Synopsys Armenia Plants another 1,000 Trees in Yerevan as Part of Corporate Social Responsibility Program

More than 5,000 trees planted to date in partnership with ATP, contributing to a healthy environment in Yerevan

YEREVAN, Armenia, Oct. 19, 2013 – Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), a global leader providing software, IP and services used to accelerate innovation in chips and electronic systems, today announced that, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, about 600 employees of Synopsys Armenia CJSC, members of their families and 200 students of the Synopsys Armenia Education Department (SAED) planted 1,000 thuya evergreen trees in the area surrounding Yerevan State University (YSU). Driven by the motto, “One tree for each employee,” Synopsys Armenia has planted more than 5,000 trees in nine years. Participants included Rich Goldman, Synopsys vice president of Corporate Marketing and Strategic Alliances; Anwar Awad, vice president of Engineering at Synopsys, Hovik Musayelyan, Synopsys Armenia director; Arthur Harutyunyan, Community Tree planting manager; and other Synopsys Armenia and ATP staff and executives.

Sponsored by the Synopsys for Armenia Charitable Foundation, the tree planting is a coordinated outreach effort and was conducted through the Synopsys Community Volunteer Program. The Armenia Tree Project Charitable Foundation (ATP) partnered with Synopsys by providing evergreen saplings from its Karin and Khachpar nurseries. ATP also prepared the planting plots and will monitor the planted trees as they grow.

Inspired by the success of the annual tree planting, Synopsys Armenia announced the launch of a new initiative, “Just One Tree” in May 2013. The initiative encourages information and communication technology companies operating in Armenia to plant just one tree for each employee as part of their CSR program. The trees will make Yerevan greener, establishing an urban forest and contributing to the healthier environment.

“Planting trees in Armenia for the past nine years has become a treasured annual tradition, a key activity of Synopsys Armenia’s social corporate responsibility program, and a great chance for our employees and their families work together for a good cause. It leaves a visible legacy, allowing Synopsys Armenia employees to watch the tree that they personally planted grow each year—and it reflects the growth of Armenia’s high tech industry,” said Rich Goldman. “We’re pleased to help restore Yerevan’s urban forest as a demonstration of Synopsys’s ongoing commitment to Armenia and our employees there.”

“This is the eighth year that Synopsys has collaborated with the Armenia Tree Project to plant trees in educational settings within Armenia. Synopsys and its employees will be planting 1000 arbor vitae (thuya) trees on the grounds of Yerevan State University,” said Tom Garabedian, ATP managing director. “Synopsys' continuing commitment to Armenia's educational sector highlights the importance of higher education to the future of Armenia, and the magnitude of this planting effort demonstrates the concern of Synopsys and its employees for the country's environment. We applaud Synopsys for its contributions to Armenia’s environment.”

“Synopsys Armenia strives to be a good corporate citizen by giving back to community investing in education and supporting a healthy environment,” said Hovik Musayelyan. “The benefits of our annual tree planting are not only making Yerevan greener and more beautiful but also seeding a CSR culture in Armenia in the business community. Every company and citizen should feel responsible for making Armenia a better place to live.”

“I feel lucky to be a part of Synopsys and to have an opportunity to participate in community events likes our annual tree planting,” said Lusine Hovhannisyan, fourth year Bachelor student and intern at SAED. “The trees we planted last year at SAED greet us every morning and it’s wonderful to know that we have contributed to making Yerevan a greener place.”