 56-18-12
The floors above the National History Museum contain the National Picture Gallery. Start by taking the elevator to the top, then descend through the huge collection of Russian, Armenian, and European works. (Source: RDA)
Children's Art Gallery (Yerevan)
13 Abovian Street, Yerevan
Armenia has long been famed for its artists, sculptors and stone-carvers, and children are brought up to love art. For this reason the world’s first Children’s Picture Gallery (No. 13 on the corner of Abovian Street and Sayat Nova Street) is of interest. When the modern artist David Siqueiros visited the gallery he called it "a true festival for the children of the planet". (Source: Yerevan Guide)
Contemporary Art Museum (Yerevan)
7 Mashtots Street, Yerevan (+374-10) 53-56-61, 53-53-59
The Museum of Modern Art occupies the ground floor of No. 7. Frequent exhibitions of works by Armenian and foreign artists are held here, always attracting many lovers of painting, drawing and sculpture. (Source: Yerevan Guide)
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Armenia deforestation
Armenia is desperately trying to combat deforestation. Two organizations emerged after the energy crisis of 1992-1995 in which people combed the forests for firewood. They are Armenian Forests NGO and the Armenia Tree Project.
For both projects, the ultimate goals are to eliminate deforestation and to reforest areas which have already been depleted. This is a difficult task; however, seeing as the amount being replanted is minimal if compared to the amount being cut down. Another problem is cyclical in nature. Deforestation eventually leads to topsoil erosion. Without topsoil, any sort of agricultural rejuvenation projects are unfeasible.
In Armenia , success is slow but sure. The Armenia Tree Project works both with small community-based tree-planting programs and with Armenian Forest NGO to replant Tsitsernakaberd Park . Community based programs coax families to plant 1,000-3,000 seedlings during a period of 18 months. For each seedling that becomes a sapling, the family is paid fifty cents. This enables each participating family to supplement their incomes by $500 which is three times more than the average family makes. In Tsitsernakaberd Park , a method known as coppicing has resulted in a 100% survival rate and extensive re-growth.
Most recently, organizations have turned to the media in order to attract the attention of Armenia 's youth. Each year, thousands of trees are cut down to be exported as timber although this is environmentally unsound. Eighty percent of Armenia is now at high risk for desertification in a matter of fifty years. Through advertising campaigns on billboards throughout the nation, environmental groups will look towards the future and help prevent the destruction of Armenia 's forests.
Source: stop deforestation!!!!!
