This year, as Türkiye celebrates the 101st anniversary of the Republic, we invite you to leave your mark on a campaign that honors the past while shaping the future—an opportunity to help build a greener, more sustainable world for generations to come.
Together with the Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF), Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), is partnering with the Çeşme Agricultural Development Cooperative and Payda Association to launch the Çeşme-Hatay Mastic Tree Bridge Project.
Through your generosity, we can breathe new life into a region devastated by disaster, bringing hope, fostering resilience, and empowering local communities—especially women. As key contributors to agriculture and the local economy, women will play a vital role in this project, gaining new opportunities for leadership and financial independence through sustainable mastic tree cultivation.
Why Mastic Trees Matter
It is possible to characterize the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus) as an environmental, cultural, and economic lifeline. Indigenous to the Mediterranean basin, mastic trees have been cultivated for over 2,500 years in regions like Çeşme, Türkiye and Chios, Greece, where the dry, sunny climate provides ideal conditions for their growth.
What makes this project especially meaningful is that Hatay, located in southern Türkiye, also boasts a similar Mediterranean climate—making it an ideal environment to reintroduce mastic trees. This not only ensures the long-term sustainability of the project but also creates an opportunity to restore the natural ecosystem of an area scarred by disaster.
Rebuilding Hatay: Growth, Resilience, and Opportunity
This project to plant 101 mastic trees is about more than just environmental restoration. It’s about revitalizing Hatay—a region devastated by the February 6th earthquakes—and creating opportunities for sustainable economic development. By establishing Hatay as a new hub for mastic tree cultivation, we’re offering the community a way to rebuild livelihoods through agriculture and tourism.
With your support, we can plant hope, restore ecosystems, and contribute to the efforts in building economic resilience in Hatay. Every donation goes directly toward planting, maintaining, and protecting these trees, ensuring they flourish for years to come.
Your contribution will go beyond being a gift for the present—it will be a lasting investment in the future. With every dollar you give, you’re planting the seeds of hope and supporting environmental restoration where it is needed most.
The Environmental and Economic Value of Mastic Trees
Combating climate change: Mastic trees play a crucial role in capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂), contributing to the fight against climate change. Their deep roots improve soil structure, enhancing carbon sequestration and fostering healthier soil ecosystems over time.
Erosion prevention and ecosystem restoration: Mastic trees are renowned for their drought resistance, thriving in dry, rocky environments where other plants may struggle. Their root systems stabilize the soil, helping to prevent erosion and maintain ground moisture, which is essential for areas like Hatay that are vulnerable to environmental degradation. Additionally, mastic trees attract a variety of birds, insects, and pollinators, helping to restore biodiversity in the region.
Supporting local economies through agriculture and tourism: Mastic resin, known as “mastic gum”, is a highly sought-after product used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and traditional medicine. This creates sustainable income opportunities for rural communities through resin harvesting. Regions known for mastic cultivation, such as Çeşme and Chios, have also become eco-tourism hubs, attracting visitors interested in local products and artisanal crafts. The same potential exists for Hatay, providing the community with a path toward economic recovery after the earthquakes.
