International Day of Forests

International Day of Forests History

International Day of Forests seeks to raise awareness about the importance of all types of forests and trees to our planet's survival and well-being. Established by the United Nations, it is aimed at educating individuals and communities about the benefits of sustainable forest management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests. While the day emphasizes the importance of forests for biodiversity, it also majors on the role they play in poverty eradication, economic growth, and food security.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Forests in 2012; since then, it has been a key instrument in promoting global education about the significance and contributions of forests. South Africa's diverse forest systems offer vital habitats for a range of indigenous plants and animals. These forests play a pivotal role in maintaining the ecological balance, supporting the economy, and contributing to the cultural and spiritual wellbeing of local communities. Additionally, South African forests are elemental resources for various sectors, including timber and non-timber products, tourism, and biodiversity conservation.

In South Africa, the International Day of Forests is observed through a range of activities including tree-planting campaigns, art and photo exhibitions, as well as panel discussions and symposia highlighting the value of forests and sustainable forest management. Communities, national and regional forest offices, and other stakeholders typically participate in these activities to promote forest conservation and sustainable usage. International Day of Forests occurs annually on March 21st.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 International Day of Forests in South Africa

• The 2026 global theme for this observance is Forests and Economies, focusing on how sustainable forest management serves as essential economic infrastructure by supporting jobs and driving the green economy.
• In South Africa, this international event coincides exactly with Human Rights Day, creating a unique national context where the right to a healthy environment is often highlighted alongside historical and social justice.
• Although natural forests cover less than 1% of the South African landmass, these indigenous pockets are among the most species-rich temperate forests in the world.
• It is estimated that approximately 27 million South Africans rely on medicinal plants for their primary healthcare, with many of these vital resources being harvested directly from forest ecosystems.
• The Modjadji Cycad Forest in Limpopo contains the world’s largest concentration of a single cycad species, Encephalartos transvenosus, which is a "living fossil" that predates the dinosaurs by millions of years and is central to the culture of the BaLobedu people.
• South Africa boasts the highest forest certification rate globally, with roughly 80% of its forestry landscape certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to ensure timber is produced according to strict environmental and social standards.
• Strategic forest conservation is critical for the country’s water security, as many of South Africa's Strategic Water Source Areas are located in mountainous forest regions that provide over half of the nation's surface water.
• Commercial timber plantations in South Africa historically played a counter-intuitive role in conservation by providing a renewable alternative for wood, which significantly reduced the logging pressure on fragile indigenous forests.
• Specialized habitats within the forestry sector are vital for the survival of the Southern Ground Hornbill, a culturally significant bird often referred to as the "Thunder Bird," which relies on the mixture of grasslands and tall trees found in these landscapes.
• Government initiatives like the Ten Million Trees Programme continue to use this day to promote the planting of indigenous trees in urban and rural areas to combat the effects of climate change.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for International Day of Forests

Top things to do in South Africa 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!
• Go Hiking in Hogsback: Hogsback in the Eastern Cape is known for its forests and mountains. This region holds many trails and hikes suited for all types of hikers, and the Indigenous forest is an experience to behold.
• Read a book to learn more about Forests in South Africa:
  Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - by Braam Van Wyk and Piet Van Wyk
  The Garden Route and Little Karoo: Between the Desert to the Deep Blue Sea - by Leon Nell