International Day of Forests
A UN-designated day raising awareness of the importance of forests to the planet and to human life, and encouraging global efforts for their conservation and sustainable management.
Date21 March
TopicEnvironment & Sustainability
Established2012
Ways to observe this day
- Join a local tree-planting campaign or plant a tree in your garden
- Reduce unnecessary paper and wood product consumption
- Learn about the state of forests in your country and the challenges they face
- Share a fact about the importance of forests for climate with people around you
On December 21, 2012, the UN General Assembly proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Forests, with the first official observance on March 21, 2013. The resolution responded to growing concern over deforestation and forest degradation worldwide, and their impact on climate, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions who depend directly on forests.
The day raises awareness of the vital role forests play in purifying air, regulating the water cycle, and providing habitat for roughly 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, in addition to absorbing large amounts of carbon emissions. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), together with the UN Forum on Forests, organizes annual events under a different theme, including tree-planting campaigns, awareness exhibitions, and school activities teaching children about the importance of forests, alongside local initiatives to curb deforestation and promote sustainable forest management.
