Deforestation/Reforestation Information Center

Global deforestation might be the biggest environmental threat we face. In addition to providing the essential raw materials for producing vital medicines, clothing, food products, and much more, forests capture several billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Destruction of our forests effectively extinguishes thousands of plant and animal species, and the loss of global forests compromises human health and even survival significantly.

Forest Founders is passionate about protecting and restoring the world’s forests by supporting tree planting initiatives and raising awareness of the importance of the natural world to our health and wellbeing. The following resources will help you better understand the vital importance of our world’s forests, and what you can do to help them thrive.

• The health of forests throughout the United States is under significant threat due to a variety of human-induced factors. From wildfires, to deforestation, to invasive species, acres of forest throughout the U.S. are disappearing at an alarming rate. The United States Forest Service website offers the latest information about the challenges our forests face. https://www.fs.usda.gov/
• Agricultural practices have a tremendous impact on the health of our forests. Active deforestation and land clearance have reduced the number of U.S. forests dramatically over the previous decades, while the effects of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides have put diverse wildlife at significant risk. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers the latest information about climate, conservation, and how to certify as an organic grower. https://www.usda.gov/
• Protecting our global forests is among the most important steps we can take to combat climate change and preserve the health and vitality of native wildlife. Biodiversity is essential to ensuring the sustainability and strength of global forests. BioFriendly Planet is a great resource that offers information about how you can work to protect the health of our forests, and how lifestyle changes can significantly lower your resource consumption. https://biofriendlyplanet.com/
• For 50 years, we have celebrated Earth Day by raising awareness of different environmental causes and encouraging people to live more sustainable and ecologically responsible lifestyles. The Earth Day Network Website offers environmental education resources as well as ways to join in the fight against climate change. https://www.earthday.org/
• Global rainforests are responsible for sequestering more than one billion metric tons of harmful CO2, yet they are being destroyed by fires, deforestation, and climate change-related natural disasters. MongBay offers an educational resource for everyone of every age who wants to learn about the importance of rainforests. https://rainforests.mongabay.com/
• Deforestation is among the top drivers of climate change, yet we continue to engage in practices that threaten our most precious resource for preserving the health of our planet. Reforestation not only promotes biodiversity, but it also offers communities in underdeveloped, deforested regions the resources they need to rise out of poverty. Eden Reforestation Projects develops and executes programs that help support underserved communities by paying local people a living wage to plant trees. https://edenprojects.org/#
• Tropical rainforests capture more CO2 than all of the world’s boreal forests combined. Ensuring the health of tropical rainforests is critical to protecting the planet from the devastating effects of climate change. Reforest the Tropics is a carbon offset initiative that plants trees to create natural and highly effective carbon capture systems. https://reforestthetropics.org/
• Large-scale reforestation efforts have the power to reverse the climate crisis even without reducing industrial CO2 output. However, proper reforestation techniques are critical to achieving our climate goals. Reforestation World connects global organizations with a common interest in reforestation with the goal of collaborating to create strategic reforestation efforts. https://www.reforestationworld.org/
• Forests throughout the world are dwindling. It is estimated that 80,000 acres of open land – much of its forest cover – are converted to other uses every day. The loss causes irreparable environmental harm by displacing and threatening the survival of wildlife, reducing biodiversity, and causing the encroachment of wild animals into human habitations. Trees for the Future works to restore thousands of forest acres, helping to support communities in underdeveloped regions that have been adversely affected by large-scale deforestation. https://trees.org/
• Tree cover is essential to the health of our environment, but it also helps keep us physically and emotionally healthy. Simply walking among trees can reduce stress levels and encourage feelings of calmness and contentment. Oregon Forest Management offers an informational site that celebrates beautiful regional forests, raises awareness of local forestry issues, and provides land management resources for landowners. https://oregonforests.org/
• If you’re interested in the health and preservation of forests throughout the United States, you might be interested in learning more about preserving our national forests and grasslands. The National Forest Foundation has a long and respected record of service – from working to keep waterways clean, to planting trees, to conserving existing forests, this organization has helped halt the destruction of our forests significantly. https://www.nationalforests.org/
• The world’s forests might be our best weapon in the fight against climate change, yet we are nonetheless destroying approximately 80,000 acres of valuable forest cover every day. For more scientific information about the climate crisis, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers valuable online resources for better understanding the role deforestation has played in the climate crisis. https://www.climate.gov/climate-and-energy-topics/deforestation
• Conserving global forests could be the greatest contribution to environmental health and the reversal of climate change. Global Forest Watch monitors the condition of forests throughout the world, helping us better understand the health and conditions of diverse forests and how we can better allocate our preservation and reforestation efforts. https://www.globalforestwatch.org/
• Forests help human survival by purifying our air and water, encouraging precipitation, providing natural resources for food, medicines, and building materials, and even providing jobs in forestry and tangential sectors. However, we are losing tens of thousands of acres of global forest land per day. The World Wildlife Fund is dedicated to helping conserve forests by influencing governments and the private sector to engage in sustainable practices that do not threaten forest cover. https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation-and-forest-degradation
• One of the best ways to protect our forests is to encourage energy conservation and the reduction of product consumption. Although we might not consider ourselves conspicuous consumers, we use products that require harvesting natural resources every day – how many of them do we really need? Conserve Energy Future offers an abundance of articles about how you can live a greener, more sustainable life and better understand how your choices affect the environment. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/
• The Amazon rainforest is widely considered to be the Earth’s lungs. Without a healthy and thriving rainforest, we lose the ability to capture billions of tons of CO2 and countless plant and animal species perish, leading to devastating environmental and social consequences. Amazon Conservation works to employ technological innovation to empower local communities and provide the resources necessary to protect lands from extinction. https://www.amazonconservation.org/
• Rainforests are the most prolific carbon-capturing resources we have, but tens of thousands of acres of tropical rainforests are destroyed every day, displacing wildlife, threatening ecological diversity, and eliminating precious natural resources. The Rainforest Trust has saved tens of millions of acres of rainforest habitat and works with governments and communities to establish protected forest land reserves. https://www.rainforesttrust.org/
• Global rainforest deforestation is among the greatest environmental catastrophes, yet thousands of precious acres are destroyed every day through human activity and climate change-related natural disasters. The Rainforest Alliance works to promote partnerships between governments, farming communities, and businesses to encourage reforestation, conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices. https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/
• Rainforest preservation is critical if we are going to win the fight against climate change, and major corporations that encourage deforestation must be held to account. The Rainforest Action Network is on the front lines forcing environmental accountability from corporate polluters and executing campaigns that pressure famous brands into implementing eco-friendly business practices. https://www.ran.org/
• If you’re interested in learning more about the biggest threat to global forests, Forest News offers in-depth news coverage of everything that affects our forests. Its online platform publishes all of the latest information about policies, technological innovations, research, and events concerning global forests and forestry practices. https://forestsnews.cifor.org/