International Day of Forests

International Day of Forests History

International Day of Forests seeks to create awareness about the importance of all types of forests. This occasion emphasizes the critical role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. They preserve biodiversity, promote human livelihood, and combat climate change by regulating atmospheric gases. Importantly, International Day of Forests aims to educate communities worldwide about environmental conservation, particularly forest-related ecosystems, and to promote their sustainable management and use.

The inception of International Day of Forests can be traced back to 2012 when the UN General Assembly proclaimed this observance to celebrate and preserve the world's green mantle. For Americans, this observation carries substantial significance because the U.S. is home to various forest types spanning across the nation, providing incalculable environmental, social, and economic benefits. America's forests play a key role in carbon sequestration, thus actively contributing to the fight against global climate change. They also support numerous livelihoods through timber production and recreation, attracting millions of visitors annually to national parks.

In the United States, International Day of Forests is observed through various activities such as tree-planting initiatives, forest conservation projects, and educational programs in schools and communities. Awareness campaigns on social media platforms and other digital domains are also prevalent, engaging a wider audience in creating a green world. It's also a significant day for policy advocacy, fostering discussions nationally on sustainable forest management. International Day of Forests takes place annually on March 21, making it a day in America and around the world to reflect and ponder about the ever-increasing need for forest conservation and sustainability.

Facts about International Day of Forests

• The theme for International Day of Forests in 2025 was Forests and Food, and in 2024 it was Forests and innovation: New solutions for a better world. In 2023 the theme was Forests and health.
• According to the World Bank, forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75% of the world’s accessible fresh water. This water is made available for domestic, agricultural, industrial, and ecological use.
• According to the UN, approximately 1.6 billion people worldwide depend on forests for their livelihood.
• According to the UN, there are about 4.06 billion hectares of forest remaining which cover about 30% of Earths landmass.
• Nearly one-third of the world's largest cities get their drinking water directly from protected forest areas. Forests act as natural filters for water by removing particles from it such as metals and nitrogen.
• The development of civilization and industry in general has always shown itself so active in the destruction of forests that everything that has been done for their conservation and production is completely insignificant in comparison - Karl Marx

In the News and Trending in the US for International Day of Forests

Top things to do in the US for International Day of Forests

• Watch the 2020 International Day of Forest's virtual program if you missed it.
• Share your favorite photo of a forest or plant with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN by emailing it to idf@fao.org. The UN will add it to a combined gallery of everyone’s pictures around the world!
• Watch a movie that advocates for the protection of forests or showcases their rich biological diversity. Here are our suggestions:
  Earth (2007), FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992), and Wild (2014).
• Read a book that advocates for forest conservation. Here are our suggestions:
  The Sibley Guide to Trees
  The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring
  Forest Ecology