Environmental Conservation and Research Center

Acamedic Courses | History | Staff | Contacts | Publications | Educational Program for Public | Research and Conservation

Mission

The mission of the Environmental Conservation and Research Center is to work to protect Armenia ’s unparalleled and strategically important natural resources in all its biodiversity through research, education and public outreach.

Background

Our natural landscapes comprise a unique component of the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot, a region of relatively small geographic area but with a disproportionately large amount of the world’s plant and animal life. Armenia also contains native ancestors of many of the world’s domesticated food sources, such as wheat, barley, apricots, cherries, pears, plums, and almonds. The protection of these resources is critical for maintaining critical genetic variability of food plants.

History

In 1992, through the generous funding of Mr. Sarkis Acopian, the American University of Armenia (AUA) established a program in Environmental Science and Conservation to fulfill the mission of promoting sustainable development in Armenia. In 1997, the Sarkis Acopian Chair in Environmental Conservation was established to fund a faculty position overseeing research and academic programs. With the establishment of the Environmental Conservation and Research Center great progress has been made in educating the public and private sector concerning environmental issues in Armenia. One of our first initiatives was to create the Birds of Armenia project. The documents that are a result of that effort include The Handbook of the Birds of Armenia I1999), a reference map for the birds of Armenia (1999), and a Field Guide to the Birds of Armenia (in Armenian, 1999). As part of the mission of the ECRC, one course that addresses environmental issues is required for all students in all our Master’s degree programs. We also offer a certificate program in environmental science for second year AUA students. Our research and education programs focus on issues of conservation, ecology, environmental contamination, remote sensing and GIS, and sustainable development in Armenia. By July, 2008 the ECRC will move into a new AUA building with a new analytic laboratory and additional facilities for research and education.
The ECRC also includes components of community service in our research through educational outreach programs, involvement of citizens in data-gathering activities, and collaboration with local scientists and organizations.