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.

Top 10 Facts for International Day of Forests in 2026

• The official theme for the 2026 observance is Forests and Economies, which highlights the critical role of forest ecosystems in driving global prosperity through sustainable management and nature-based solutions.
• Forests contribute an estimated $44 trillion to the global economy, representing more than half of the world's total gross domestic product through essential services like water regulation, soil stability, and carbon storage.
• A highlight of the 2026 celebrations is the UNECE event Grown by Nature: A 360° online journey from trees to skyscrapers, which showcases the wood-based revolution where renewable materials replace carbon-intensive steel and plastic in urban architecture and fashion.
• Nearly one-third of the world's largest cities, including major metropolitan hubs, rely directly on forested protected areas for a significant proportion of their drinking water.
• Beyond timber, an estimated 5.8 billion people worldwide utilize non-wood forest products such as medicinal plants, resins, and wild foods to support their daily livelihoods and nutritional needs.
• Despite covering only 31 percent of Earth's land surface, forests provide a habitat for 80 percent of all terrestrial biodiversity, including over 60,000 different tree species.
• The United Nations will host a high-level panel at its headquarters on March 24, 2026, to explore how innovative finance and governance can better reflect the true economic value of forests.
• The global Tree Cities of the World program, a joint initiative by the FAO and the Arbor Day Foundation, will recognize new urban centers that demonstrate exceptional leadership in managing and expanding their urban tree canopies.
• Global initiatives like the Bonn Challenge and the Great Green Wall are working toward restoring hundreds of millions of hectares of degraded land to bolster both environmental and economic resilience.
• Indigenous Peoples and local communities currently manage approximately 54 percent of the world’s remaining intact forests, which are critical for carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation.

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