Vayots Dzor
Restoring connected forests, grasslands and rivers for wildlife and communities.
Vayots Dzor is a volcanic landscape of forests, grasslands and river corridors in southern Armenia. These interconnected ecosystems provide habitat for globally important wildlife, sustain water resources, support traditional livelihoods and offer opportunities for nature-based recreation.
However, habitat degradation and fragmentation, unsustainable grazing, barriers to wildlife movement and changes to river flows are reducing ecological connectivity across the landscape. These pressures affect both wildlife and the natural systems on which local communities depend.
Building on the long-term conservation experience of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and its partners, this project will restore and reconnect habitats across the landscape, strengthen protection and management of the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge, and support the recovery of key species. By combining habitat restoration, improved water management, community engagement and nature-based economic opportunities, the project aims to create a more resilient future for both people and nature in Vayots Dzor.
Vayots Dzor region, Armenia, Southern Caucasus
Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC)
Ongoing since 2026
US$4,993,050
230,800 ha
Forest-grassland mosaics, native forests, grasslands, riparian corridors and river ecosystems
Persian leopard, bezoar goat, Armenian mouflon, bearded vulture, cinereous vulture, Egyptian vulture
Water provision and retention, harvested wild goods, cultivated goods, nature-based recreation
Why this place matters
This landscape provides habitat for species like the bezoar goat.
The forests, grasslands and rivers of Vayots Dzor form one of Armenia’s most important ecological networks. The landscape supports species including the Persian leopard, bezoar goat, Armenian mouflon, Eurasian otter and several threatened vultures. It also provides water, food and other natural resources, while supporting traditional livelihoods and opportunities for recreation.
However, ecological connectivity across the landscape has been reduced by habitat degradation and fragmentation. Grazing pressure can limit vegetation recovery, while infrastructure such as pipelines may obstruct wildlife movement. Altered river flows and water abstraction associated with small hydropower developments can also affect freshwater and riparian ecosystems.
The project offers a significant opportunity to reverse these trends at landscape scale. The project will restore forests, grasslands and river corridors, improve water management, and expand the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge. Collaboration with local communities, including sustainable grazing agreements and support for nature-based enterprises, will help restoration deliver lasting environmental, social and economic benefits.
Action on the ground
The project is restoring forest, grassland and freshwater ecosystems while strengthening protection, improving ecological connectivity and supporting sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
will be reforested with native tree species using climate-adapted restoration techniques.
will be restored along priority river corridors using native vegetation and erosion-control measures
Establishing hydrological monitoring stations and improving river flow monitoring to support sustainable water management.
Supporting community training, conservation agreements and nature-based businesses that link restoration with local livelihoods.
will be restored through assisted natural regeneration, grazing management and long-term vegetation monitoring.
expansion of the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge, supported by strengthened governance and ranger patrols.
Strengthening wildlife monitoring, restoring ecological corridors and assessing opportunities for Armenian Mouflon recovery.
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