International Day of Forests 2026
awarenessSunday, March 21, 2027
187 days from today · next occurrence
About International Day of Forests
The International Day of Forests arrives every March 21, established by the United Nations to spotlight the woodlands that quietly run the planet's life-support systems. Forests cover about a third of the world's land surface, shelter roughly eighty percent of terrestrial species, and anchor the water cycles, soils, and climate patterns that agriculture and cities depend on.
The day is jointly coordinated by the UN Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization, which release a new theme each year alongside films, photo contests, and planting campaigns. Countries use the occasion to report progress on sustainable management and to announce new protected areas.
For individuals, the day is a straightforward invitation: plant a tree, learn which forests your paper and furniture come from, or simply walk a local woodland trail with fresh appreciation. Forests are among the few climate solutions that plant themselves, given the chance.
When is International Day of Forests?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | March 21, 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | March 21, 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | March 21, 2028 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | March 21, 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | March 21, 2030 | Thursday |
History of International Day of Forests
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Forests in December 2012, consolidating earlier observances such as World Forestry Day, which had been celebrated on March 21 since 1971 at the initiative of European forestry groups. The resolution called on governments and organizations to arrange tree planting and education campaigns each year. March 21 was kept deliberately: it fits the seasonal transition in both hemispheres, when attention naturally turns to growth and renewal. Since the UN adoption, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests has organized an annual ceremony at UN headquarters in New York, and member states have paired the day with reforestation pledges and new forest legislation.
How to Celebrate International Day of Forests
- Plant a native tree in your yard, school, or community with proper permission.
- Take a walk in a local forest and learn to identify three tree species.
- Choose FSC-certified or recycled paper products for your home and office.
- Watch a documentary about rainforests or boreal forests and share what you learn.
- Support a reforestation nonprofit or join a local tree-planting volunteer event.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the International Day of Forests?
- The International Day of Forests is observed every year on March 21, a date set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012.
- Is the International Day of Forests a public holiday?
- No. It is a UN awareness observance, not a public holiday. Government offices and businesses stay open, though forestry agencies often run public events.
- How do people celebrate the International Day of Forests?
- People celebrate by planting trees, joining guided forest walks, attending educational events, and supporting sustainable forestry initiatives in their communities.
- What was the day called before 2013?
- It built on World Forestry Day, observed on March 21 since 1971, before the UN General Assembly consolidated and renamed the observance in 2012.