The United Nations General Assembly (UN) declared 2011 the International Year of Forests (IYOF).
IYOF was a global platform to celebrate people’s actions to sustainably manage the world’s trees and forests. The objectives were to reverse loss of forest cover, enhance economic, social and environmental benefits, increase areas of sustainably managed forests, and to mobilize increased financial resources.
Sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, the official U.S. campaign focused on why trees and forests are important to Americans, and why our citizens should care about their upkeep, health and survival. The overarching goals were to:
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Increase awareness of and elevate the conversation about the importance of trees and forests in the U.S. and the benefits they provide.
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Celebrate people’s action to sustainably manage forests.
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Raise awareness of sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests to new audiences.
American citizens were encouraged to organize events nationwide to celebrate America’s trees and forests. From nature walks and trees plantings to a hearings on Capitol Hill, families, coworkers and friends were celebrating America’s trees and forests throughout 2011. For ideas on how you can continue the celebration long past 2011, visit the Celebration Ideas page or look at our Events Archive to see all of the events that took place in the U.S. during the International Year of Forests.
For more information on the UN’s global celebration, visit www.un.org/forests.
The U.S. celebration of IYOF had the tagline, “Celebrate Forests. Celebrate Life.” Forests truly are something to celebrate: they filter our air and water, provide cooling shade in the summer, beautify our cities and towns, provide critical habitat for a myriad of wildlife, contribute to forest-based economies, and, best of all, they provide us with opportunities to connect with the natural world.
NASF is a non-profit organization comprised of the directors of forestry agencies in the states, territories and the District of Columbia of the United States.
