March 21: International Day of Forests

International Day of Forests, celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.

The following slides share the work and legacies of Indigenous forest defenders and the ongoing battles against extraction, deforestation, and displacement. Since this year’s theme is Forest Economies, we wanted to highlight the various ways communities are uplifted through Indigenous stewardship and systems of trade that counter harmful industries.