International day of forests - secondary resources

The United Nations General Assembly announced that 21st March would be the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organise activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. 

The theme for 2023 is "Forests and health” focusing attention on all the ways in which healthy forests will bring about healthy people. Forests purify the water, clean the air, capture carbon to fight climate change, provide food and life-saving medicines, and improve our well-being. 

These resources, aimed at secondary-aged pupils, explore:-

• the factors which put pressure on forested areas, and what is being done to protect them
• the role trees play in supporting other plants and animals in the environment
• how much carbon trees sequester, and how the amount of carbon sequestered by a tree changes during its lifecycle
• the presence of vitamin C, an antioxidant, in the different parts of different plants
• the range of careers that involve working in, and managing, forests and woodland areas