Introduction

Forests are not just a collection of trees; they are vibrant, living ecosystems teeming with life. From tiny creatures to towering trees, forests provide countless species with the habitats and resources they need to survive. These ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots, harboring an immense variety of planets, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.  Beyond that, forests have provided humanity with medicine for centuries—Quinine from Cinchona trees has treated malaria, and countless other forest plants have been used to treat ailments like cancer, anxiety, and pain. 

Forests are also vital to the survival of our planet. They act as the Earth’s lungs, absorbing carbon and releasing oxygen. More than 861 gigatonnes of carbon are stored in forests, making them one of the most important natural solutions to climate change. Beyond storing carbon, forests regulate rainfall, stabilize temperatures, and buffer the effects of global climate change. Without healthy forests, the planet’s ability to recover from environmental damage would be severely impaired.

Living in Harmony with Forests

The deforestation crisis arises from a widespread misconception that ecology and economics are at odds, leading to destructive practices like deforestation for agriculture, illegal logging, and infrastructure expansion. These actions convert forests from carbon sinks into carbon sources, emitting the very gases that drive climate change. Large-scale agriculture, including palm oil plantations, also wreaks havoc on forest ecosystems. We must live in harmony with forests, sustainably using their resources while preserving them for future generations.

Indigenous Knowledge: A Time-Tested Solution

For thousands of years, Indigenous communities have lived in balance with forests, stewarding over 25% of the world’s land and protecting 80% of its biodiversity. Their deep, ancestral knowledge, often referred to as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), provides sustainable forest management practices that are only now gaining wider recognition. One of these practices, planned burns, reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfires by safely clearing dead vegetation. Indigenous groups like the Hupa and Chumash in North America and Aboriginal peoples in Australia have practiced this for millennia. However, barriers such as lack of funding and political recognition still stand in the way of fully integrating these sustainable techniques. Supporting Indigenous-led conservation efforts is a crucial part of protecting global forests.

Supporting Community Forests

The Trust for Public Land helps ensure that everyone has access to green spaces by protecting forests and parks. Community forests, in particular, provide a variety of benefits—they preserve cultural heritage, foster economic growth through sustainable practices like eco-tourism and forestry, and educate the public on environmental stewardship. Supporting these forests not only helps the environment but also strengthens communities and improves quality of life. Find a community forest near you and discover how you can get involved.

How You Can Help

Forests give us so much—from oxygen to shelter to protection against climate extremes. In return, they need our protection. Whether you choose to volunteer your time, cast a vote for pro-forest policies, or donate to conservation efforts, your actions make a difference. Forests can regenerate, but it takes decades or centuries. Protecting the forests we have left is critical to ensuring the planet’s resilience for future generations.

Partner Spotlight: Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Grow Ahead

Our partner, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, works to protect and expand urban forests. While it takes decades for a tree to mature, even young trees actively absorb carbon and play a significant role in climate mitigation. These trees not only help combat climate change, but they also provide beautiful, shaded spaces for communities to gather. Supporting efforts to plant and maintain urban forests is one small way to make a big impact on the fight against climate change. 

Grow Ahead works with community organizations around the world to support projects that improve the environment and community livelihoods. Agroforestry is a way of planting crops and trees together to improve social, economic, and environmental benefits. Agroforestry “systems” help farmers restore water and nutrients to their soil, increase the production of food, and pull carbon out of the atmosphere.

Resources to Deepen Your Understanding of Forests 

We’ve gathered resources to help you dive deeper into the vital role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. These tools will expand your understanding and inspire you to take meaningful action.

Each Greener Winner will receive: 

• A Fold-Up Backpack made from recycled plastic bottles from Paravel, an environmentally and socially conscious company committed to the intersection of travel and sustainability.
• A pair of socks from Happy Earth, a Certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member committed to sustainable business practices and on a mission to create positive environmental change.
• A bag of Trail Mix from Frog Hollow Farm, where the health of all life forms—big and small—is nurtured. From the trees and the crew that tend to them, down to the billions of microorganisms in the soil, Frog Hollow Farm practices organic and regenerative farming.

Each Greenest Winner will receive: 

• A baseball hat from Happy Earth, a Certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member committed to sustainable business practices and on a mission to create positive environmental change.
• A Wash Pouch from Peak Design, a Climate Neutral B Corp that donates 1% to the Planet and the Conservation Alliance. Their mission is to make the best things, succeed at the expense of nobody, offset their environmental impact and use their voice to inspire positive change.